SpaceX: Historic moment - Musk missile docked on ISS

Elon Musk's space company SpaceX sent a manned missile to the ISS - the astronauts docked successfully. All events here currently in the ticker. 

• On Saturday,  Elon Musk's space company SpaceX sent the first manned missile to the ISS .
• The first attempt on Wednesday was canceled shortly before the start due to bad weather conditions in Cape Canaveral .
• The launch of the "Falcon 9" rocket went as planned at 3:22 p.m. local time (9:22 p.m. German time), the astronauts made their way to the ISS.
• The docking maneuver was successful - the capsule is docked on the ISS (update, May 31, 4:33 p.m.). 

Update, 6:02 pm:  Russia's space agency Roskosmos congratulated its US colleague at Nasa and entrepreneur Elon Musk on successfully docking the "Crew Dragon" space capsule on the International Space Station. "Bravo!" Roskosmos boss Dmitri Rogosin wrote to his colleague Jim Bridenstine, the chief of the US space agency Nasa , on Twitter. "I know how excited you were that this big event was a success," said Rogosin. He best wishes to Musk. "I look forward to further cooperation," continued Rogosin.

Bridenstine also congratulated the US space travelers Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on Twitter  . They are the first astronauts to launch to the ISS from US soil since 2011. "Welcome home," wrote Bridenstine after the successful docking maneuver .

Welcome home @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug! America's two favorite dads in space have docked to the @Space_Station. https://t.co/e2KaxtW4Gf

SpaceX: Historic moment - Musk missile docked on ISS

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

The @SpaceX #CrewDragon makes five spaceships parked at the station. https://t.co/lLZYDJUn1N pic.twitter.com/la06vhjgOW

Update, 4:55 p.m .:  Behnken and Hurley are said to remain on board the ISS for around a month . The US astronaut Christopher Cassidy and the Russian astronauts Anatoli Iwanischin and Iwan Wagner are already stationed there . They are expected to return to Earth in October. 

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

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

Docking confirmed! @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug officially docked to the @Space_Station at 10:16 am ET: pic.twitter.com/hCM4UvbwjR

Update, 16:28:  At Phoenix, where the SpaceX maneuver is currently being broadcast live, ESA  Director General Professor Jan Wörner speaks . "Citizens are for astronautical space travel," said Wörner, "they are also for exploring space . A large majority endorses that. "

Update, 4:25 p.m .:  The SpaceX astronauts were 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 attempt at the ISS . The maneuver is very "sensitive", it says on the Phoenix transmitter, which broadcasts the process live.

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

Update, 3:57 p.m .:  It will not be long now: The docking maneuver on the ISS is to be transmitted on the Phoenix transmitter from around 4:15 p.m. Is everything still going according to plan? The tension increases.

SpaceX: Rocket flies to the ISS - Elon Musk talks at Mars Colony press conference

Update, 3:14 p.m .: Worldwide, people are watching the further course of NASA's space mission around technology pioneer Elon Musk . Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 - when he was 31 years old and with 100 million euros of his personal wealth. 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 will soon be docking on the ISS , Elon Musk tweets - along with a beautiful picture that shows a view of the rocket from Earth:

Dragon docks with @Space_Station in ~ 3 hours https://t.co/MxGRr4xuXS

After congratulations had arrived from Russia in the morning, now there was a prick between Musk and representatives of the Russian space program . While Musk could not fail to speak to Russia at his triumph at a press conference, 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 said to Russia - and thus alluded to an older statement. At that time, Russian space representatives had doubted the skills of the Americans, probably with the words: "The Americans can also transport their astronauts to the ISS with a trampoline."

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

You can even follow live on the NASA Twitter account how the two astronauts are doing in the "Crew Dragon":

. @ AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are suited up, strapped in their seats and ready to be welcomed by the crew aboard the @Space_Station. Watch @ SpaceX's Dragon Endeavor spacecraft make its way to our orbiting laboratory: https://t.co/bXCGg5kzBB

And the rocket can already be seen from the ISS:

Cameras on the @SpaceX #CrewDragon spot the station less than 500 meters away. #LaunchAmerica | https://t.co/yuOTrYN8CV pic.twitter.com/IPa4kYrlzp

Update 12.20 p.m .: The Strart was watched live on television on Saturday evening. The docking maneuver to the ISS space station can also be followed live. TV broadcaster Phoenix will show live from 4.15 p.m. * whether everything works as planned.

