SpaceX astronauts christen their spacecraft with meaningful names after maiden flight to the ISS

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Elon Musk's space company SpaceX sent a manned rocket to the ISS - the astronauts successfully docked. You can find out all the latest news from space here.

Update from August 2, 10:20 p.m.: The historic mission was successful. After more than two months at the ISS in space, the two NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken landed safely in their SpaceX capsule "Endeavour" in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

SpaceX: That's why the astronauts named their spacecraft Dragon Endeavor

Update from June 1, 9:02 a.m.: It is the first time in nine years that a US spacecraft has docked with the international space station ISS has. 400 kilometers above the earth, the Space X's crew made history on May 31, 2020. According to tradition, astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are allowed to name a spacecraft that has made a maiden human flight. The two decided on "Endeavour", naming their space capsule "Dragon Endeavor". The second name was almost lost on the mission en route to the ISS, but it is significant.

Also read: 'Potentially Dangerous': High-rise Asteroid Comes Close to Earth

"Dragon Endeavor" is the second manned US spacecraft after the Space Shuttle that has transported astronauts to the ISS, writes Nasa on its website. On board the "Endeavour" the crew will probably return to earth in a month, that's the plan. Endeavor will undock from the ISS and then enter Earth's atmosphere. The "Endeavour" will land off the coast of California with four parachutes in the sea.

Why the two US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken named their spaceship "Endeavour" is very personal. "We both had our first flights on the Shuttle Endeavor and it just meant so much to us to carry on that name," Hurley told US media. On the other hand, Nasa and SpaceX and the USA would have made tremendous efforts to get this project off the ground.

"Endeavour" was the name of NASA's last space shuttle. In 2012, the decommissioned space shuttle was transferred to Los Angeles on the back of a jumbo jet. Thousands of people followed the last voyage of the "Endeavour", the route also led over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

SpaceX: US astronauts float into the ISS

Update from May 31, 7:27 p.m.: The connection to NASA is established. The US astronauts are doing well, they say - they survived the journey well.

Jim Bridenstine congratulated the astronauts via Twitter. “The whole world has seen this mission. We are so, so proud for everything you have done for our country - and ultimately inspired the world as well," he wrote.

Update, 7:23 p.m .: Now the greeting on the ISS. Handshakes and hugs follow. Then there is a group picture of the five men. Pride and relief can be seen on the faces of the astronauts.

Update, 7:05 p.m.: Do the astronauts bring some kind of "gift" to the ISS? That should show up as soon as the greeting takes place. The procedure is now complete on the Dragon capsule side.

Update, 7:01 p.m .: The time could soon come: The two US astronauts are about to open the last door and enter the ISS. There will probably be a special ceremony.

SpaceX: Historic moment - Musk rocket docked at the ISS

Update, 6:02 p.m.: Russia's space agency Roskosmos has its US colleague at NASA and the entrepreneur Elon Musk for the successful docking of the "Crew Dragon" - space capsule at the International Space Station congratulated. "Bravo!" Roscosmos boss Dmitry Rogozin wrote to his colleague Jim Bridenstine, head of the US space agency NASA, on Twitter. "I know how excited you were that this big event would be a success," Rogozin said. He conveyed best wishes to Musk. "I look forward to further cooperation," continued Rogozin. A short time later, the tech billionaire already had the next mega project up and running - the symbiosis between humans and computers*.

SpaceX: Historic moment - Musk rocket docked to the ISS

Update, 5:16 p.m.: The maneuver has not only gone without errors so far, but also earlier than originally planned. The "Dragon" was originally supposed to arrive at the ISS at 4:29 p.m. However, it was already at 4:17 p.m. Then the docking maneuver began. However, further steps could still take some time.

Update, 4.55 p.m .: Behnken and Hurley are to remain on board the ISS for around a month. The US astronaut Christopher Cassidy and the Russian astronauts Anatoly Ivanischin and Ivan Wagner are already stationed there. They are scheduled to return to Earth in October.

