NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program was the first launch of American astronauts on an American rocket from American soil since the last Space Shuttle mission in 2011.
The ASRC Federal team is proud to have played a contributing role to the successful launch of Demo-2 as part of the company’s ongoing mission support to NASA on the Kennedy Infrastructure, Applications and Communications (KIAC) contract, and to the Unites States Air Force’s 45th Space Wing as part of the Cape Launch Operations and Infrastructure Support (CLOIS) contract.
On launch day, ASRC Federal’s team of directors, producers and technicians pooled talents to bring the excitement of the countdown to a worldwide audience in real time, so everyone can be a part of NASA’s #LaunchAmerica effort. The team supported broadcasts of live events and activities, to include long range tracking and imagery of the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle.
“I am really excited by the successful launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon, and the tremendous achievement of the return of human spaceflight to US soil! NASA’s Commercial Crew program in conjunction with SpaceX has opened a new window to transportation to the International Space Station,” said Scott “Scooter” Altman, ASRC Federal senior vice president and former NASA astronaut. “I look forward to the crew’s safe return and to a bright future for the Commercial Crew Program.”
Additionally, ASRC Federal’s base operations and facilities infrastructure support team at the Cape worked to verify the operational readiness of support facilities and functions including power, water and HVAC systems. The team also provided service support by storing, inspecting and delivering explosive ordnance components which were installed on the Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 booster. On the launch pad itself, the team’s chemical lab experts calibrated toxic vapor detection equipment as final preparations were underway.
As NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley complete their assignments on the International Space Station and prepare for a return to Earth, the ASRC Federal teams at Kennedy Space Center will be working with their NASA and Air Force customers to prepare for their safe return.