SpaceX Manned Spacecraft Launch, Q2

SpaceX and NASA held a press conference on January 19 (local time) after successfully testing the Crew Dragon flight suspension system, and announced the mission and next steps. When asked about the mission schedule in which the astronauts actually board, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, gave the approximate schedule.

He said that the hardware required for the first launch will be ready by the end of February, but there is still a lot of work left to check all the hardware thoroughly, and there is a relationship with the International Space Station ISS schedule, so it is necessary to decide the appropriate time. As of now, hardware preparations will be in the first quarter, and it is likely that February will be the most likely, but the first manned launch is likely to be carried out in the second quarter as it is expected to be completed by March at the latest.

NASA’s Aerospace Commissioner Jim Bridenstine, referring to NASA’s position, said there may be several factors that will affect the timing of the actual mission with initial preparations. From NASA’s point of view, several decisions have to be made. He said that if the first astronaut’s mission period could be short or long, further training would be needed to ensure that the astronauts actually stay on the ISS if it could be long.

The decision will take place in a few weeks, he said, and that whether the first mission will be a short or more purposeful long term will be affected by the schedule and training needs of the astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon, and the launch timing is likely to change. . Related information can be found here .