Update, 4:46 p.m .: The US space travelers Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley docked at the ISS after a flight of around 20 hours with the "Crew Dragon" space capsule. The maneuver has so far been flawless. Before the hatch can be opened, some preparations are still required.

Update, 4:33 p.m.: The astronauts are conducting system checks. The capsule is docked at the station. It is now part of the ISS.

Update, 4:28 p.m .: ESA Director General Professor Jan Wörner speaks on Phoenix, where the SpaceX maneuver is currently being broadcast live. "The citizens are for astronautics," says Wörner, "they are also for space exploration. A large majority supports that.”

Update, 4:25 p.m.: The SpaceX astronauts have been intensively prepared for the maneuver, it is said.

Update 4:20 p.m.: The first moment of successful docking is in full swing. Then the "hard docking" is carried out. The connections are made.

Update, 4.15 p.m .: There was a first "go" for the docking push to the ISS. The maneuver is very "sensitive", according to the broadcaster Phoenix, which broadcasts the process live.

SpaceX: Musk rocket on the way to the ISS - historic moment NOW live

Update, 3:57 p.m.: It won't be long now: the docking maneuver at the ISS is scheduled to open at around 4:15 p.m be transmitted to the transmitter Phoenix. Will everything continue to go according to plan? The voltage increases.

SpaceX: Rocket flies to the ISS - Elon Musk speaks at a press conference about the Mars colony

Update, 3:14 p.m.: People around the world are following the progress of NASA's space mission around technology pioneer Elon Musk with excitement. Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 - at the age of 31 and with 100 million euros of his private fortune. The company now has over 8000 employees.

Now - after a long time, which also includes setbacks - he will soon reach an important stage. The rocket should soon dock with the ISS, Elon Musk tweeted - and a beautiful shot showing a view of the earth from the rocket:

After congratulations had arrived from Russia that morning, Musk and representatives of the Russian space program have since teased. While Musk couldn't help but address Russia at a press conference on his triumph, a spokesman from Russia replied: "What should have happened a long time ago has now happened."

An inside joke also came to light: "The trampoline works," Musk had said to Russia - alluding to an earlier statement. At that time, Russian aerospace representatives had doubted the skills of the Americans, probably with the words: "The Americans can also transport their astronauts to the ISS on a trampoline."

SpaceX: Millions of people can follow NASA's space mission live

You can even follow NASA's Twitter account live to see how the two astronauts in the "Crew Dragon" are doing:

And the rocket can also be seen from the ISS:

Update 12.20 p.m .: Millions of people watched the start live on television on Saturday evening. The docking maneuver with the ISS space station can also be followed live. The Phoenix TV station will show live from 4.15 p.m.* whether everything is going according to plan here too.

Update 12.10 p.m .: Shortly after the launch of the "Falcon 9" rocket" there was a strange gesture* in the "Dragon 2" space capsule by astronaut Douglas G. Hurley. Here Merkur.de explains what was behind it.

Update, 11:24 a.m.: After NASA's successful rocket launch, Russia's space agency congratulated. On Twitter, the director of the space program, Sergey Krikalev, sent "greetings to the American colleagues". The launch of the manned rocket means new opportunities, also for international space travel. He, too, has high hopes for the success of the mission.

SpaceX: Elon Musk speaks of the Mars mission, Donald Trump of "America's ambition"

Update from May 31, 9:05 a.m.: After the successful launch of the rocket, SpaceX founder Elon Musk spoke visibly moved at a press conference: "I'm really emotionally very overwhelmed, it's hard for me to speak," Musk said. He had been working towards this goal for 18 years. "I think it's something for humanity to be excited about and proud of," he said, and he even went one step further: "Hopefully this is the first step on the road to civilization on Mars."

US President Donald Trump, who traveled to launch the rocket despite the corona restrictions, called the launch "heroic" and rated the achievement as epoch-making: "A new era of American ambition has now begun." Hope" and cause "to think about humanity" was how NASA boss Jim Bridenstine evaluated the launch of the Rakate:

He did have one caveat, though: "But we're not celebrating yet," Bridenstine said. "We're going to celebrate when they're safely home," he said, looking at astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, who were attending on board the rocket en route to the ISS.

