It will likely take a little longer than expected to send U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Bridenstine toured SpaceX’s Hawthorne facility with Musk on Thursday for a progress report on the mission, known as Crew Dragon Demo II. Space officials had said for much of this year that the mission — which will mark the first time in eight years astronauts have headed to the space station from U.S. soil — would be ready by the end of 2019. But during the tour, Bridenstine said that if tests go according to plan in the coming weeks, the mission could now occur as early as the first quarter in 2020.
Sending astronauts to the space station would be the Hawthorne aerospace company’s first manned mission to space, although it has sent capsules to resupply the space station 19 times so far.
Both Bridenstine and Musk told reporters that no matter how long it took, safety was their highest priority.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
Sound
The gallery will resume inseconds
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine toured SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 with Spacex founder Elon Musk to see the progress the company is making to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station from American soil as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Nasa Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken who will pilot the capsule also attended. SpaceX will carry NASA astronauts to the space station on the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft, and help return the ability to fly American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil. This is an important step toward sending the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024, as part of NASAs Artemis program. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)
“We’re going to get it done,” Musk said. “We’re going to get it done soon and we’re going to get it done right.”
Bridenstine, for his part, said sending manned missions to the space station was NASA’s No. 1 goal.
“This is a big deal for our country,” Bridenstine said. “We can’t get it wrong.”
During a press conference with media Thursday, astronauts Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken joined Bridenstine and Musk on the floor of the SpaceX rocket assembly room. Behind them, within a sterile glass enclosure, engineers tinkered on the Crew Dragon capsule with its outer shell removed — revealing dozens of hoses and valves.
With the two astronauts standing beside him, Bridenstine said the agency will not take any chances with human cargo.
“We are not going to rush it,” the administrator said.
Bridenstine and Musk also described a series of tests involving static firing of the rocket’s engines — meaning the rocket wouldn’t actually go anywhere — and a high-altitude abort test that must take place before the Crew Dragon capsule can be certified to carry human astronauts. The most crucial tests, they said, involved the parachutes that enable the spacecraft to land safely back on Earth.
SpaceX, Musk said, was switching to a stronger parachute design that will need to be tested at least 10 more times before engineers were satisfied with its safety.
The Crew Dragon capsule is expected to be delivered to Cape Canaveral, in Florida, by the end of the year. After a number of other systems checks are performed, the actual mission could take place within three months, Bridenstine said.
But, Musk said, the dates were more of a “best guess.”
“Space is hard, obviously,” Musk quipped.
If the Crew Dragon program is postponed much longer, NASA will likely need to purchase additional seats on board a Russian Soyuz rocket — at roughly $85 million a pop — in order to maintain a U.S. presence on the space station, Bridenstine said.
In 2014, NASA awarded SpaceX $2.6 billion and Boeing $4.2 billion to develop spacecrafts capable of sending humans to the space station. At the time, NASA expected at least one of the capsules to be operational by the end of 2017. Boeing’s capsule, the CST-100 Starliner, is even further behind, with plans to send its first unmanned mission in December.
In March, SpaceX successfully completed its first demo mission to the ISS with an unmanned Crew Dragon capsule.
Sign up for The Localist, our daily email newsletter with handpicked stories relevant to where you live. Subscribe here.
Leave A Comment