NASA/SPACEX – Unmanned Test 19 Jan 2020 – 8.30 p.m. - Watch Live

 Today SpaceX 19^th Jan 2020 8.30pm SPACEX plans to do an “in-flight test of Crew Dragon’s launch escape capabilities” from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.. This Launch was planned to be conducted on 17 Jan but was postponed due to weather conditions at launch center. This Year in March 2020 a manned mission with astronauts is scheduled.
Hence today 19 Jan 2020 today “in-flight test” SPACEX wants to demonstrate how in a unlikely event of an emergency during a real launch the crew system will be protected and carry astronauts to safety detached from the launch vehicle.

What will happen today? ANIMATION: Interestingly a real Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle with “Crew Dragon” spacecraft will be purposefully failed and the crew dragon will separate from the launch vehicle called “Falcon 9”. Here is the ANIMATION of what exactly will happen today https://youtu.be/OtcnBSsjHmk  . “Crew Dragon” is name of the spacecraft with ability to carry upto Seven People and planned to be used by NASA as part of Commercial Contract with SPACEX. 

HOW TO WATCH LIVE: If launch is not postponed you can watch this live CLICK here 8.30 pm 19 Jan 2020 onwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhrkdHshb3E

Why it’s important?  This test LIVE ON YOUTUBE AT 19 Jan 2020 8.30pm is a unmanned mission i.e. does not have NASA astronauts onboard the spacecraft but will demonstrate the spacecraft “Crew Dragon” escape capabilities. That is today test will prove that in a unlikely event of an emergency during a real launch the crew system can protect and carry astronauts to safety detached from the launch vehicle. Here is official NASA Release on the test https://go.nasa.gov/2uYT9jr.

Gaganyaan – Is it important for us – India Pad Abort Test 2018 July 5^th :  as you are already aware of Gaganyaan Mission of ISRO .. in July 2018 ISRO also conducted a “Pad Abort Test” see the video here https://youtu.be/zNpGv0lcLJI . So today launch though not directly imp for us but any experiment in space that to when related to Human Space Flight is important to observe. This yearend 2020 ISRO also plans to conduct a Unamanned launch of GSLV MKIII with its own “Crew Module” as a preparation for Gaganyaaan. SPACEX conducted there Pad Abort Test in 6^th May 2015.