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

Update, 11:24 a.m .: After the successful launch of NASA, the Russian space agency congratulated. On Twitter, director of the space program, Sergey Krikalev, sent  "Greetings to American colleagues". The launch of the manned missile means new opportunities, also for international space travel . He also expects a lot from the success of the mission.

Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe

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

Update from May 31, 9:05 am: After the successful launch of the rocket, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said visibly moved at a press conference: "I'm really emotionally overwhelmed, it's difficult for me to speak," said Musk. He had worked towards this goal for 18 years. "I think it is something that mankind can look forward to and be proud of," he said, and he went one step further: "Hopefully this is the first step on the way to civilization on Mars."

SpaceX founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the Crew Dragon Demo 2 mission on May 30, 2020 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
#ElonMusk #SpaceX #NASA pic.twitter.com/2rUqujsNIr

US President Donald Trump , who had traveled to the launch site despite the Corona restrictions , called the launch "heroic" and rated the performance as epoch-making: "A new era of American ambition has just begun." As a "moment of hope" and Reason "to think about humanity" NASA boss Jim Bridenstine evaluated the launch of the rakate:

The United States of America can do extraordinary things even in challenging times. Our best days are ahead of us.

Thank you to the @NASA and @SpaceX family for providing our country with this extraordinary moment of hope. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ek0hS6C0x5

Still, he made a caveat: "But we're not celebrating yet," said Bridenstine. "We'll celebrate when they are safely back home," he said, referring to astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley who were on board the missile on the way to the ISS.

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

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

The landing and reuse of rocket stages and space capsules is an important part of the strategy of SpaceX. 

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

The two astronauts are expected to dock with the ISS on Sunday and will stay for around a month. It is the first time that SpaceX, a private space company, has brought astronauts to the ISS. The last time astronauts flew to the ISS in summer 2011 was with the space shuttle "Atlantis".

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

Update, 9:42 pm: It should even be visible: as the astronaut Alexander Gerst explains on Twitter, the SpaceX can also be seen from Germany. 

The @SpaceX Dragon flies over Germany in a few minutes, from west to east, at 9:45 p.m. Just look for a bright spot that slowly moves across the sky. Maybe too bright, unfortunately ...

SpaceX: Elon Musk manages a historic moment

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

Update, 9:26 pm: 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 pm:  "Everything looks very good, perfect!", Explains Prof. Ulrich Walter at Welt. However, decoupling the rocket could still be a critical moment. 

The astronauts are on their way to the ISS. 

© AFP / -

Update, 9:22 p.m .: An unbelievable picture that SpaceX starts - Donald Trump also cannot 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 pm: Only a few seconds until the rocket starts. 

Update, 9:21 pm: And it's raining! As the live cameras show, it is actually starting to rain in Florida . Two more minutes. 

Update, 9:19 p.m .: Three more minutes, there is still the green light. "The computers have taken over, no one can intervene now," Prof. Ulrich Walter explains to Welt. Should a technical problem occur, the computers could stop the start immediately. 

SpaceX: How safe is the rocket for the astronauts?

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

Update, 9:14 p.m .: Just under eight minutes to go before the rocket rises to the sky. IF she can start. But there is already a good sign: the start of SpaceX on Wednesday was canceled 16 minutes beforehand. 

SpaceX: Donald Trump wants to support Elon Musk on site

Update, 9/21: As Steffen Schwarzkopf explains from the world, Donald Trump cannot miss the action. The US president is said to have arrived there about an hour ago. 

SpaceX: launch of the rocket is imminent 

Update, 9:02 p.m .: Still 19 minutes and the decision has not yet been made as to whether the SpaceX can really take off or not. The two astronauts are already in their places, the rocket has been filled up. Only the weather could put a spanner in the works for Elon Musk . 

