This weekend, the first manned rocket launch from U.S. soil since 2011 will take place. Astronauts have not been included in a NASA rocket launch since the Space Shuttle Program ended.
The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th, but was called off just 16 minutes before the scheduled time, due to bad weather.
The next launch opportunity is Saturday, May 30th at 3:22 p.m., with a backup window of 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, will embark on a test mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The purpose is to help prove that the systems meet NASA’s requirements for certification to carry astronauts to the ISS and back.
The launch will take place from Kennedy Space Center, at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The launch is also historic as the first crewed launch in the Commercial Crew Program, a partnership between NASA and private industry.
You can watch it on NASA Live website as it happens.
The Discovery Channel and other special cable stations may also carry it — check your listings.
The historic rocket launch isn’t all that you can see on NASA Live.
More upcoming NASA events for space aficionados
Thanks to Charlotte on the Cheap for compiling these events!
- May 20th, 1 p.m. – Coverage of the launch of the JAXA/HTV-9 cargo chip from Tanegashima, Japan to the International Space Station; launch scheduled at 1:30 p.m. EDT – Johnson Space Center via Tanegashima, Japan (All Channels)
- May 21st, 11:05 a.m. – International Space Station Expedition 63 interviews with TBD and the Houston Chronicle with Commander Chris Cassidy of NASA regarding the upcoming SpaceX/DM-2 mission (All Channels)
- May 25th, 6:45 a.m. – Coverage of the Rendezvous and Capture of the JAXA/HTV-9 Cargo Ship at the International Space Station (Capture scheduled at 8:15 a.m. EDT) – Johnson Space Center (All Channels)
- May 25th, 9:30 a.m. – Coverage of the Installation of the JAXA/HTV-9 Cargo Ship to the International Space Station – Johnson Space Center (All Channels)
You can see the full schedule for NASA TV programming here.
In addition, NASA at Home offers videos, podcasts, ebooks, educational resources and activities.
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