China News Service reported on May 28th that on the afternoon of May 27th local time, NASA planned to join hands with space exploration technology company SpaceX to send astronauts into space in the United States after an interval of 9 years. However, due to the bad weather, this historic mission was postponed to May 30 at the last moment before launch.
[NASA announces postponement of mission 10 minutes before launch]
The manned space launch mission was originally scheduled to begin at 4:33 pm local time on the 27th. Ten minutes before the launch, NASA said on the social networking site "Twitter" that due to the severe weather, the launch plan was postponed to 3:22 pm EDT on May 30.
On May 27 local time, the first manned trial of NASA's Commercial Manned Aviation Program (CPP) was delayed due to weather conditions. Before the launch plan was temporarily adjusted, the astronauts had entered the cabin. The picture shows the timer display before the launch adjustment.
US Consumer News and Business Channel said that shortly after the two astronauts boarded the spacecraft, the Kennedy Space Center Meteorological Station issued a warning of strong winds and thunderstorms. The astronauts left the spacecraft after staying in the cabin for 4 hours.
According to the plan, the "Falcon 9" rocket must be separated from the ground at 4:33 pm local time on the 27th, otherwise the astronauts would have no way to meet the International Space Station passing over the earth at a speed of 27,000 kilometers per hour.
"Falcon 9" is a two-stage rocket. The lower part will burn for two and a half minutes, after which the flame will be separated. Subsequently, the second section of the structure will burn for six minutes, sending the "Dragon Spaceship" into orbit. After separation from the rocket, the cabin will use its own propeller to complete the rest of the journey to the International Space Station.
The two astronauts involved in the mission were Robert Benken and Douglas Hurley. The two are experienced and each has been in space twice on a space shuttle. Hurley spent a total of 28 days and 11 hours in space, and Benken spent 29 days and 12 hours, including 37 hours of space walks. The spouses of the two are also astronauts.
[Trump says he will return to the space center to watch the launch]
On the 27th local time, US President Trump and First Lady Melania also arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Trump said he would return to the space center on May 30 to witness the launch of manned spacecraft. He wrote on social media: "Thanks to the hard work and leadership of American Aerospace and Space Exploration Technology, I look forward to returning to you on Saturday (May 30)."
On May 27 local time, the first manned trial of NASA's Commercial Manned Aviation Program (CPP) was delayed due to weather conditions. Before the launch plan was temporarily adjusted, the astronauts had entered the cabin.
Although this launch has important historical significance and has aroused widespread public attention, NASA Director Bridenstine and SpaceX founder Musk both said on the 26th that if there are any security issues, they will cancel the launch without hesitation. .
[Why is this launch important? 】
Since NASA's space shuttle retired in 2011, NASA has been paying tens of millions of dollars to Russia to use the Soyuz spacecraft to send their astronauts into space. If the "Dragon Spacecraft" is lifted from Florida, it marks the first time in nine years that a space astronaut has lifted off from the United States.
On May 27 local time, the first manned trial of NASA's Commercial Manned Aviation Program (CPP) was delayed due to weather conditions. Before the launch plan was temporarily adjusted, the astronauts had entered the cabin.
In addition, this will also be the first time a private enterprise has carried manned space. Talking about the US manned spacecraft space program can be described as twists and turns. In 2014, NASA commissioned Boeing and Space Exploration Technology to build the "Starliner" and the manned version of the "Dragon" spacecraft, respectively, but the first flight time of the two spacecraft was postponed several times from the originally planned 2017.
In March 2019, the "Dragon Spacecraft" completed its first test unmanned flight to the International Space Station. At that time, a dummy was carried on the spaceship. The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station and sent some supplies.
According to the plan, SpaceX should send American astronauts to the International Space Station in July. However, on April 20th, an explosion occurred in a test conducted at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, and the "Dragon Spaceship" was almost destroyed. Affected by this manned launch time was delayed.