COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM

Teams at NASA and Boeing are still determining if they will try and launch the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft Wednesday.

NASA, Boeing and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have scrubbed the Aug. 3 launch attempt of the agency’s Orbital Flight Test-2 to the International Space Station.

The liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is now scheduled for Tuesday at 1:20 p.m. during an instantaneous launch window.

NASA astronauts Raja Chair and Doug Wheelock explain how commercial missions are paving the way for the return to the moon.

Boeing will once again attempt to test the capabilities of its Starliner spacecraft.

Boeing and NASA teams took part in a flight readiness review Thursday, one of the final steps before the Starliner spacecraft launches to the space station.

Almost two years after it failed to reach the space station, this could be the month Boeing's Starliner crew capsule paves the way toward helping more astronauts launch from Florida.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was secured to the Atlas V rocket Saturday morning ahead of its test flight to the International Space Station targeted for later this month.

Starliner is the name of the commercial spacecraft Boeing is building to carry astronauts to space.

Although the next flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule won't carry any astronauts, it will ferry one passenger to and from the International Space Station — Rosie the Rocketeer.

The next four astronauts launching on a long-term mission to the ISS are possibly blasting off on Oct. 31.

The Crew-1 mission astronauts arrived back on Earth early Sunday morning.

This launch date and time will only stick of it lines up with the space station schedule and range availability.

Cuong Tran, a NASA electrical engineer, moved to the U.S. at 14, overcoming adversity to land his dream job.

Plunging through the Earth’s atmosphere and splashing down by moonlight SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully returned three American and one Japanese astronaut to Earth following six months in space.

Four astronauts returned to Earth early Sunday splashing down in darkness off Florida’s Gulf Coast following a 6-month stay 200 miles above the planet.

The astronauts are set to undock from the ISS Wednesday and splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

NASA and SpaceX are promising more Coast Guard patrols and fewer pleasure boaters for this weekend's splashdown by four astronauts.

A breakdown of the timeline on launch day which actually begins Wednesday night ahead of Thursday morning's liftoff.

Boeing says it will be ready to fly in May but the launch will depend on scheduling.

Boeing announced Wednesday the repeat orbital test flight of its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will be pushed at least one week because of winter storm-related impacts and launch preparations. This will be the second attempt for Boeing’s Starliner OFT after a December 2019 test flight ended early following a computer timing error. More: https://t.co/FbW44dd6ss pic.twitter.com/x9nicAtibN — Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) February 17, 2021Boeing is now targeting no earlier than April 2. Prior to this flight, Boeing and NASA completed an extensive review of the ill-fated December 2019 orbital test flight, which ended 48 hours after launch. Following a full review of the test, Boeing could fly its first astronaut crew in December, according to NASA’s most recent timeline.

The members of the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station. Picture from left are NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet. The NASA, European Space Agency and Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) crew are slated to launch atop the Falcon 9 rocket from launchpad 39A no earlier than April 20 and travel to the International Space Station, where four other astronauts, who also arrived via SpaceX, will be waiting. The mission known as Crew-2 will include NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Additionally there is another Russian Space Agency Soyuz launch slated for spring with three astronauts headed to the ISS, meaning at some point there could be 11 astronauts on station together at the same time.

In December, Boeing officials said they were targeting March 29 but now the company is planning to repeat the orbital flight test on March 25. Additionally, a March 25 launch would mean there is room for Starliner to dock at the space station. Boeing teams recently mated Starliner’s crew module on the spacecraft service module at Kennedy Space Center. “Teams conducted a full software review and several series of tests to verify Starliner’s software meets design specifications,” the company said in a news release. Following a full review of the test, Boeing could fly its first astronaut crew in December, according to NASA’s most recent timeline.

Let’s take a look at just a few space milestones to be excited about in 2021. James Webb Space Telescope launchIn this photo from April 2015, NASA technicians lifted the James Webb Space Telescope using a crane and moved it inside a clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The James Webb Space Telescope is led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency. Artemis-1 launch from Kennedy Space CenterNASA¹s Space Launch System rocket will launch with Orion atop it from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's modernized spaceport at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA)NASA is in the final stages of testing its mega rocket known as the Space Launch System with the Orion spacecraft, now classified under the Artemis moon program.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Building on SpaceX’s first two successful flights to the International Space Station with astronauts, NASA has revealed the fourth round of people to fly commercial to the orbiting laboratory. Two NASA astronauts, Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn will be joined by European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer for the Crew-3 mission in the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. He was selected, along with 17 other NASA astronauts, to be among the first to step foot back on the lunar surface--hopefully in the next few years. Then in November, SpaceX again launched the Crew Dragon but this time with four astronauts-- three American and one Japanese. McArthur’s husband, Bob Behnken was on the first crewed test flight of Crew Dragon earlier this year.

