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International Space Station

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    Falcon 9 Second Stage Engine Shuts Down

    NASA Insignia

    After about nine minutes of flight, the Falcon 9’s second stage has shut down and the Dragon spacecraft now is in orbit, where it will soon separate from Falcon 9’s upper stage and continue its journey to the International Space Station. Momentarily, the rocket’s first stage will attempt to land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 …

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    Liftoff! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Begins Journey to International Space Station

    SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, lit up Florida’s night sky, as NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, started their approximately 28-hour journey to the International Space Station on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission. Liftoff occurred at …

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    Up Next: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Liftoff

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

    Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, with NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick; Michael Barratt; and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin is now just five minutes away. Everything is proceeding according to schedule, and all is looking good for the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to …

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    Propellant and Liquid Oxygen Loading Underway

    NASA Insignia

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fueling has begun. Rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading is underway. A few minutes from now, fueling will begin for the second stage. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. Liftoff …

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    Crew Access Arm Retracted

    NASA Insignia

    The crew access arm has retracted, and momentarily the Dragon spacecraft’s launch escape system will be armed. This will allow the Crew-8 crew members to escape safely in the unlikely event of an anomaly from the moment the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off until the time they reach orbit – a timespan of roughly …

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    Dragon is ’Go’ for Launch; Falcon 9 Fueling Underway

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    The confirmation that Dragon is “go” for launch just came through. In just a few minutes, the Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will be loaded with rocket grade kerosene, called RP-1, and liquid oxygen. Then, the second stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen.

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    Liftoff Now Just an Hour Away

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Dragon spacecraft on top is seen during sunset on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-8 mission, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    The SpaceX closeout team has left the crew access arm, which will soon retract away from the Dragon spacecraft. Launch, set for 10:53 p.m. EST, is now a little less than an hour away. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron now predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at …

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