NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2: Teams Targeting Gulf of Mexico for Splashdown
Marie Lewis, NASA • August 1, 2020
SpaceX Capsule Splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico south of Gulf Shores
Watch live coverage of the SpaceX splashdown below...
SpaceX Crew Dragon DM-2 Splashdown coverage continues with splashdown scheduled at 1:48 p.m. CDT.
(OBA®) - UPDATE on August 2, 2020 at 7:55 am - At 12:36 pm there will be a communications blackout for about 6 minutes as the SpaceX capsule re-enters earth's atmosphere. At 12:42 pm communications will return.
The Trunk Separation will take place at 12:51 pm. The deorbit burn will last 11.5 minutes. On re-entry the outside of the capsule will reach temperatures in excess of 3,500 degrees. The inside the capsule will be 85°.
Parachutes will deploy at 1:45pm. The time of splashdown is now scheduled for 1:48 pm CDT.
At splashdown the capsule will be moving at 15 mph.
We have asked NASA if we'll be able to see the splashdown from the beach. NASA answered on their live feed... They said we should be able to see the orange and white parachutes, but they aren't sure.
Gulf of Mexico off of Pensacola and Orange Beach is primary target site for splashdown on Sunday.
(OBA®) - Following a scheduled assessment of weather conditions for splashdown, teams from NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with preparations to bring NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley home to Earth aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Endeavour” spacecraft.
Conditions are “Go” at the primary targeted site, off the coast Pensacola, and alternate site off the coast of Panama City in the Gulf of Mexico for splashdown and recovery on Sunday, Aug. 2. Teams will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias and evaluate impacts to the potential splashdown sites.
SpaceX will monitor changes to conditions until 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled undocking, when a determination to proceed with departure will be made. If conditions are marginal and exceed the accepted criteria, a joint recommendation by SpaceX and NASA will be made whether to proceed with undocking at 7:34 p.m. EDT. NASA and SpaceX will make the final decision to proceed after the astronauts are ready inside Crew Dragon just before undocking.
Live coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 return will begin at 5:15 p.m. and continue through the targeted splashdown at 2:41 p.m. EDT on Sunday, the first return of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft carrying astronauts from the space station. It will wrap up NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight after more than two months at the International Space Station.
Hurley and Behnken arrived at the orbiting laboratory in the Crew Dragon May 31 following a launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30. This is SpaceX’s final test flight and is providing data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, splashdown, and recovery operations.
More details about the return can be found in the Top 10 Things to Know for NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 Return.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Tennis Center looks brighter after a recent resurfacing project. All eight courts received new paint and striping, and four new on-court cabanas were also installed. These improvements provide local players with an updated place to practice, compete, and spend time outdoor
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Families and children will soon have access to a popular local playground once again. Crews have been working on site improvements to make the play space more comfortable for everyone. Progress on the scheduled park upgrades is steady. Visitors can return to enjoy the play equipment.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach Public Works recently completed placing a second batch of commemorative bricks at the Orange Beach Veterans Memorial. The bricks honor local veterans and first responders. Families and friends chose the memorial as a lasting way to recognize their loved ones. Branches of servi
NAS Pensacola, Fla. — (OBA) — The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, will host a 25th-anniversary commemoration honoring those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The event, Service and Sacrifice: Remembering 9/11, is free and open to the public. It will be held at the museum's Blue Angels Atri
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 27-year-old Foley man following a large-scale investigation into Internet Crimes Against Children. Investigators say the case resulted in one of the agency's largest digital evidence seizures. The suspect, Douglas Smith, is a Baldwin County resid
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores Fire Rescue invites the public to participate in its annual 9/11 Memorial and Stair Climb event. This year's event holds special significance, marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The free event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and no gear is requir
Baldwin County, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin Preparatory Academy is beginning a milestone school year. The school is welcoming 233 incoming 10th-grade students and expanding career opportunities and industry credentials. These programs are designed to prepare students for college, careers, and Baldwin County’s workforce.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach is gearing up for its sixth annual Freedom Fest, a patriotic two-day celebration that draws visitors from across the Gulf Coast. The event will take place at The Wharf in Orange Beach and will feature live music, arts and crafts, military booths, food vendors, and a classic ca
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Volunteers across coastal Alabama are being asked to give a few hours to protect the beaches, bays, and waterways that draw millions of visitors each year. The 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup is one of the state's best-known conservation events, and organizers say anyone can participate
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach is seeking a new leader to manage the Coastal Arts Center, a waterfront arts and events facility on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from managing an annual art festival to overseeing wedding and event bookings. City of
