Crew Dragon's astronauts already arrive at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, just before the historic launch takes place this week. Digital Trends reported that all the four members, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, Michael Hopkins, and Soichi Noguchi of Japan, made a touch down in Florida and gave their short speeches before answering some of the news media members' questions.
Friendly reminder that Crew-1 is:
ONE WEEK AWAY. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience & its Falcon 9 launch vehicle are at LC-39A, the Crew-1 astronauts travel to Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, a Falcon 9 static fire is expected Monday, and dress rehearsal is expected Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/5lVoMLlEkq — Jamie Groh (@AlteredJamie) November 7, 2020
According to Florida Today's latest report, they used a chartered Dassault Falcon 900 jet to arrive into Kennedy Space Center's former Shuttle Landing Facility on Sunday, Nov. 8.
They used the jet since NASA's own Gulfstream jet was not operating because of scheduled inspections.
Although the winds and rains are strong, which were caused by the outer bands of Tropical Storm Eta, KSC Director Bob Cabana, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, still conducted a welcoming briefing on the flight line.
Crew Dragon's astronauts proudly arrive in Florida
NASA live-streamed their arrival aboard a jet.
"It feels really good to be here," said Hopkins, Crew-1 mission's commander, as reported by Florida Today.
First Commercial Rocket to Orbit Space-The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley lifted off at 3:22 p.m. EDT Saturday May 30 2020 on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. pic.twitter.com/rFLBeTqYXm — Pop Culture 2020 (@PopCulture20201) November 4, 2020
"We're ready. We've spent the last couple of weeks fine-tuning our training and we've also had an opportunity to spend a little time at home with our families," he added.
Crew Dragon spacecraft's first operational flight will be the six-month Crew-1 mission to the ISS (International Space Station).
Will Crew-1 take off on Saturday?
Hopkins said that SpaceX is planning to test fire Falcon 9's Merlin main engines on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Elon Musk's space company previously faced an issue, which is caused by the buildup of a protective masking lacquer in Falcon 9's valve.
However, since it is forecasted that Eta will bring stormy weather to the Space Coast through the week, it is still unclear if SpaceX and NASA will send off Crew-1 on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The National Hurricane Center explained that the tropical storm could gain strength and reach hurricane status as it moves west. It is also expected to weaken as it approaches the west coast of Florida.
For more news updates about Crew Dragon and other missions of SpaceX, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
This article is owned by Tech Times.
Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
