SpaceX's first crewed flight to the ISS will take place on May 27

[Polycount]

Highly anticipated: After months and years of preparation, SpaceX and NASA are finally ready to take a major leap forward in the space industry. SpaceX's Crew Dragon rocket has had its fair share of troubles over time, but it's finally stable enough to launch two astronauts (Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken) up to the International Space Station.

It won't be a long trip, with the astronauts scheduled to return home after about 14 days on the ISS. However, it will be an important moment for SpaceX nonetheless. It will prove that not only is the Crew Dragon capsule itself viable for space transport, but also that the company is equipped to handle the stressful burden that comes with safely transporting human beings to space and back.

BREAKING: On May 27, @NASA will once again launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil! With our @SpaceX partners, @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken will launch to the @Space_Station on the #CrewDragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Let's #LaunchAmerica ?? pic.twitter.com/RINb3mfRWI

— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) April 17, 2020

The launch is now scheduled for May 27, after a couple of delays. It'll be the first crewed mission launched by NASA in quite some time, and we'll be following it closely -- there's a lot riding on this mission's success. If it works out, SpaceX will be allowed to start performing more regular crew transportation missions between the ISS and Earth. The first "proper" mission of that nature is tentatively set to take place later this year.

That mission will transport four astronauts (for now; more could be added later) to the ISS for a six-month-long mission, but it will likely be delayed or canceled outright if this upcoming crewed launch test doesn't go well.

However, we have no reason to assume the worst: after a few early missteps, the Crew Dragon spacecraft has aced its more recent tests, and it seems to fairly safe now. Either way, be sure to stay tuned on May 27: we'll likely be covering the craft's first true launch live, and we'll do our best to provide access to the official livestream, or a recording.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/84878-spacex-first-crewed-flight-iss-gets-may-27.html

 

[Vulcanproject]

Someone has got to be the first I suppose. I wish them the best of luck and a smooth journey.

 

[Uncle Al]

Hard to believe this generation of astronauts will go for something that is so automated. Having the ability to take "manual control" was a huge issue in the beginning of space flight, all the way through the shuttle series but as things change I suppose the automation has earned respectability ..... still ....

 

[Mugsy]

While this will be huge, I was *really* hoping NASA was going to adopt "Sierra Nevada's" mini-shuttle.

The idea of going back to "splash downs"... the method used 60 years ago... seems like a HUGE step backwards.

 

[TomSEA]

While this will be huge, I was *really* hoping NASA was going to adopt "Sierra Nevada's" mini-shuttle.

The idea of going back to "splash downs"... the method used 60 years ago... seems like a HUGE step backwards.

Agreed, but having a shuttle-like spacectraft is exponentially more expensive and weight limiting as one of these "taxi cabs." The Soviet Soyuz spacectraft currently used to shuttle people to the ISS also makes hard landings.

 

[Damocles]

All clever stuff. Hope it all goes according to plan. Bet old Musk will have a few sleepless nights during the lead-up to this momentous flight - I certainly would!

 

[toooooot]

Scary. Especially after hearing about their problems with this device. Even if those were during planned tests.

 

[captaincranky]

All clever stuff. Hope it all goes according to plan. Bet old Musk will have a few sleepless nights during the lead-up to this momentous flight - I certainly would!

You're assuming Musk has a conscience, whereas I'm a bit skeptical that he does.

I'm suggesting that the only thing he's worried about is his bottom line, should the mission "go south".

This mission has exponentially more gravitas than his public flop when they tossed a bowling ball through the "bulletproof windows", of his butt ugly "Cybertruck".