SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has reached Max Q, or maximum dynamic pressure.
Max Q marks the moment of peak aerodynamic stress on the rocket. This happens as the vehicle is accelerating and climbing through thick lower atmosphere, creating a peak in the force of air pushing against the rocket’s structure.
At 5:24 a.m. EST, The Dragon spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9’s second stage and began flying on its own. The spacecraft is traveling at approximately 17,500 miles per hour (28,200 kilometers per hour). In less than a minute, the Dragon crew spacecraft nosecone open sequence will begin.
The spacecraft now is in orbit and will autonomously dock to the Harmony module’s space-facing port. The crew will soon open their visors and get out of their suits during the ride.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket reached Max-Q, the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket. Following this, first stage main engine cutoff occurred, and the rocket’s first and second stages have separated.
The rocket’s first-stage booster is scheduled to return to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida — marking the first time SpaceX has launched and landed a booster from the same launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Next, the Falcon 9’s second-stage engine will ignite to carry Crew-9 and the Dragon spacecraft closer to the International Space Station.
