SpaceX Crew Dragon Spacecraft Set To Launch Saturday From Kennedy Space Center

By NASA // February 27, 2019

Liftoff targeted for 2:49 a.m. EST

Liftoff is targeted for 2:49 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA Image)

(NASA) – Three days remain until the planned liftoff of a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket—the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans.

Liftoff is targeted for 2:49 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Demo-1 mission to the International Space Station serves as an end-to-end test of the system’s capabilities.

The launch weather forecast continues to look promising; meteorologists with the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing predict an 80 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time.

Thick clouds or cumulus clouds that would violate launch requirements are the primary weather concerns.

On March 2, @NASA and @SpaceX are launching the first-ever test flight of the #CrewDragon spacecraft built to carry astronauts into orbit. We’re preparing to once again launch American astronauts from American soil on American rockets. More: https://t.co/CC9iGjAgQz #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ixFdzRM9IX

— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) February 27, 2019

The first test flight of @SpaceX‘s #CrewDragon capsule is set to launch at 2:48am ET on Saturday, March 2 from @NASAKennedy. Weather forecasters are predicting an 80% chance of favorable launch conditions. Learn more about this mission: https://t.co/cddiVNw2wY pic.twitter.com/XutoIIn7Q4

— NASA (@NASA) February 26, 2019