The United States return to the space in full force! Elon Musk’s company SpaceX aiming at sending men and women in space has successfully launched the Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday May 30 at 9:22 p.m. (CEST), and successfully docked the ISS – International Space Station on Sunday May 31.
A launch French people could even watch in the sky and they even saw the pod. In Paris, it could be seen from 11:16 to 11:18 p.m. as a small light dot in the sky. Onboard, two American astronauts, Douglas Hurley, and Robert Behnken for a moment of history. They board ISS at 4:16 p.m.
This is the astronauts’ program this Sunday:
· 4:27 p.m. (CEST): mooring SpaceX pod to the ISS
· 6:45: hatch opening between the spacecraft and the ISS
· 7:15: welcome ceremony
· 9:15: press conference of the Nasa at the Johnson Space Center
Relive our live coverage here:
This is the first time in human history @NASA_Astronauts have entered the @Space_Station from a commercially-made spacecraft. @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have finally arrived to the orbiting laboratory in @SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/3t9Ogtpik4
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
“I just wanted to find out if you guys got any sleep on your way up there?” Administrator @JimBridenstine asks @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug about their overnight trip on @SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour from Earth to the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/rQdW09Mr86
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
7:23 p.m. – “They made it!” the NASA joyfully tweets.
The two astronauts are finally in ISS after two hours of checkups.
6:21 p.m. – The ISS is about to welcome the two astronauts. Only 30 minutes left before the hatch opening.
We are half an hour from the hatch opening between the @SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft and the @Space_Station. @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are preparing to join the crew of our orbiting laboratory. pic.twitter.com/uqEfWpna9S
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
4:28 p.m. – Why does the hatch not open after mooring?
Pressure between the pod and the station but be equalized to enable astronauts to exit it. Countless checkups are ongoing to guarantee everyone’s safety. NASA and ISS members wish both astronauts welcome..
They will equalize the pressure between both spacecraft.
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) May 31, 2020
4:16 p.m. – Successful docking!
The pod docked 10 minutes early. The hatch opens in over an hour.
Docking confirmed! @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug officially docked to the @Space_Station at 10:16am ET: pic.twitter.com/hCM4UvbwjR
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
4:06 p.m. – ISS is just 150 meters away.
Head on view of the space station from the @SpaceX #CrewDragon less than 150 meters away. pic.twitter.com/sHYR4VuaBD
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) May 31, 2020
4 p.m. – The pod will autonomously dock in 15 minutes.
Ready to dock.
Dragon will autonomously dock with the @space_station in ~15 minutes → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/Aa3LMa8OTA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 31, 2020
3:04 p.m. – Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken are suited up and ready to dock.
.@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are suited up, strapped in their seats and ready to be welcomed by the crew aboard the @Space_Station. Watch @SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft make its way to our orbiting laboratory: https://t.co/bXCGg5kzBB
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
2:59 p.m. – The pod is about to reach the space station, Crew Dragon ahead.
Cameras on the @SpaceX #CrewDragon spot the station less than 500 meters away. #LaunchAmerica | https://t.co/yuOTrYN8CV pic.twitter.com/IPa4kYrlzp
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) May 31, 2020
2:30 p.m. – A picture that will surely make the history of the space conquest by Americans.
.@NASA
— Nonna2016 ✝️ 💜🎖🎖🎖🇺🇸 (@50_Shades_of_Q) May 31, 2020
Awesome shot of @POTUS watching #CrewDragon on liftoff! #SpaceX #SpaceLaunchLIVE #SpaceForce pic.twitter.com/YvfqyWYUoD
2:20 p.m. – the pod has fired its engine and begun its approach.
The @SpaceX #CrewDragon has fired its engines and begun its approach to the station. https://t.co/yuOTrYN8CV pic.twitter.com/eYkkp47Sdk
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) May 31, 2020
2:09 p.m. – NASA is streaming live Crew Dragon docking the station.
1:54 p.m. – Message from the United-States Ambassador in Iceland to the two American astronauts…
Hey @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug, how does America's tremendous friend, the amazing #Iceland look from up there? @NASA @SpaceX 🇺🇸🇮🇸 https://t.co/diywL22yGY
— Ambassador Gunter (@USAmbIceland) May 31, 2020
1:40 p.m. – ISS is preparing Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken’s arrival.
Happening Now: Teams are preparing for @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug to arrive at our orbiting laboratory. Here’s a look at @Space_Station preparations for the crew’s arrival: pic.twitter.com/xYyYkA06P6
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
12:51 p.m. – Message from the astronauts on Crew Dragon.
Tune in to hear @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug on Crew Dragon and for live views of Earth → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/P5nxAyAJFn
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 31, 2020
12:40 p.m. – Crew Dragon docking: meet at 4:27 p.m.!
Docking streaming live, planned at 4:27 p.m. (CEST).