Chris G - NSF

NASA: Still testing a lot of things on this mission. Life Support, touch screens, manual control, etc. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA

Zeb (NASA Flight Director): This is like the world series, superbowl. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA

Zeb: For DM-2, Falcon 9 puts Dragon into a safe orbit with launch. About 24hrs to Station; assuming launch on 27 May, docking would occur on 28 May. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA

NASA: Have built in VARIABLE mission duration to balance ISS and Crew-1 Dragon mission to follow. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Will also be testing Dragon's role as a safe haven or emergency evac craft for ISS crew on this mission. Dragon will also bring supplies back from ISS. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Undocking to splashdown is about 24 hours. Splashdown will be in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji (SpaceX): "It's a sacred honor to bring the crew to Station, keep them safe, and bring them home to their families." #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: We focus on Crew Dragon, the crown jewel. But there's a whole system that runs through everyone at SpaceX for Falcon 9, communication, safety... #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: We're getting appropriately nervous. We're 26 days to launch. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Over 700 tests of the SuperDraco emergency escape system. 1000s of Draco thrusters. TODAY will be the 27th test of Mk. 3 parachutes! #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: That whole process, Demo-1, just went exactly as we wanted it. We learned a lot. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: This is also a test mission. Quotes @JimBridenstine: "This will be the 5th time in the US and 9th time worldwide that humans will fly on a new system." #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Will do Static Fire as usual. Will also have a separate Crew Dry Dress where crew will get suited up, they go to the pad, get into Dragon, hatch will be closed, and they'll sim fueling and T0. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Crew suits up 4hrs before launch. Transport to pad is 3hrs before launch. Get them in. Get hatch closed. Retract crew arm T-38 minutes and arm Crew Dragon abort system. T-35mins, begin fueling. T0: LIFTOFF. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Goal is to recover Dragon and have it on the ship and crew out 1hr after splashdown. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Decision for longer mission 6 months ago (???). About 210 days is what NASA thinks is max for Dragon for this mission. That's the limiting factor in duration. But Crew-1 schedule tracking is the driving factor. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: Higher risk of weather-related scrubs expected on crew missions of Dragon. (ME: This should be fun for a Florida summer afternoon!) #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji acknowledges he would expect weather-related scrubs for DM-2 given "this time of year" in Florida. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

NASA talking about how the SpaceX crew suits are full pressure suits and are leak-proof. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Q: When this this Dragon be reused? A: Benji... Crew Dragons are fully reusable. This one will be brought home and refurbished for another mission. (ME: It better go straight to a freaking museum.) #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Q: Why are solar arrays so limited? A: NASA... All solar arrays degrade over time. The particular cells on this Dragon trunk given early are "worst case scenario" numbers. "Will watch their performance in flight and make a decision on data." #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: Dragon is the most advanced spacecraft. It should be inspiring in look... just like the control system -- which is a "modern feat of engineering" utilizing touchscreen. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Banji: Touchscreens now give crew instant access to all info on craft. A few manual controls for aborts as mandated for safety overrides. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

CAPCOM (person who talks to crew) for Demo-2 will be a NASA person.... AND a CORE (sp?) group at SpaceX who will be responsible for talking to the astro during all phases of flights. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Spacesuit question! Benji: Suits are really a subsystem of the vehicle. Designed to keep you safe while in the vehicle in case of loss of atmosphere. It's a 1-piece suit -- gloves and all! #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon

Benji: Suits will be used on launch, docking, undocking, and reentry and splashdown. #Demo2 #DM2 #SpaceX #NASA #CrewDragon