Boeing and NASA announced March 29, 2021 for the next launch of the capsule designed to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. There won’t be any humans on this flight but it’s the final test before Boeing can launch astronauts for NASA. Boeing revealed the mission patch for OFT-2 slated for March 2021 (WKMG 2020)After an extensive joint investigation with NASA, Boeing officials say they are ready for orbital flight test 2, or OFT-2. The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft near the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. If OFT-2 goes well, Starliner will next launch three NASA astronauts, Nicole Mann, Mike Fincke and Barry “Butch” Wilmore.

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – ***11:16 p.m. Nov. 16, 2020 Update***SpaceX’s newly launched capsule with four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule pulled up and docked late Monday night, following a 27-hour, completely automated flight from Florida. ***Original***After a good night’s sleep for four astronauts -- three NASA and one JAXA --aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon in orbit, the crew will prepare to dock at the International Space Station late Monday. NASA and SpaceX have continued to stream live views from the space station and the Crew Dragon. The first return to human spaceflight from Kennedy Space Center happened in May with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.

The Dragon spacecraft nicknamed Resilience will arrive at the International Space Station about 27 hours after launch, around 11 p.m. Monday. The Dragon spacecraft launch escape system is armed. 4:58 p.m. Space fans ready to watch Falcon 9 launchPeople in Titusville at Space View park came out to watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch with four astronauts from Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 15, 2020. SpaceX suit technicians known as SpaceX ninjas, wearing all black, helped the astronauts get into the Crew Dragon spacecraft and into their seats. “We are fully booked tomorrow, too.”She said without the Crew-1 launch and the earlier SpaceX launch in May, her B&B might not have survived.

As the astronauts made their way outside the O&C building the national anthem was performed by country music artist Travis Tritt. This is the last time the astronauts will see their families in person for six months. 🚗Right on schedule, NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 crew is driving out to the launch pad. After a brief goodbye, the astronauts got into Teslas and began their 20-minute ride to the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A. News 6 and ClickOrlando.com will have complete coverage of the Crew-1 launch.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – SpaceX and NASA are now targeting Sunday to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center due to weather concerns. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed the 24-hour delay Friday afternoon, saying it was because of weather at sea and onshore winds. Should there be a launch abort, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft would shuttle away for a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, carrying the astronaut crew to safety. There are certain weather criteria that must be met on land for the rocket to launch and at sea in the event of an abort. “For NASA this booster and SpaceX this booster is very important for us.

Launch crew will arrive on console and the Dragon spacecraft will be configured for launch. 4:52 p.m. SpaceX teams will help the astronauts get into the Crew Dragon spacecraft and into their seats. The Dragon spacecraft launch escape system is armed. 7:26:30 p.m. SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch. 7:39 p.m. (+00:12:00 after liftoff): The Dragon spacecraft will separate from the rocket’s second stage 12 minutes after launch.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – SpaceX is set to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on Sunday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. News 6 will have team coverage throughout the countdown offering a unique experience with multiple views of the launch and countdown. Pick your own view of the launch here from Port Canaveral, Jetty Park or live from Kennedy Space Center. To follow minute-by-minute updates from News 6 reporters at Kennedy Space Center, be sure to check ClickOrlando.com/space on launch day. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, NASA and SpaceX have asked launch viewers to remain socially distant and wear masks.

Another milestone for SpaceX was also announced Tuesday as NASA has officially given the Crew Dragon spacecraft human flight certification. I’m extremely proud to say we are returning regular human spaceflight launches to American soil on an American rocket and spacecraft. A test flight in May with two NASA astronauts to the space station marked the first astronaut launch from Florida since 2011. DRAGON GETS FINAL NASA APPROVALSpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-1 mission arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. In addition to now flying astronauts, SpaceX has been making supply runs to the ISS for NASA for seven years.

