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) — Orange Beach will host a community blood drive this month, offering residents the chance to help save lives close to home. The LifeSouth Bloodmobile will be parked at Orange Beach City Hall for the one-day event. Donors can walk in or schedule an appointment in advance. All donors will rec
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The South Alabama Land Trust is bringing two wildlife experts together to discuss one of Alabama's smallest yet most important coastal residents. The organization, known as SALT, is hosting a free public event focused on the endangered Alabama Beach Mouse. The event is part of SALT's ongoin
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The Annual National Shrimp Festival is inviting people to help create a new name for its fans. Organizers have launched an online contest for submissions. The winning entry will receive a swag bag from the festival’s merchandise tent. The contest aims to replace the usual term for attendees
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County will waive battery disposal fees during a local collection event. The effort aims to provide residents with a safe way to dispose of batteries. Officials ask residents not to place batteries in household trash or recycling bins. The free
Baldwin County, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County pet owners now have access to a discount voucher program to help cover the cost of spaying or neutering their animals. The Baldwin County Animal Shelter offers vouchers to residents across the county. The program has operated for nearly two years and continues to help thou
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Experience the Oyster is returning to The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for its fifth year, bringing together some of the South's best chefs and oyster farmers for a full weekend of coastal cuisine. The event is presented by Murder Point Oysters, a well-known Alabama oyster company that
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Swimmers, cyclists and runners are gearing up for one of Alabama's most beloved endurance events. Registration is now open for the 19th annual Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon in Gulf Shores. The Hangout will serve as race headquarters for the event. Athletes of all experience level
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — The Baldwin County Fair has been a fixture in south Alabama since 1948, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Robertsdale each fall. Organized by the Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association, the event features carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, and locally pr
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Parrot Heads will return to Gulf Shores this fall for Meeting of the Minds. The gathering celebrates Jimmy Buffett, trop rock music, and the community built around his songs. Live music and charity events are planned. The Hangout will again be the center of the celebration.
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Foley Community Library is launching a new public education series this fall, with the first event addressing a topic that affects yards, forests, and wetlands across the Gulf Coast. The library's new Bites and Insights series will feature experts discussing topics of local importance.
