Crew Dragon Demo-2 facts for kids
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| Names | Crew Demo-2 Dragon Crew Demo-2 NASA Demo-2 SpaceX Demo-2 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | ISS crew transport |
| Operator | |
| Mission duration | 63 days, 23 hours and 25 minutes |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Crew Dragon C206 Endeavour |
| Manufacturer | SpaceX |
| Launch mass | 12,519 kg (27,600 lb) |
| Landing mass | 9,616 kg (21,200 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 2 |
| Members | |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 May 2020, 19:22:45 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1058.1) |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| End of mission | |
| Recovered by | GO Navigator |
| Landing date | 2 August 2020, 18:48:06 UTC |
| Landing site | Gulf of Mexico |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Inclination | 51.66° |
| Docking with ISS | |
| Docking port | Harmony PMA-2 |
| Docking date | 31 May 2020, 14:27 UTC |
| Undocking date | 1 August 2020, 23:35 UTC |
| Time docked | 62 days, 9 hours and 8 minutes |
 NASA (left) and SpaceX (right) insignia  Behnken (left) and Hurley (right) Commercial Crew Development
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SpaceX Demo-2 was a very important space mission. It was the first time a private company, SpaceX, sent astronauts into space. This mission was a test flight of their new Crew Dragon spacecraft. It launched on May 30, 2020, at 7:22:45 PM UTC. The spacecraft, named Endeavour, traveled to the International Space Station (ISS).
The launch was first planned for May 27, 2020. However, bad weather caused it to be delayed. The mission was stopped just 16 minutes before it was supposed to take off.
Demo-2 was the first time astronauts launched into orbit from the United States since 2011. That was when the last Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, took place. One of the astronauts on Demo-2, Douglas G. Hurley, was also the pilot on that final Space Shuttle flight.
Hurley was the commander for the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission. He was joined by Robert L. Behnken, who was the joint operations commander. This mission was also the first time two astronauts launched into orbit from the United States since 1982.
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What Was the SpaceX Demo-2 Mission?
The SpaceX Demo-2 mission was a test flight. It was designed to show that the Crew Dragon spacecraft could safely carry astronauts to space. It also showed that it could dock with the International Space Station (ISS). Finally, it proved the spacecraft could bring them back to Earth. This mission was a big step for space travel. It meant that NASA could send astronauts from American soil again.
Why Was Demo-2 So Important?
For almost 10 years, the United States did not have its own way to send astronauts to the ISS. After the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, NASA relied on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. Demo-2 changed that. It marked the return of human spaceflight from the U.S. This was a major achievement for both NASA and SpaceX. It opened a new era of private companies taking people to space.
Meet the Astronauts: Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken
Two experienced NASA astronauts flew on the Demo-2 mission.
- Douglas G. Hurley was the spacecraft commander. He had flown on two Space Shuttle missions before.
- Robert L. Behnken was the joint operations commander. He had also flown on two Space Shuttle missions.
Both astronauts are good friends. They had trained together for many years. They even named their spacecraft Endeavour. This was after the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which they both flew on earlier in their careers.
The Journey to Space and the ISS
The Crew Dragon Endeavour launched on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The launch happened from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is the same launch pad used for Apollo missions to the Moon. The rocket lifted off perfectly. The Crew Dragon then separated from the rocket. It began its journey to the ISS.
The spacecraft traveled for about 19 hours. On May 31, 2020, it successfully docked with the ISS. This was the first time a private spacecraft with people on board docked with the space station. Hurley and Behnken joined the crew already living on the ISS. They spent over two months helping with research and maintenance.
Returning Home: Splashdown
After 62 days in space, it was time for the astronauts to return. On August 1, 2020, Hurley and Behnken undocked the Crew Dragon from the ISS. They began their journey back to Earth. The spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere. It used its heat shield to protect against the extreme heat.
Finally, the Crew Dragon deployed its parachutes. It splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico on August 2, 2020. Recovery teams quickly reached the capsule. They helped the astronauts out. This successful landing showed that the Crew Dragon was a reliable way to bring astronauts home.
Images for kids
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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine greet Behnken and Hurley at Kennedy, while wearing face masks and practicing social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SpaceX DM-2 Promotional Poster
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Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump watch the Crew Dragon Demo-2 Falcon 9 rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center.
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See also
In Spanish: Crew Dragon Demo-2 para niños
