D-1 to First US Private Manned Spacecraft Launch...Foreign Media Say "A New Era of Spaceflight Industry Will Begin"
First Private Manned Spacecraft in the US Launches at 4:33 PM Local Time on the 27th
Foreign Media: "Weather is a Variable... Will Change Global Perception"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] On the day before the first-ever private manned spacecraft launch in the United States, the world’s attention was focused on Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Major foreign media expressed high expectations, stating, "If this launch succeeds, it will open the era of private space exploration."
According to foreign media including the AP on the 26th (local time), SpaceX, a private space exploration company founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, and NASA completed final launch preparations on the same day.
The goal of this launch is to send NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (52) and Bob Behnken (48) to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the manned capsule 'Crew Dragon' carrying the two astronauts into space.
The launch is scheduled for 4:33 PM on the 27th (5:33 AM KST on the 28th) at Kennedy Space Center. U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are also expected to visit Kennedy Space Center to witness the launch in person.
Foreign media pointed out that weather could be a variable affecting SpaceX’s final launch but predicted that if the launch succeeds, a new era of private commercial space exploration will begin.
The New York Times stated, "It could forever change the world’s perception of sending people into space."
Forbes, citing a recent statement from private space exploration company Virgin Galactic, analyzed that this launch will have a significant impact on the space tourism industry.
George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic, expressed support for the impact on the space tourism industry in a statement, saying, "The opportunities and possibilities this launch could bring are endless, such as enabling researchers and commercial astronauts to experience space at more reasonable costs and methods."
Eric Stallmer, Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, also said, "This will be the beginning of opening opportunities for the growth of the spaceflight industry, not limited to a single operator," and predicted, "Soon, we will see not only Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin but also Virgin Galactic providing services to spaceflight participants."
Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, described the launch at a press conference as "a unique moment to see America accomplish something amazing again."
This launch marks the first manned spacecraft launched from the U.S. in nine years since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. It is an event where the U.S., which was hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, can showcase its space science and technology capabilities.
Regarding the weather, it was stated that the probability of suitable weather conditions for the spacecraft launch on the day is 60%, adding, "Our top priority is the safety of the astronauts, and things are moving in a good direction."
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If the launch is postponed due to worsening weather conditions, SpaceX and NASA plan to attempt a second launch on the 30th.
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