The first astronaut launch from American soil happened earlier this summer despite the afternoon storms Florida is known for -- including a tornado warning -- and this time around as SpaceX prepares to launch its second-ever group of astronauts to the space station, launch teams are up against Tropical Storm Eta. [ MORE COVERAGE : Dragon riders: Meet the next astronauts to launch from Florida with SpaceX | SpaceX launches astronauts into orbit, returning human spaceflight to Florida]SpaceX launches astronauts for NASA and its international partners, under the commercial crew program, using its Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The astronaut crew have named this space vehicle Resilience, fitting for the trying times amid a global pandemic. pic.twitter.com/CduCZrsJPr — Troy Bridges (@TroyNews6) November 9, 2020Brevard County, home to KSC, remains in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Eta, which is near the Florida Keys Monday and forecast to continue meandering in the eastern Gulf of Mexico through Friday. When the four astronauts do launch, they will travel to the International Space Station and spend up to six months living and working in space.

The second-ever crewed launch of the private spacecraft will mark the first operation mission to the International Space Station for Dragon. NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken launched on the first Dragon test flight with astronauts to the space station in May and successfully splashed down in August, becoming the first Dragon riders and NASA astronauts to launch from American soil since 2011. Meet the international crew set to become the second round of Dragon riders below:Mike Hopkins, Dragon commanderIn October 2013, aboard International Space Station Expedition 37 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins prepares the Fluids Integrated Rack for an experiment. “I think you, if you want to be a leader in space, we need to be able to launch our own astronauts into space,” Hopkins said. Victor Glover, Dragon pilotNASA Astronaut Victor Glover during EVA training in 2014.

ORLANDO, Fla. – SpaceX was able to trace the cause of an issue with the Falcon 9 rocket detected in October leading to a launch abort and delaying the company’s next launch with NASA astronauts. The private company, along with NASA officials, provided an update Wednesday ahead of the next -- and second ever -- SpaceX launch with NASA astronauts, now scheduled for Nov. 14 from Kennedy Space Center. The company pulled the rocket engines and was able to duplicate the problem at its testing site in Texas. SpaceX is in the process of swapping two engines on the Falcon 9 rocket′s first stage being prepped to launch American astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi. There are several critical reviews that need to happen before launch, according to NASA, including the final flight readiness review NASA and SpaceX will conduct together.

NASA announced on Saturday that the launch of it’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station has been delayed until mid-November. The crew of Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Michael Hopkins and Soichi Noguchi were supposed to launch from Cape Canaveral on Oct. 31, but the launch was delayed to allow for additional hardware testing and data reviews, NASA announced. The crew will work on science missions and conduct spacewalks for six months once it arrives at the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Chris Ferguson, a former NASA astronaut, will no longer pilot the first crewed flight of the Boeing’s astronaut Starliner spacecraft, he announced Tuesday. Later that year, Ferguson joined Boeing’s executive team developing the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Breaking: Butch Wilmore to fly on the Boeing Starliner crew flight test alongside NASA Astronauts Nicole Mann (@AstroDuke) and Mike Fincke (@AstroIronMike). This marks the second crew change for the Starliner test flight. Boeing still has to repeat its uncrewed test flight to and from the space station before it can fly astronauts.

NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps will launch on the first operational mission of Boeings Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station, joining her fellow NASA crew members Sunita Suni Williams and Josh Cassada, the space agency revealed this week. Boeing is still working to certify its astronaut capsule to fly humans as part of NASA Commercial Crew Program. Epps will be part of the second astronaut flight for Starliner. Williams is a veteran astronaut who flew on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and during the Space Shuttle Program. Outside of being a NASA astronaut, Epps has an impressive background.

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. Looking a little toasty after a historic splashdown on the Gulf Coast, SpaceXs astronaut spacecraft will arrive back at Cape Canaveral on Friday afternoon. The Crew Dragon spacecraft nicknamed Endeavour is set to arrive by boat coming into Port Canaveral sometime around 5 p.m. News 6 will be there as the boat called Go Navigator makes its way into Port with the capsule. Behnken said next, before the parachutes deployed slowing the spacecraft from 350 mph to about 15 mph for splashdown, they could feel Crew Dragon maneuver itself for re-entry using its thrusters. Once the spacecraft is back at Cape Canaveral, the work begins to determine if NASA can issue the final flight certification for Dragon. Another astronaut crew, with three NASA astronauts and one Japanses astronaut, are set to launch on another Crew Dragon spacecraft in late September.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The SpaceX spacecraft that made history after successfully completing its first flight with two NASA astronauts is not done yet, it will be refurbished and reflown again. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken arrived safely home Sunday in their Dragon spacecraft nicknamed Endeavour, splashing down off Floridas west coast in the first splashdown since the Apollo program. The Crew Dragon spacecraft was designed to fly on five to 10 missions with maintenance between spaceflights. The next group set to fly on Dragon Endeavour is made up of two NASA astronauts: a Japanese astronaut and a European astronaut. A different Crew Dragon spacecraft is slated to launch four crew -- three Americans and one Japanese astronauts -- in late September.