Update, 8:43 pm: As experts now explain in a live switch to Phoenix , the rocket will now be filled up again. The probability that the SpaceX can actually start in a few minutes increases to 70%. Accordingly, the local weather situation would improve considerably. 

SpaceX: US astronauts prepare and enter rocket

Update, 20:34: US astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are ready for their launch to the ISS , according to the chief of the US space agency Nasa . "They are ready, they are ready - but they are also relaxed," said NASA chief Jim Bridenstine on Saturday in an interview before the planned start 21:22 CEST the live stream of Nasa aired. 

In the meantime, the two space travelers climbed into the "Crew Dragon" space capsule, were strapped into their seats and the hatch was closed. They are supposed to take off with a "Falcon 9" rocket in a "Crew Dragon" space capsule to the space station. 

A day later, they should dock with the ISS and stay 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 is carrying astronauts on behalf of Nasa.

SpaceX: who is Elon Musk?

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

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

Update from May 30, 7.43 p.m .: Elon Musk could actually make history with the planned launch of the manned SpaceX rocket 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 plan for the two astronauts ? In the worst case, can the rocket even explode and become a deadly trap? 

As NASA spokesman Joshua Finch told AFP, the likelihood of "crew loss" on the proposed mission is 1 in 276. NASA's minimum requirement is 1 in 270.

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

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

The team remains optimistic. “We are ready to start and we hope that the weather will play along. We will use every opportunity we have. ” Dark clouds were visible over the Cape Canaveral spaceport in the US state of Florida .

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

Update of May 30, 6.45 p.m .:  Elon Musk's company SpaceX wants to write space history: If she is lucky, it would be the first manned flight by a private company to the International Space Station and an important contribution to make the United States independent of Russian missiles again . But it is not yet clear whether the rocket can actually take off in a few hours. 

The scheduled start at 3:22 p.m. local time (9:22 p.m. CEST) could actually be postponed due to renewed bad weather conditions . According to experts, the odds 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 was canceled shortly before the start on Wednesday , experts doubt that it will start this evening. Will the start be canceled at the last minute? So you can see the rocket launch live on TV and in live stream. * You can find all information here in our live ticker . 

SpaceX: Elon Musk 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 first manned US flight into space in nine years.

Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine said on Saturday in the online service Twitter that the preparations for the planned start in the afternoon (local time) were proceeding as planned. "However, weather uncertainties remain, the probability of a cancellation is 50 percent."

We are GO for suit up! #LaunchAmerica Liftoff

is slated for today at 3:22 pm ET: https://t.co/zAPRwTxsPx pic.twitter.com/RLZ52CXgVn

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on board the "Crew Dragon" space capsule is supposed to launch into space from the Florida spaceport at 9:22 p.m. Central European time . It is already the second start date (see below). 

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

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

So far, there has been no statement from SpaceX founder Elon Musk or the company. According to the US media, there are said to be no injuries .

Elon, your rocket just blew up.pic.twitter.com/EZAVN4cVCd

It is still unclear whether the incident in Texas will have any consequences for the planned launch of the SpaceX "Falcon 9" rocket . However, the mission's weather may again thwart the calculation (see May 30 update, 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 worried. “There is always a risk.

SpaceX-Start: Will the rocket flight be postponed again?

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

As NASA announced in advance, the chance of a rocket launch * suitable weather conditions 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 start in Cape Canaveral: fixed date for second attempt

Update of May 28, 11:15: Worldwide was the launch of the SpaceX mission of Elon Musk been eagerly awaited. However, bad weather has temporarily stopped the first manned flight test of a US space capsule in almost nine years. A little less than a quarter of an hour before the launch, the test was canceled on Wednesday, according to the US space agency Nasa . 

Many people had said that this was not possible, said Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine in an interview before the ultimately delayed start attempt, as reported focus.de. "But SpaceX can do things that NASA has never done in its history," continued Bridenstine, who described the mission as a "herculean task."

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

Thank you to @NASA and @SpaceX for their hard work and leadership. Look forward to being back with you on Saturday!