SpaceX: "Crew Dragon" rocket makes its way to the ISS alone

Update, 9:55 p.m.: After the successful launch of a manned "Crew Dragon" to the International Space Station ISS, the first rocket stage is safe landed again on a ship in the Atlantic. The rocket stage successfully landed upright on the ship "Of Course I Still Love You" off the US coast a few minutes after launch on Saturday, the private space company SpaceX said.

Landing and reusing rocket stages and space capsules is an important part of SpaceX's strategy.

The "Crew Dragon" space capsule with the two US astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on board meanwhile successfully separated from the rest of the rocket and continued on its way to the ISS.

The two astronauts are scheduled to dock at the ISS on Sunday and stay there for around a month. It is the first time that SpaceX, a private space company, has transported astronauts to the ISS. The last time astronauts flew to the ISS in the space shuttle “Atlantis” was in the summer of 2011.

SpaceX: Rocket launched successfully and can also be seen in Germany

Update, 9.42 p.m.: It should even be visible: as the astronaut Alexander Gerst explains on Twitter, the SpaceX is also closed from Germany see.

SpaceX: Elon Musk succeeds in historic moment

Update, 9:35 p.m.: There is now hardly any risk for the astronauts, only docking with the ISS could still lead to problems.

Update, 9:26 p.m.: And they are actually on their way to the ISS - the decoupling of the rocket worked. Now nothing should stand in the way of the astronauts.

Update, 9:25 p.m.: "Everything looks very good, perfect!" explains Prof. Ulrich Walter at Welt. However, the decoupling of the rocket could still be a critical moment.

Update, 9:22 p.m .: An incredible image that SpaceX launches - Donald Trump also does not miss this historic moment on site.

Update, 9:22 p.m.: The time has come: the rocket starts!

SpaceX: Will the rocket launch?

Update, 9:22 p.m.: Just a few seconds until the rocket launches.

Update, 9:21 p.m.: And it's raining! As the live cameras show, it actually starts raining in Florida on the spot. Two more minutes.

Update, 9:19 p.m.: Three minutes left, there is still a green light. "The computers have taken over, no one can intervene anymore," explains Prof. Ulrich Walter to Welt. However, should a technical problem intervene, the computers could stop the launch immediately.

SpaceX: How safe is the rocket for the astronauts?

Update, 9:15 p.m.: "I would also like to sit in there," explains Prof. Ulrich Walter to Welt. If the ex-astronaut has his way, SpaceX is very safe. The NASA spokesman previously calculated the risk of explosion at 1 in 276.

Update, 9:14 p.m .: Just under eight minutes, then the rocket will rise into the sky. IF she is allowed to start. But there is already a good sign: the first attempt by SpaceX on Wednesday was canceled exactly 16 minutes beforehand.

SpaceX: Donald Trump wants to support Elon Musk on site

Update, 9:07 p.m .: As Steffen Schwarzkopf explains from the world, Donald Trump also does not miss the events. The US President is said to have arrived on site about an hour ago.

SpaceX: The launch of the rocket is imminent

Update, 9:02 p.m.: 19 minutes to go and the decision has still not been made as to whether SpaceX can really take off or not. The two astronauts are already in their seats, the rocket has been fully fueled. Only the weather could throw a spanner in the works for Elon Musk.

Update, 8:43 p.m .: As experts now explain in a live switch to Phoenix, the rocket will now be refueled again. The probability that SpaceX will actually be allowed to start in a few minutes increases to 70%. Accordingly, the weather situation on site would improve significantly.

SpaceX: US astronauts prepare and enter the rocket

Update, 8:34 p.m.: According to the head of the US space agency Nasa, US astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are ready for their launch to the space station ISS. "They are prepared, they are ready - but they are also relaxed," said Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine on Saturday in an interview that was broadcast on Nasa's live stream before the planned launch at 9:22 p.m.

