The Crew-2 launch is proceeding as planned to launch at 5:49 am ET, in about 40 minutes. Watch on SpaceX.com or NASA.gov.
As a reminder, this is first crew launch with "flight proven" booster and spacecraft. This Falcon 9 launched Crew-1 in Nov and the Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavour, was used for Demo-2 last spring. #Crew2
Countdown proceeding as planned. T-6 minutes to launch at 5:49 am ET. #Crew2
Future Space Leaders webinar beginning: spacecommerce.tv/events/Future-…
Rep Don Beyer (D-VA), Sen John Hickenlooper (D-CO), chairs of the H and S space subcommittees; Bhavya Lal, NASA Acting Chf of Staff; Ellen Stofan, Under Sec for Sci and Research, Smithsonian
Stofan (who was NASA Chf Sci few yrs ago): re NASA and Earth sci research, need to reflect on how much NASA has done already, but renewed emphasis on climate in Biden Admin. Priorities set out in Decadal Survey. Use data to understand climate change and make us resilient to it.
Stofan: beyond Earth, incredibly exciting how close we are to answering the question of "are we alone." That's why #NASAPerseverance#Ingenuity are there. Europa, Enceladus, Titan, JWST coming up. Not govt v cmrcl, it's "everybody on deck," a global effort.
Cmte Chair Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA) praises her friend Sen Nelson and his nomination as NASA Administrator.
"I have to say I was surprised last week" by the HLS announcement and I'll be asking questions about that.
They've added a third nomination to the hrg today, of Leslie Keirnan to the Gen Counsel of Dept of Commerce (which includes NOAA).
At Crew-2 Countdown Clock briefing, KSC Director Bob Cabana confirms delay to Friday due to winds downrange even tho weather at KSC will be beautiful. Launch time Friday is 5:49 am ET.
Jurczyk: President Biden called the crew earlier this week and said his grandson asked when he will be able to go to Mars.
Hiroshi Sasaki, JAXA: So happy two JAXA astronauts will meet together at ISS
[Soichi Noguchi is already there; Aki Hoshide is on Crew-2]
Wish all great success.