SpaceX returned two NASA astronauts to Earth Sunday in a dramatic splashdown avoiding a tropical storm and safely returning the pair known as the “space dads” home. The splashdown marked the first by NASA astronauts in 45 years and the first with a commercial spacecraft. SpaceX Dragon capsule being pulled onto the Go Navigator recovery boat in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 2, 2020. Private vessels in the splashdown area were told to leave as they attempted to approach the SpaceX spacecraft. After being the last to leave the capsule, Hurley thanked everyone involved in the mission.

The astronaut pair were the first to launch on the SpaceX spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center on May 30 to the International Space Station, marking the first human spaceflight from U.S. soil since 2011. About a dozen private vessels in the splashdown area were told to leave as they attempted to approach the SpaceX spacecraft. Outside of those vessels Coast Guard boats should be the only other ones in the area for 10 miles. On Sunday, the private boats could be seen surrounding the recovery effort on the NASA livestream. The lesson learned here is we probably need more Coast Guard assets, maybe some more SpaceX and NASA assets as well, Shotwell said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Potential 60 mph wind gusts won’t bode well for a SpaceX spacecraft splashdown planned for this Sunday if the current track of a potential tropical storm holds but NASA officials say the plan to return the astronauts this weekend is still on. SpaceX and NASA teams will be looking at wind speed, wave height, rain, lightning and helicopter operational limits. Seven potential Crew Dragon landing sites. “The NASA team and the SpaceX team remain ‘go’ for return,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said opening up the media briefing after the FRR. NASA and SpaceX will make the final decision Saturday after the astronauts are inside the capsule just before undocking from the space station.

ORLANDO, Fla. Two NASA astronauts are preparing to become the first to complete their spaceflight on SpaceXs new Dragon spacecraft nicknamed Endeavour but Hurricane Isaias may foil those plans. Unfazed by the weather woes, NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken told reporters Friday if their planned splashdown off Floridas coast in Dragon Endeavour gets delayed they have plenty of chow and work to do on the International Space Station. NASA and SpaceX officials said there are no issues following a flight readiness review earlier in the week. Theres more chow and I know the space station programs got more work that we can do for those (principal investigators) and other folks that have sent science up here to the space station, Behnken said. Behnkens wife NASA astronaut Megan McArthur will fly on the same Dragon Endeavour spacecraft next year.

(NASA via AP)Next, if the splashdown and return home happens on time, three NASA astronauts and a Japanese astronaut will launch on another Crew Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center. Later NASA added two more crew members, NASA astronaut Shannon Walker and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi. [DRAGON COVERAGE: Have what it takes to fly Crew Dragon? This will be known as Crew-2, the second operational mission to the ISS for the SpaceX astronaut spacecraft. She flew on one space shuttle mission, the fifth and final repair mission for the Hubble Space Telescope.

They were the first to hitch a ride to the International Space Station on Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon. SpaceX and NASA are targeting September for the next launch of Dragon with astronauts from Kennedy Space Center. On Friday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said SpaceX and NASA are targeting Aug. 1 for a departure of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour by its passengers, and a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 2. NASA has paid the Russian space agency about $84 million a seat to fly its astronauts to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX and Boeing were selected in 2014 to develop American-made spacecraft to take over transporting NASA astronauts to space.

Boeings CST-100 Starliner launched from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 20, sending the capsule on what was meant to be its first uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station. The issue post-launch caused Boeing to bring the spacecraft back to Earth 24 hours later instead of docking with the ISS. He maintained its possible Starliner could repeat its uncrewed test flight this year. The independent review panel also took into consideration culture at NASA and Boeing. Boeing and SpaceX are both part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program and contracted to fly NASA astronauts to and from the space station.

ORLANDO, Fla. Kathy Lueders, the cool head behind NASAs Commercial Crew Program for the past eight years, will now oversee the U.S. space agencys human spaceflight office, becoming the first woman in this role. Anyone who has followed developments as SpaceX and Boeing prepared to fly NASA astronauts under the agencys Commercial Crew Program will recognize Lueders. She has been the head of the program since its infancy, now Lueders will oversee all of human spaceflight operation. From Commercial Cargo and now Commercial Crew, she has safely and successfully helped push to expand our nations industrial base. As head of the Commercial Crew Program, Lueders offered a cool head to a program that has faced delays but has proven a success after SpaceXs first astronauts launch last month.

