KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

This week, the payload fairing containing the Mars Perseverance rover was lifted up into the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Then, it was lowered down and attached to the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The rover is scheduled to lift off aboard the Atlas V rocket on July 30, from Pad 41. Kennedy Space Center’s Honor Awards Ceremony recognized NASA and contractor individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to the NASA mission. Due to social distancing concerns, this year’s ceremony was prerecorded and was available for viewing by the workforce on KSC TV. Center Director Bob Cabana and senior staff were on hand to virtually congratulate this year’s awardees.

The solid rocket boosters that will launch NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on Artemis I are beginning to come together at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also, Kennedy’s most prominent landmark - the Vehicle Assembly Building - is getting an updated look with a fresh coat of paint on its NASA logo and American flag.

The Orion crew module and its adapter are undergoing key testing and maintenance for NASA's first crewed Artemis mission at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket underwent a wet dress rehearsal at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41, in preparation for launch of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. Finally, Kennedy Director Bob Cabana, along with the center’s executive leadership team, came together to address vital issues affecting our communities.

This week, preparations for NASA and United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Mars 2020 mission continued. Technicians with ULA used ground-handling equipment to connect the payload fairing, which will protect the spacecraft during ascent through Earth's atmosphere when the mission launches. Liftoff is scheduled for July 20, 2020, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Also, twin boosters for NASA's Space Launch System rocket arrived at Kennedy, where they will undergo processing ahead of stacking on the mobile launcher in preparation for the Artemis I launch.

Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley arrived at the International Space Station after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two NASA astronauts lifted off aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the agency's SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Also, activities continue at Kennedy in preparation for launch of NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover next month.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon, with astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken on board, has separated from the Falcon 9 rocket after launching at 3:22 p.m. EDT on May 30, 2020 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After Crew Dragon separates from the second stage, a series of phasing maneuvers will be performed for the spacecraft to gradually approach and autonomously dock with the space station on Sunday, May 31, at approximately 10:29 a.m. EDT. This marks the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon lifts off at 3:22 p.m. EDT on May 30, 2020, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken on the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. This marks the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.

Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken don their spacesuits inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020, for the second launch attempt. The first attempt, on May 27, was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather. They will exit the facility and be transported to Launch Complex 39A where they will board the SpaceX Crew Dragon for the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Launch atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for today at 3:22 p.m. EDT. This will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.

Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for launch on the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Launch atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for today, May 30, 2020, at 3:22 p.m. EDT. Demo-2 will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory. NASA and SpaceX scrubbed the launch attempt on May 27, due to unfavorable weather.

Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken walk down the hallway and exit the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. They will be transported to Launch Complex 39A aboard a Tesla Model X where they will board the SpaceX Crew Dragon for the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Launch atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for today at 3:22 p.m. EDT. This will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.

NASA and SpaceX’s initial launch attempt of the Demo-2 mission that will send NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station was scrubbed on May 27 due to unfavorable weather conditions in the area. The next launch opportunity will be Saturday, May 30, at 3:22 p.m. EDT. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will lift off from Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Complex 39A, returning human spaceflight capability to the U.S. after nearly a decade. This will be SpaceX’s final flight test under the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana and NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Kjell Lindgren join us live to answer your questions! Tune in at 11 a.m. ET to learn more about the Crew Dragon mission and the Commercial Crew Program. Have a question for our guests? Be sure to share in the comments below for a chance to be featured on our live feed.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine makes a statement after the scrub of NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 launch on the Falcon 9 rocket today, May 27, 2020, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA and SpaceX scrubbed today's launch attempt of the Demo-2 test flight to the International Space Station due to unfavorable weather. Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken have egressed from the SpaceX Crew Dragon. The next launch attempt will be at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 30.

NASA and SpaceX have scrubbed today’s launch attempt, May 27, of the Demo-2 test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley due to unfavorable weather conditions around Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX will begin removing propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and then the astronauts will exit the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Launch coverage will continue until the crew has left the pad for Astronaut Crew Quarters. Our next launch attempt will be at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 30, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch coverage will begin at 11 a.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website at http://www.nasa.gov/live.

Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for launch on the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Launch atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was scheduled for today, May 27, 2020. Demo-2 will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory. NOTE: NASA and SpaceX have scrubbed today's launch attempt of the Demo-2 test flight to the space station due to unfavorable weather. The next launch attempt will be at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 30.

The crew access arm is retracted from the SpaceX Crew Dragon at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 27, 2020. Secured inside the Dragon are astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken for NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Demo-2 will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory. NASA and SpaceX have scrubbed today's launch attempt of the Demo-2 test flight to the space station. The next launch attempt will be at 3:22 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 30.

Astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken don their spacesuits inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 27, 2020. They will exit the facility and be transported to Launch Complex 39A where they will board the SpaceX Crew Dragon for the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. Launch atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for today at 4:33 p.m. EDT. This will mark the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, this will be SpaceX’s final flight test, paving the way for NASA to certify the crew transportation system for regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory.

The first global virtual NASA Social comes to end as we take you through Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the last show. Join us at 10 a.m. as we chat with Therrin Protze, COO of the visitor complex to learn more about this incredible place – opening again to the public tomorrow, May 28. Have a question for about Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex? Be sure to share in the comments below for a chance to be featured on our live feed.

The first global virtual NASA Social continues as we share more about the Commercial Crew Program through a virtual 360 tour. Join us at 9 a.m. as we chat with NASA educator Rachel Power about the upcoming launch. Have a question for about the program or show? Be sure to share in the comments below for a chance to be featured on our live feed.

The first global virtual NASA Social continues as we host some very special guests! Join us at 4 p.m. ET to hear from Commercial Crew Program’s Dana Hutcherson and Steve Payne (now retired). Have a question for our guests? Be sure to share in the comments below for a chance to be featured on our live feed.