In a first for SpaceX, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will be the first astronauts sent into space in nine years in a Demo-2 spacecraft.
The astronauts, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, will be travelling to the International Space Station in the Crew Dragon rocket. This all going ahead while SpaceX founder Elon Musk has been making comments about living in a âfascist stateâ and that the Coronavirus is causing âforcible imprisonmentâ.
Despite Muskâs comments, the astronauts will be put into quarantine prior to the flight in order to safeguard and protect them. In a comment from SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell, âWeâve had Bob and Doug here for training. We are ensuring that only essential personnel are near them. Theyâre wearing masks and gloves. Weâre cleaning the training facility twice daily.â
She continued, âWe are largely doing the same thing for our employees. We are nothing if our employees arenât in great health and able to work with a clear mind and with a healthy system. So weâre taking temperatures. Weâre wearing masks in public areas. We are social distancing as well. Weâve got at least half of our engineering staff working from home.â
The launch will be televised on NASA TV and their website. This will definitely be an event to watch.