So last night, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 did in fact yeet the Crew-1 Dragon capsule Resilience toward the International Space Station; it was a spectacular launch, and the photos are still rolling into social media, and all around the Space Coast, people are slowly waking up and perhaps wondering what to do with themselves now that the Big Event is past…
Tag: crew-1
Crew 1: T-1 Day Roundup
Today, Saturday the 14th of November, is not Launch Day. Tomorrow… so far, so good.
As announced yesterday, the NASA/SpaceX Crew 1 launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station has moved to Sunday, November 15th at 7:27 p.m. local time (GMT-5), and so, as everyone scrambles to change their plans, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
(At One Point) Crew One (Was) Proceeding On Schedule, Somehow
UPDATE: Crew 1 has slipped one day due to weather at the recovery location – to Sunday, as noted below. If you have Gray Line tickets, check your email for important re-booking information! -WP
Despite Tropical Storm Eta bouncing around the Gulf like a pinball, plans are still proceeding apace for the Crew One mission to the International Space Station, launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than Sunday, November 15th, at 7:27 p.m. local time (GMT-5), according to the Flight Readiness Review that concluded today.
STILL AVAILABLE: Crew-1 Viewing Opportunities at KSCVC Apollo/Saturn V
Brace yourselves – Crew-1 is coming! No, not on Halloween as originally announced – the launch is now set for Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 7:49 pm EST – but already, preparations are being made to cheer on the astronauts of Crew-1 as they head to the ISS.
THE BIG NEWS: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, working in cooperation with Gray Line Orlando, are offering transportation and launch viewing for the Crew-1 launch at the Apollo/Saturn V Center! Unavailable to visitors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Apollo/Saturn V Center will be the closest available viewing location for this launch, so you won’t want to miss out on this one! This premium viewing package will be available at a cost of $229 per person; more details are available at the link below.
Purchase tickets at the Gray Line Orlando site (click here!)
(Tickets are STILL AVAILABLE, get ’em while they last!)
After a temperature check, guests will board Gray Line buses from one of four locations in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista or Merritt Island, and be taken to Kennedy Space Center, where they will go through security and have a little time to explore the main complex before reboarding Gray Line buses to go to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. At the conclusion of the day, the buses will return directly to their departure locations.
This viewing package is an excellent opportunity for those who can’t easily make the drive out to the Space Coast, as well as, y’know, anyone who wants to see the launch from the best possible spot. We’ll have more info as it becomes available!
In addition to the Gray Line excursion above, KSCVC is also offering viewing at the main visitor complex’s Atlantis South lot (the Feel The Fun package, from the Atlantis north lawn, is already sold out). This location is 7.5 miles from the launch pad, and viewing of the launch will be obstructed at ground level by the treeline – but the atmosphere provided by Kennedy Space Center provides a fitting backdrop to such a momentous occasion. Those tickets are available at the Kennedy Space Center website (click here).
Be sure, in either case, to review the launch scrub policy carefully prior to purchase, and pay attention to the COVID-19 precautions in effect: masks will be required at these viewing sites, and temperature checks will be performed prior to entry.
We’ll have more information on other viewing locations and opportunities as the Crew-1 launch approaches, so be sure to check back soon. You can follow us on Twitter @LaunchRats to receive updates every time we post!