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Countdown to Inspiration4 launch
Excitement is building as SpaceX is just hours away from another historic launch attempt. This time, the crew will be comprised of only civilians. SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission is targeting a five-hour launch window on Wednesday, September 15, opening at 8:02 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At 8:02 p.m. Wednesday night, four people are scheduled to blast off from Florida on a 3-day mission to space on the first all-civilian crew.
They spent many months and hours learning how to fly the Crew Dragon capsule for the Inspiration4 mission and doing simulations like getting suited up and doing a 30-hour test inside the capsule.
RELATED: Inspiration4 payload will be auctioned to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
"We are doing everything for the first time. We are writing a couple of them, breaking a couple of them that NASA used to demand. Well, we get to kind of do things our own way," said Chris Sembroksi.
A CEO, cancer survivor, engineer, and professor are all writing new rules for space travel. Each of them is bringing something different to the space table.
Here's a breakdown of Wednesday's countdown schedule ahead of 8:02 p.m. liftoff (all times are approximate):
Hr/Min/Sec
00:45:00 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
00:42:00 Crew access arm retracts
00:37:00 Dragon's launch escape system is armed
00:35:00 RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
00:35:00 1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
00:16:00 2nd stage LOX loading begins
00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
00:05:00 Dragon transitions to internal power
00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
00:01:00 Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
00:00:45 SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
00:00:03 Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff
FOX 35 will have live coverage of the entire event starting at 7:30 p.m. on FOX35Orlando.com, the FOX 35 News App, and YouTube.com/FOX35.
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