Extravehicular Activity (EVA) #26 Preparation: In preparation for tomorrow’s planned EVA to Remove and Replace (R&R) the failed External (EXT) Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MDM)2, the crew performed the following tasks: Flight Engineer (FE)-3 Swanson and FE-5 Mastracchio performed final tool configuration. Commander (CDR) Wakata completed a tool audit. Wakata, Swanson and Mastracchio completed Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics …
SpaceX (SpX)-3 Dragon Ingress and Cargo Transfer: Dragon hatch was opened earlier this morning. The crew began cargo operations by removing the Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Heat Exchanger (HX) from the center stack. Double cold bags were removed ahead of schedule. Dragon unpack continued throughout the day. Hybrid Training Part Eight: Commander (CDR) Wakata …
SpaceX (SpX)-3 Dragon Capture/Berth and Ingress: The crew captured Dragon at 6:14am CDT today. During the approach, there were some minor Ultra High Frequency (UHF) comm dropouts, but the channel swap-overs were well within Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) time constraints. Berthing to the Node 2 Nadir port was performed by the ground teams. …
SpaceX (SpX)-3 Launch: SpX-3 launched from Cape Canaveral today at 2:25pm CDT. After launch there was a delay with pressurization in part of the propulsion system. Pressurization was completed later and SpX3 is proceeding toward capture on Sunday, April 20, at 6:14am CDT. Hybrid Training Part Seven: Commander (CDR) Wakata donned the Hybrid Training hardware …
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The single engine on the second stage is now lifting the Dragon spacecraft into orbit following the burnout and separation of the first stage and its nine engines. The rocket is about 50 miles high and traveling at Mach 10. The second stage engine, the same kind as those on the first stage, lit on …
The SpaceX rocket continues to pick up speed as it pushed high into space. The rocket just crossed through the region of maximum dynamic pressure, known as Max Q, and all the systems are working as planned.
Dragon is on the way to the International Space Station! The nine engines on the Falcon 9’s first stage ignited on time to lift the rocket and spacecraft off the ground. It will take about nine minutes for Dragon to reach orbit.
T-2 minutes, 30 seconds . . . The SpaceX launch director gave the go for launch. The Eastern Range operated by the Air Force also is ready for liftoff.
The support structure against the Falcon 9 rocket, called a strongback, has retracted to launch position.
