Demo Mission 2 – What to Expect
MAY 28, 2020–Demo Mission 2 (DM-2)’s first attempt was ultimately scrubbed, however, it brought the launch directly into the public eye. Millions viewed the launch attempt, so we’ve compiled some information as a viewing guide to help you get the best experience out of DM-2. NASA TV and SpaceX will be airing the launch on their respective channels, with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. EDT on NASA TV, approximately four and a half hours before launch.
The launch itself is scheduled for 3:22 p.m. May 30. Everything is currently GO, except for the weather. There is only a 40% chance of the weather being acceptable for launch conditions, as detailed below from a forecast provided by the 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force.
On the backup date, which is also listed, there is still only a 40% chance of acceptable weather conditions. If DM-2 is forced to slip and move forward, it will move to May 31. A secondary backup date is not currently known.
A full timeline of launch day can be found below:
[Click to expand – Demo 2 Timeline]
At 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, NASA will host a post-launch news conference on NASA TV. Docking is scheduled for 10:29 a.m. on May 28, with hatch opening at 12:45 p.m. and a crew event aboard the ISS at 1:05 p.m.
A post-docking briefing will occur at 3:15 p.m., and finally, on May 29, two more events are scheduled, a crew news conference with Cmdr. Chris Cassidy and DM-2 astronauts Bob Benkhen and Doug Hurley at 11:05 a.m., and then an in-flight event for SpaceX at Hawthorne to mark the arrival of the crew at 12:50 p.m.. All times are Eastern.
[Click to expand – Condensed post-launch timeline]
The two astronauts flying on this mission are Bob Benkhen and Doug Hurley. They are both former Shuttle astronauts with over 55 days of spaceflight time between them. More on each astronaut:
Bob Benkhen – Pilot
Robert L. “Bob” Benkhen, born July 28, 1970, is a two-time Space Shuttle astronaut and former Chief of the Astronaut Office. Bob flew on Shuttle missions STS-123 and STS-130, with 29 days 12 hours of spaceflight time and 37 hours 33 minutes of EVA time. Benkhen was also a Colonel in the Air Force, participating in the F-22 program, along with flying the F-15 and F-16.
Doug Hurley – Commander
Douglas G. “Doug” Hurley, born October 21, 1966, is a former Marine Corps pilot and two-time Shuttle pilot. Hurley piloted shuttle missions STS-127 and STS-135, which was the last mission of the Space Shuttle. Doug was also the first Marine to ever fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, and is a Colonel in the US Marine Corps.
We’ll be back with more coverage as the DM-2 mission progresses. Go Crew Dragon, Go Falcon 9, Go SpaceX!
