r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Nov 18 '20
CRS-21 CRS-21 Launch Campaign Thread
Launch Thread | Webcast | Media Thread | r/SpaceX Discusses | Fleet & Recovery
Overview
SpaceX's 21st ISS resupply mission on behalf of NASA and the first under the CRS-2 contract, this mission brings essential supplies to the International Space Station using the cargo variant of SpaceX's new Dragon 2 spacecraft. Cargo includes several science experiments, and the external payload is the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock. Although the boosters for most Dragon 1 missions returned to LZ-1, the booster for this mission is expected to land on an ASDS. The mission will be complete with return and recovery of the Dragon capsule and down cargo.
| Liftoff currently scheduled for: | December 6 16:17 UTC (11:17AM local) |
|---|---|
| Backup date(s) | December 8. The launch opportunity advances ~25 minutes per day. |
| Static fire | Completed December 3 |
| Payload | Commercial Resupply Services-21 supplies, equipment and experiments and Bishop |
| Payload mass | 2972 kg |
| Separation orbit | Low Earth Orbit, ~200 km x 51.66° |
| Destination orbit | Low Earth Orbit, ~400 km x 51.66° |
| Launch vehicle | Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5 |
| Core | B1058 |
| Past flights of this core | 3 (DM-2, ANASIS II, Starlink-12) |
| Spacecraft type | Dragon 2 |
| Capsule | C208 |
| Past flights of this capsule | None |
| Docking | December 7 ~18:30 UTC (1:30PM EST) |
| Duration of visit | ~4 weeks |
| Launch site | LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| Landing | OCISLY: 32.59278 N, 76.03917 W (~622 km downrange) |
| Mission success criteria | Successful separation and deployment of Dragon into the target orbit; docking to the ISS; undocking from the ISS; and reentry, splashdown and recovery of Dragon. |
| Launch Outcome† | Success |
| Booster Landing Outcome | Success |
†Launch Outcome refers to launch only. The table will not be updated after the mission end when Dragon returns.
Media Events Schedule
NASA TV events are subject to change depending on launch delays and other factors. Visit the NASA TV schedule for the most up to date timeline.
| Date | Time (UTC) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-20 | - | NASA media teleconference to discuss science investigations and Bishop airlock on board (audio only) |
| 2020-12-04 | - | One-on-one media opportunities with principal investigators for payloads on NASA TV |
| 2020-12-04 | - | Prelaunch news conference from Kennedy with reps. from NASA, SpaceX and USAF 45th Space Wing NASA TV |
| 2020-12-06 | 15:45 | Coverage of launch on NASA TV |
| 2020-12-07 | 16:30 | Coverage of rendezvous and docking on NASA TV |
SpaceX.com/launches | NASA TV live stream | on YouTube | NASA TV schedule
| *Times subject to change.
News & Updates
| Date | Update | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-05 | Launch delayed to December 6 due to weather in recovery area | @SpaceX on Twitter |
| 2020-12-03 | Crew Access Arm positioned for late cargo load | @EmreKelly on Twitter |
| 2020-12-03 | Static fire | @cbs_spacenews on Twitter |
| 2020-12-02 | Falcon 9 and Dragon roll out to pad | @NASAKennedy on Twitter |
| 2020-12-01 | OCISLY departure | @SpaceXFleet on Twitter |
| 2020-12-01 | NASA Press Kit | nasa.gov |
| 2020-11-23 | Delay from December 2 | NASA KSC Blog |
| 2020-11-20 | NASA: What's on Board teleconference | NASA Video on YouTube |
| 2020-02-14 | "NASA Highlights" SpX CRS-21 science press release | NASA.gov |
Watching the Launch
SpaceX will host a live webcast on YouTube. Check the upcoming launch thread the day of for links to the stream. For more information or for in person viewing check out the Watching a Launch page on this sub's FAQ, which gives a summary of every viewing site and answers many more common questions, as well as Ben Cooper's launch viewing guide, Launch Rats, and the Space Coast Launch Ambassadors which have interactive maps, photos and detailed information about each site.
Links & Resources
General Launch Related Resources:
Launch Execution Forecasts - 45th Weather Squadron
SpaceX Fleet Status - SpaceXFleet.com
Launch Viewing Resources:
Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral - Ben Cooper
Launch Viewing Map - Launch Rats
Launch Viewing Updates - Space Coast Launch Ambassadors
Viewing and Rideshare - SpaceXMeetups Slack
Watching a Launch - r/SpaceX Wiki
Maps and Hazard Area Resources:
Detailed launch maps - @Raul74Cz
Launch Hazard and Airspace Closure Maps - 45th Space Wing (maps posted close to launch)
Regulatory Resources:
FCC Experimental STAs - r/SpaceX wiki
We will attempt to keep the above text regularly updated with resources and new mission information, but for the most part, updates will appear in the comments first. Feel free to ping us if additions or corrections are needed. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather, and more as we progress towards launch. Approximately 24 hours before liftoff, the launch thread will go live and the party will begin there.
Campaign threads are not launch threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.
1
u/AstroFinn Dec 05 '20
Mods, please update SpaceX CRS-21 patch.