NASA Sets Date For Crewed SpaceX Launch - AVweb

News Discussion
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NASA has announced that it is planning to launch the first crewed mission using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft at 4:32 p.m. EDT on May 27, 2020. The Crew Dragon will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard. According to NASA, the Demo-2 mission is intended to validate SpaceX’s crew transportation system including the launch pad, rocket, spacecraft and operational capabilities as well as allowing NASA astronauts to test the Crew Dragon’s systems in orbit for the first time.

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/space-flight/nasa-sets-date-for-crewed-spacex-launch
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I hope all goes well.
I can’t think of a more dangerous thing to do than first flight on a new rocket.

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What’s wrong with the “reply” software these days???

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In general Muskrat’s failure bring me joy, but he should not be allowed to beta test a rocket with astronauts aboard. His failures with safety at Tesla (fires, autopilot crashes) are bad enough.

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Let’s hope the coming mission disappoints you.

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I would be saddened if poor engineering cost any lives. The cars have been dangerous enough, this is why I don’t want to see aviation/space exploration rushed.

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It’s my fervent hope the Musk organizations aeronautical engineering teams are more centered on success than their automotive teams.

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A little quick research shows that Falcon 9 has had one in flight failure out of 86 launches. So it is high on the list in terms of reliability, but does not have a perfect record. I would go on that ride if I had the chance.

However, the Starship clown show in Boca Chica does make one wonder if they developed Falcon 9 under similar conditions. And, every time I watch an implosion video I have to wonder how in the heck it is going to withstand off-axis aerodynamic forces and other loads when transitioning from skydiving to tail landing.