Meanwhile, the two astronauts climbed into the Crew Dragon space capsule, were strapped into their seats and the hatch was closed. They are to launch a Falcon 9 rocket in a Crew Dragon space capsule to the space station.

One day later, they are scheduled to dock with the ISS and stay for around a month. It is the last flight test for the "Crew Dragon" developed by the private space company SpaceX - and the first time that a private provider has carried astronauts on behalf of Nasa.

SpaceX: Who is Elon Musk?

Update, 8:16 p.m .: Just under 60 minutes until the manned rocket is actually supposed to start. But who is the man behind the action? Elon Musk polarized just a few weeks ago with the birth of his son,* the name still causes confusion.

SpaceX: Elon Musk is playing with the risk - could the rocket explode?

Update from May 30, 7:43 p.m.: Elon Musk could actually make history with the launch of the manned SpaceX rocket scheduled for today. The entrepreneur wants to send the two US astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the ISS in the rocket. But how dangerous is the project for the two astronauts? In the worst case, can the rocket even explode and thus become a deadly trap?

Nasa spokesman Joshua Finch told AFP that the probability of "crew loss" on the planned mission is 1 in 276. The minimum required by NASA is 1 in 270.

SpaceX: Elon Musk has big plans - but the weather could thwart the plan

Update from May 30, 7:07 p.m.: Even before the second attempt to launch a flight by two US astronauts to the ISS space station, the weather forecast is good by the US space agency Nasa on Saturday. The risk of an abort due to bad weather conditions is 50 percent, said Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine before the start scheduled for 9:22 p.m. CEST.

But the team remains optimistic. “We are ready to start and we hope the weather will cooperate. We will use every opportunity we have.” Dark clouds could be seen over the Cape Canaveral Cosmodrome in the US state of Florida.

SpaxeX: Elon Musk wants to make history - is it today?

Update from May 30, 6:45 p.m.: Elon Musk's company SpaceX wants to write space history with the mission: If she succeeds, it would be the first manned flight by a private company to the International Space Station ISS and at the same time an important contribution to making the USA independent of Russian missiles again. But it is not yet clear whether the rocket can actually take off in a few hours.

The planned launch at 3:22 p.m. local time (9:22 p.m. CEST) could in fact be postponed again due to renewed poor weather conditions. According to the experts, the chances are 50:50. So it remains exciting!

SpaxeX: Elon Musk plans manned rocket launch

Update from May 30, 6:15 p.m.: After the first attempt on Wednesday was canceled shortly before the start, experts doubt a launch this evening. Will the start be canceled again at the last minute? This is how you see the rocket launch live on TV and in the live stream.* You can also find all the information here in our live ticker.

SpaceX: Elon Musk's rocket launch in danger?

Update from May 30, 5:46 p.m.: The hot phase has begun in Cape Canaveral. Unfavorable weather conditions again threaten to prevent the launch of the first manned US flight into space in nine years.

Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine said on Twitter on Saturday that preparations for the launch planned for this afternoon (local time) were proceeding as planned. "Weather uncertainties remain, however, the probability of a cancellation is 50 percent."

Actually, at 9:22 p.m. Central European Time, a Falcon 9 rocket from the company SpaceX with Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on board the "Crew Dragon" space capsule is to be launched into space from the spaceport in the US state of Florida. It is already the second start date (see below).

SpaceX: Elon Musk's rocket prototype explodes - launch questionable again

Update from May 30, 10:30 a.m.: Before the launch of the manned SpaceX rocket with space veterans Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, a prototype rocket exploded during a test in the US state of Texas. Videos are circulating online showing a rocket bursting into flames. It is said to be the "Starship" heavy-duty rocket - a different model than the rocket that is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral (Florida) on Saturday.

There has been no comment from SpaceX founder Elon Musk or the company. According to US media, however, there should be no injuries.

It is still unclear whether the incident in Texas will have consequences for the planned launch of the SpaceX rocket "Falcon 9". But the mission's weather may again thwart the plan (see update from May 30, 10:15 a.m.).

