SpaceX SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) Falcon 9 Block 5
Rocket Launch Video Streams
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Douglas G. Hurley
- Birthday: 10/21/1966
- Role: Spacecraft Commander
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 07/15/2009
- Last Flight: 05/30/2020
Douglas Gerald Hurley is an engineer and retired NASA astronaut. He piloted Space Shuttle mission STS-127, which launched Jul...
Robert L. Behnken
- Birthday: 07/28/1970
- Role: Joint Operations Commander
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 03/11/2008
- Last Flight: 05/30/2020
Robert Louis "Bob" Behnken is a United States Air Force officer, retired NASA astronaut and former Chief of the Ast...
About the SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) Mission
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $52,000,000
A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil. The Demo-2 mission is the second test flight of Crew Dragon, and the first flight with crew onboard. It will carry NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station for an extended stay (the specific mission duration will be determined once on station based on the readiness of the next commercial crew launch). They will perform tests on Crew Dragon in addition to conducting research and other tasks with the space station crew.
As the final flight test for SpaceX, this mission will validate the company’s crew transportation system, including the launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, and operational capabilities. This also will be the first time NASA astronauts will test the spacecraft systems in orbit. The Demo-2 mission will be the final major step before NASA’s Commercial Crew Program certifies Crew Dragon for operational, long-duration missions to the space station.
Current Mission Status:
After a successful ride to orbit and stay at the International Space Station, the Dragon Spacecraft successfully made its way back to Earth. Capsule successfully landed in the Gulf of Mexico waters on 3rd August 2020 at 18:48 UTC.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
The Launch Complex 39A launch pad has hosted 222 rocket launches, including 221 orbital launch attempts. The Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA launch site has been the location for 281 total rocket launches.
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 Rocket
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Booster Landing & Recovery
Core B1058
B1058 has successfully landed on ASDS OCISLY. Reusable booster B1058 last flew on 12/23/2023
and has completed 19 successful launch and landing missions. Booster first flown during the DEMO-2 mission. Only booster featuring the NASA worm logo.
Written off after toppled by rough seas during transport on 25 December 2023 after safely landing aboard JRTI.
Of Course I Still Love You - OCISLY
The second ASDS barge, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) services launches in the Pacific Ocean and was the site of the first landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage during CRS-8, the launch of a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship - ASDS
An autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) is an ocean-going vessel derived from a deck barge, outfitted with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform. Construction of such ships was commissioned by aerospace company SpaceX to allow for recovery of rocket first-stages at sea for high-velocity missions which do not carry enough fuel to return to the launch site after lofting spacecraft onto an orbital trajectory.
About SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) mission launch from?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) mission?
The SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster for SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) attempt a landing?
Yes, the Falcon 9 first stage booster attempted a Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows SpaceX to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the SpaceX Falcon 9 SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest SpaceX Falcon 9 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the SpX-DM2 (Demonstration Mission 2) mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official SpaceX live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.