SpaceX and Tesla are no track for a Saturday, March 2nd unmanned crewed dragon test flight.
New Flight Planning Dates
SpaceX Demo-1 (uncrewed): March 2, 2019
Boeing Orbital Flight Test (uncrewed): NET April 2019
Boeing Pad Abort Test: NET May 2019
SpaceX In-Flight Abort Test: June 2019
SpaceX Demo-2 (crewed): July 2019
Boeing Crew Flight Test (crewed): NET August 2019
Crew Dragon Capabilities, Specs and Engines
The SpaceX Dragon 2 will be partly reusable. SpaceX expects ten flights are possible before significant vehicle refurbishing is needed.
It will have a payload capacity of 3,307 kilograms (7,291 lb) Cargo Dragon 2. It will be able to carry seven astronauts.
It will use four main parachutes for water landing when returning from space.
SpaceX could develop propulsive landing using the SuperDraco engines. However, propulsive landing capability has not been funded and there is no current plan to use rockets on the return.
The Dragon 2 has a SpaceX-developed SPAM backshell and an updated third-generation PICA-X heat shield.
Weather continues to look good for the first #CrewDragon launch on Saturday with #SpaceX https://t.co/fvJgEakbNN pic.twitter.com/j3O69nCJ1o
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) February 27, 2019
Preparing to return human spaceflight capabilities to the United States, Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 went vertical at historic Launch Complex 39A in Florida. pic.twitter.com/igggZdCU9k
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 5, 2019
SOURCES- NASA, Twitter, SpaceX, Wikipedia
Written By Brian Wang
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.