Already last Wednesday, when the launch had to be postponed, Jan Wörner, Director General of the European Space Agency ESA, said on Deutschlandfunk: "Such a rocket launch is a controlled explosion. So you have to be concerned.” There is always a risk.

SpaceX launch: Will the rocket flight be postponed again?

Update from May 30, 10:15 a.m.: In just under eleven hours, the "Falcon 9" rocket from the private company SpaceX, whose founder is a multi-billionaire Elon Musk is launching from Cape Canaveral Cosmodrome. This is the second attempt three days after the start was postponed due to poor weather conditions. But the chances of a successful implementation are obviously not good on Saturday either.

As NASA announced in advance, the chance of weather conditions suitable for a rocket launch* is 50 percent. According to this, however, a new attempt should already be possible on Sunday if the flight test cannot be carried out again.

SpaceX launch in Cape Canaveral: date fixed for second attempt

Update from May 28, 11:15 a.m.: The start of Elon Musk's SpaceX mission was eagerly awaited worldwide. However, bad weather temporarily stopped the first manned flight test of a US space capsule in almost nine years. The test on Wednesday was canceled just under a quarter of an hour before the start, according to the US space agency Nasa.

Many people would have said that this was not possible, said Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine in an interview before the launch attempt, which was ultimately postponed, as also reported by focus.de. "But SpaceX can do things that NASA has never done in its history," said Bridenstine, who described the mission as a "Herculean task."

The new date has already been set. As Jim Bridenstine announced on the Twitter platform, a second attempt would be made on Saturday. US President Donald Trump thanked NASA via Twitter and announced that he would be back on site on Saturday. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence traveled to the US state of Florida on Wednesday to watch the launch live on site.

Failure for Elon Musk: SpaceX's space premiere has to be canceled shortly before launch

Update from May 27, 10:43 p.m.: When will the "Falcon 9" next try to the ISS to get? The start is now scheduled for Saturday, SpaceX said on Wednesday after the abrupt end of the flight planned for Wednesday. A thunderstorm raged over the Kennedy Space Center in the morning and the US hurricane center warned of a tropical storm. The hatch had already closed behind the two US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken.

Start of Elon Musk's SpaceX mission aborted: Even Donald Trump was there

Update from May 27, 10:35 p.m.: The weather in Florida is too stormy and the "Demo-2" mission is canceled on ice for now. Why not just wait an hour for things to get better? This has to do with the coordinates of the ISS space station, which orbits the earth and would be out of range of the Falcon 9 rocket if the launch were delayed.

Update from May 27, 10:28 p.m.: Due to poor weather conditions, the manned space flight test has been postponed. About a quarter of an hour before the planned start, the test was canceled for the time being, as announced by NASA. Dark clouds could be seen over the Cape Canaveral spaceport and it was raining. According to the weather forecast, the chance of a launch had previously been 60 percent, as NASA had announced. A next start attempt could take place on Saturday.

SpaceX: Rocket launch aborted - "Falcon 9" has to stay on the ground

Update from May 27, 10:24 p.m.: The rocket is smoking and so far everything looks as if the rocket launch of the "Falcon 9 “ proceed according to plan. Or not? We get the news that the time cannot be kept.

Update from May 27, 10:11 p.m.: "Fun fact" on the side - both astronauts - Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken - are married to their own kind. Their respective partners are astronauts.

Update from May 27, 10:03 p.m .: Before the first manned test launch with a space capsule from his company SpaceX, entrepreneur Elon Musk assured the families of the two astronauts that he had done everything for their safety. When he met the families of Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley before the launch, he felt the responsibility of a manned test even more, Musk said in a joint interview with NASA boss Jim Bridenstine.

Hurley is married and has one son. Entrepreneur Musk, for whom a special compensation plan applies, gave birth to a sixth son earlier this month. So far, Musk has only brought cargo to the International Space Station with SpaceX.