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – The SpaceX rocket booster used to launch NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on their mission to the International Space Station, making history by being the first private rocket to do so, headed back into Port Canaveral Tuesday. The Falcon 9 rocket booster landed at sea on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You about 10 minutes after launching the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit Saturday afternoon. The SpaceX launch marked the first time a private company has launched humans to orbit and the first time Americans have launched from U.S. soil since 2011. The first stage is what returned to Port Canaveral Tuesday. [EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk officially launched humans to space -- here’s what he’s planning next]Full Screen 1 / 9 The SpaceX Falcon 9 booster used to launch two NASA astronauts to orbit returns to Port Canaveral via droneship on June 2, 2020.

After becoming the first NASA astronauts to launch from Florida in nine years, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are reflecting on how flying in their previous spaceship, the space shuttle compares to their new ride built by SpaceX’s the Crew Dragon spacecraft. (Image: Greg Scott) (WKMG 2020)Both Hurley and Behnken said launching on Falcon 9 was very different than the space shuttle. [MORE COVERAGE: Sparkling dinosaur makes journey with NASA astronauts to International Space Station]How’s the bathroom situation? Image above of space shuttle toilet on display at Johnson Space Center in Houston. On Sunday, the astronauts could see the bright light of Crew Dragon as it began to approach.

The first attempt to launch NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley was scrubbed Wednesday due to weather. Veteran NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are the lone passengers onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. As part of NASA’s commercial crew program, the U.S. space agency selected SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft to fly NASA astronauts. Crew Dragon hatch closesSpaceX teams have closed the hatch to the Crew Dragon capsule at Launch Complex 39A. Webcast will go live at ~11:00 a.m. EDT → https://t.co/bJFjLCilmc pic.twitter.com/AXDGNfqv0K — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 20207:40 a.m.

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk celebrates inside the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building after his company successfully launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to orbit on May 30, 2020. Behnken and Hurley are veteran astronauts, with 1,400 spaceflight hours between them. During live commentary of the launch SpaceX engineer Lauren Lyons said the astronauts are known as the dads by their team. [MORE COVERAGE: NASA astronauts wave goodbye to families in 2nd attempt to launch SpaceX Crew Dragon]The launch marks the beginning of a new era in U.S. human spaceflight, one shouldered by NASA and commercial companies like SpaceX instead of by the American taxpayer alone. Welcome aboard the @SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft!

SpaceX and NASA will possibly try again as soon as Saturday at 3:22 p.m., if the weather cooperates. After launch, Behnken and Hurley are bound for the International Space Station where they will spend one to four months before returning to Earth. But with two days between launch attempts, whats an astronaut to do while they wait to go to space? Heres what SpaceX astronauts listened to on their way to the launch pad]Behnken shared a photo on social media of that new tradition a day before the first SpaceX launch attempt. Between launch days, Lindgren said the astronauts are getting briefings from SpaceX and NASA about the health of the Falcon 9 rocket and the weather.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. After a nearly nine-year remission, its launch day for NASA astronauts from Kennedy Space Center again as SpaceX prepares to become the first private company to send humans into orbit and onto the International Space Station. Elon Musks private company SpaceX is set to launch two NASA astronauts onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft on a mission known as Demo-2. After liftoff, Crew Dragon will take 19 hours to fly to the International Space Station. Veteran NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are the lone passengers onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. As part of NASAs commercial crew program, the U.S. space agency selected SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft to fly NASA astronauts.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. The clouds and rain around Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A are still present Tuesday, one day before Elon Musks company is set to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station, but launch conditions have improved slightly, according to Space Force weather officials. In a launch briefing with NASA and SpaceX Monday, Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer with the 45th Weather Squadron, said the weather would improve by launch day. The primary concerns are flying a rocket through rain and thick cloud cover, however, thats just the weather for launch. The launch pad is the same one Saturn V and Apollo 11 launched to the moon from more than 50 years ago. If the launch goes Wednesday, it will take 19 hours for Hurley and Behnken to reach the International Space Station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Ahead of SpaceXs Demo-2 launch with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, launch fans can see live views of the Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center leading up to the historic countdown. [CHOOSE THE VIEW: ClickOrlando.com Watch Party Page]On News 6 and ClickOrlando.coms watch party page youll have a one-of-a-kind viewing experience of the historic NASA and SpaceX launch, which will send astronauts back into space from U.S. soil for the first time since 2011. [WATCH LIVE: News 6]SpaceX is set to launch the Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A at 4:33 p.m. Wednesday. The ClickOrlando.com watch party page has several unique views of the rocket on the pad and will also include the News 6 virtual watch party in the hours leading up to the launch. Subscribe to a weekly newsletter to receive the latest in space news directly to your inbox here.