Failure for Elon Musk: SpaceX premiere must be canceled shortly before launch

Update from May 27th, 10:43 pm:  When will the next attempt of the “Falcon 9” take place on the ISS? The start is now scheduled for Saturday , SpaceX said on Wednesday after the abrupt end of the flight scheduled for Wednesday. A thunderstorm raged above 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 .

Elon Musk's SpaceX mission canceled: Even Donald Trump was there

Update from May 27th, 10:35 pm: The weather in Florida is too stormy and puts the “Demo-2” mission on hold for the time being. Why not just wait an hour before things get better? This is related to the coordinates of the ISS space station , which orbits around the earth and would be out of range of the "Falcon 9" rocket if the launch were delayed  .

Update from May 27th, 10:28 pm: Due to bad weather conditions , the manned space flight test has been postponed. About a quarter of an hour before the planned start , the test was initially canceled, according to NASA .  Dark clouds were visible over the Cape Canaveral spaceport and it was raining. According to the weather forecast, the chance of a start had previously been 60 percent , as Nasa had announced. A next attempt to start could take place on Saturday.

The astronauts of the "Falcon 9" have to be patient - the SpaceX launch has been postponed.

© AFP / -

SpaceX: Missile launch canceled - "Falcon 9" must remain on the ground

Update from May 27th, 10:24 pm: The rocket smokes and so far everything looks as if the rocket launch of the "Falcon 9" could go according to plan. Or not? The news reaches us that the time cannot be kept.

Update from May 27th, 11:11 pm:  "Fun Fact" on the edge - both space travelers - Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken - are married to their peers. Their respective partners are astronauts .

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

Hurley is married and has one son. Entrepreneur Musk, for whom a special compensation plan applies, only had a sixth son at the beginning of the 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 with other responsible parties in a press conference. Respirator? Nothing. But there is a safety margin for the high-ranking personalities. The US President thanks his "friend Elon Musk" for the project and emphasizes the importance for the US space flight .

Update from May 27th, 9.40 pm: No more hours until the start 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 get in the mood . The performance was recorded via video in the live stream of the launch. All Clarkson could see was her head in front of a wall. Concerns about the further spread of the coronavirus *  severely restrict access to the Cape Canaveral spaceport.

NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (l) and Robert Behnken, in SpaceX spacesuits, stand in front of launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, with the "Falcon 9" rocket (M).

© dpa / Kim Shiflett, Nasa

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

SpaceX rocket shortly before launch: weather conditions spoil the game for Elon Musk?

Update of May 27, 19:42: The  NASA continues despite the uncertain weather conditions of a rocket of the first manned flight private company SpaceX to the International Space Station ISS firmly. Jim Bridenstine, chief of the space agency, gave the green light for the historic mission on Wednesday afternoon (local time). However, should the weather * deteriorate further in the coming hours, the rocket launch could still be postponed to Saturday.

Check out this post on Instagram

Targeting 4:33 pm EDT today for Falcon 9's launch of Crew Dragon with @NASA astronauts on board. Teams are closely monitoring launch and downrange weather → spacex.com/launches

A post shared by SpaceX (@spacex) on May 27, 2020 at 5:53 p.m. PDT

The two space travelers Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken should reach the launch pad shortly. The hatch to your space capsule should be closed about two hours before the planned start.

A thunderstorm raged above the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral in the morning and the US hurricane center warned of a tropical storm that formed further north off the coast of the state of South Carolina . 

SpaceX: Elon Musk's “Demo-2” mission is heading towards the ISS

Original article from May 27:

Wednesday night marks a major milestone for US space travel - and could have an impact on the future of human history. At 10.33 p.m. (Central European Time) the launch of the first manned rocket from SpaceX - the company of the difficult businessman 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 "old hands" from 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

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

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

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

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

"Falcon 9": SpaceX rocket from Elon Musk the preliminary stage for a mega-project

SpaceX has been putting satellites into orbit for some time now: The Falcon 9 rocket has been taking supply flights to the ISS since 2012  - 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 start will have to be postponed due to bad weather. The next time window would be on Saturday.

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

PF

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

Rubric list image: © AFP / BILL INGALLS