"Falcon 9" before the start: Donald Trump raves about "friend" Elon Musk

Update from May 27, 9:57 p.m.: Donald Trump* is now live on site and speaks in a press conference other responsible persons. respirator? none. But the safety margin is given with the high-ranking personalities. The US President thanks his "friend Elon Musk" for the project and emphasizes the importance for US space travel.

Update May 27, 9:40 p.m.: Less than an hour until launch in Cape Canaveral! Shortly before the first planned space flight of two US astronauts to the ISS space station after a break of almost nine years, US singer Kelly Clarkson (38) contributed the US national anthem to set the mood. The performance was recorded via video in the live stream of the start. All you could see of Clarkson was her head in front of a wall. Due to concerns about the further spread of the corona virus*, access to the Cape Canaveral spaceport is severely restricted.

US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have announced their participation. Shortly after the anthem, the two astronauts were escorted to the launch pad and then strapped into their seats in the Crew Dragon. All technicians working around the astronauts wore masks.

SpaceX rocket just before launch: Weather conditions as a spoilsport for Elon Musk?

Update from May 27, 7:42 p.m.: Despite the uncertain weather conditions, NASA is holding the first manned flight of a rocket from the private company SpaceX to the International Space Station ISS. Jim Bridenstine, head of the space agency, gave the historic mission the “green light” for the time being on Wednesday afternoon (local time). However, should the weather* continue to deteriorate in the coming hours, the rocket launch could still be postponed to Saturday.

The two astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken should reach the launch pad shortly. The hatch to their space capsule is to be closed around two hours before the planned launch.

A thunderstorm raged over the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral this morning and the US Hurricane Center warned of a tropical storm forming further north off the South Carolina coast.

SpaceX: Elon Musk's "Demo-2" mission heads towards the ISS

Original article from May 27th:

On Wednesday evening, a serious milestone will take place for US space travel - and could have repercussions for the future of human history. At 10:33 p.m. (Central European Time) is the start of the first manned rocket from SpaceX - the company of the very rich entrepreneur Elon Musk*.

As the first private project, SpaceX is scheduled to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. The "Crew Dragon" space capsule contains two "veterans" of American space travel: Douglas Hurley (53) and Robert Behnken (49). The sensational mission is called "Demo-2".

SpaceX by Elon Musk: First manned flight into space

On the one hand, a successful mission for multi-billionaire Musk would be a milestone on the way to realizing his dream of one day transporting humans to Mars. Apart from that, the space adventure also means the USA's first trip to the ISS in almost ten years: the program was discontinued due to high costs and after two fatal accidents. Since the end of the space shuttle era in 2011, NASA astronauts have had to book their seats in Soyuz rockets from Russia.

Although the space agency NASA advised against the project, numerous onlookers have already traveled to the space mecca of Cape Canaveral (Florida) to follow the spectacle live when the "Falcon 9" rocket takes off towards the ISS.

To prevent corona infections, Nasa had asked space fans to follow the historic launch of the Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Dragon capsule on the Internet. US President Donald Trump, on the other hand, wants to follow him personally from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.

The mission will start at a memorable location: the first humans set out on the moon from ramp 39A. 19 hours later, the SpaceX "Falcon 2" space capsule is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station.

“Falcon 9”: Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket is the precursor to a mega-project

SpaceX has been bringing satellites into orbit for some time: the “Falcon 9” rocket has been taking on supply flights since 2012 ISS - but without people. The manned flight into space* on Wednesday evening (local time 4:33 p.m.) is a novelty. But: According to NASA, there is a 40 percent chance that the launch will have to be postponed due to bad weather. The next time window would be on Saturday.

In addition to Elon Musk's company, the US aviation giant and Airbus competitor Boeing has also been commissioned to build space shuttles. The Tesla boss intervenes in Earth orbit with another gigantic project. Astronomers warn of the consequences. In the long term, Musk plans to build the "Big Falcon Rocket" - with it he would like to one day create a human colony on Mars.

In July, comet Neowise can be seen in the sky with the naked eye.

PF

*Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editorial network.

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