The 45th Weather Squadron issued the first forecast five days out giving a 40% chance of good launch conditions for the window. However, the forecast does not include recovery conditions if an abort is triggered and the Crew Dragon needs to be recovered at sea. [RETURN TO SPACE: Americas first astronaut launch in 9 years: How did we get here? | Chance of weather scrub on Crew Dragon astronaut launch day very high, SpaceX officials say]Kegges weighed in on what recovery conditions are looking like five days ahead of the launch. The launch will not go if weather violates the limits at splashdown in case of Dragon launch escape downrange, according to the criteria for launch NASA released earlier this week.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. NASA has cleared SpaceX to launch two astronauts on the Crew Dragon spacecraft after completing a final extensive review before the May 27 launch. SpaceX and NASA teams conducted a flight-readiness review clearing the way for the first launch of NASA astronauts for SpaceX and the first from U.S. soil since 2011. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will be the first passengers on a new spacecraft, returning human spaceflight to Floridas Coast. As part of the Commercial Crew Program Both SpaceX, with Crew Dragon and Boeing, with Starliner, have been conducting tests to work toward certifying their spacecraft to fly NASA astronauts. Human spaceflight is really, really tough and its why we continue to look for risks.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. The Space Shuttle Program was always going to end. For all the shuttle program did for humanity, delivering a galaxy-hunting telescope to orbit and building the International Space Station, they had their drawbacks. In fact, it was Hurley himself who brought the Shuttle program to a close; he piloted Atlantis down to Kennedy's runway in 2011. Bridenstine said that will end once the Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 launch America back into space. Bridenstine said NASA was negotiating with Russia to buy one final seat from Russia for an October Soyuz launch.

Orion is designed to launch on NASAs Space Launch System, or SLS rocket, also still in development. For its first journey to the International Space Station, the commercial spacecraft, Crew Dragon, carried no crew. The Crew Dragon spacecraft jettisoned away to safety, splashing down in the Atlantic and Falcon 9 was destroyed moments later. Jan. 27, 2020: First private space station agreement with NASAThe Axiom modules are targeted to attach to the International Space Station beginning in the latter half of 2024. ( )NASA announced in January Axiom Space, a private company based in Houston, will build the first stages of a private space station that will operate long after the International Space Station is retired.

pic.twitter.com/1EoolI3XNH Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) May 20, 2020Hurley was one of the last NASA astronauts to make that same trip in 2011 for the last space shuttle launch. He described Kennedy Space Center as home away from home because both astronauts spent a lot of time there during the space shuttle program. At that time, KSC Director Bob Cabana, a former astronaut, was head of the NASA astronaut office. This is also similar to the space shuttle program but, again, will look very different. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates as American astronauts launch from Floridas Space Coast once again.

Eight days from the first astronaut launch from American soil in nine years, NASA announced the head of its human spaceflight office had stepped down. Doug Loverro was appointed as associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in October 2019. Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations Doug Loverro has resigned from his position effective Monday, May 18, the statement read. The leadership change was also not mentioned at the National Space Council meeting Tuesday attended by Vice President Mike Pence and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. The event is set to be a historic launch for NASA and SpaceX.

Watch live as Boeing launches its Starliner capsule atop United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket for an uncrewed orbital flight test as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It might not be Christmas yet, but Boeing is gearing up to give the Space Coast a present a few days before the holiday. Scheduled to liftoff at 6:36 a.m. Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 41, Boeing will launch its Starliner capsule atop United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket for an uncrewed orbital flight test as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Atlas V will leave a smoky trailDue to the solid rocket boosters on the Atlas V rocket, spectators will see a smoky trail different from when SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rocket from the launch pad. If so, it will be similar to the last Atlas V launch in August, which resulted in a beautiful jellyfish-like orb in the sky as the rising sun lit the ice crystals suspended in the rocket's exhaust.