

SpaceX
SpaceX’s space-bound Crew Dragon stars in spectacular preflight photos [gallery]
SpaceX and NASA are both participating in an exceptional media blitz on the verge of Crew Dragon’s orbital launch debut, sharing dozens of detailed photos and videos documenting the advanced spacecraft’s many years of development and its brief final voyage out to Launch Complex 39A (Pad 39A).
Scheduled to attempt its first launch at 2:48 am EST (07:48 UTC), March 2nd, CEO Elon Musk has already teased one significant part of a spectacular, hosted webcast SpaceX has prepared for the milestone launch, arguably the biggest step the company will have taken towards its foundational goal of “making humanity a multiplanetary species”. Riding along on the uncrewed demonstration mission will be a test dummy – Starwoman – known as Ripley, a close relative of the Starman character now orbiting the sun in deep space.
Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rolled out to the launch pad ahead of the spacecraft’s first test flight. Liftoff targeted for 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2 pic.twitter.com/Dud93ZrkgH
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 28, 2019
Coming straight off of SpaceX’s February 21st Falcon 9 launch of commsat PSN-6 and Spaceflight’s GTO-1 rideshare, the contrast with the media presence behind Crew Dragon’s launch debut is stark. Regular SpaceX launches have grown into a routine distribution of official behind-the-scenes photos: one photo of Falcon 9 vertical on the pad after the rocket goes vertical, a hosted webcast with excellent live views of the mission, high-quality launch photos taken by SpaceX or contracted photographers, and – less frequently – a rare photo or two of the booster’s landing. NASA-led launches are a different story entirely, followed by USAF missions in a distant second place.
SpaceX and @NASA have completed thousands of hours of tests, analyses, and reviews in preparation for Crew Dragon’s first test flight to the @space_station pic.twitter.com/JvJqeoLKVy
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 28, 2019
Particularly so given that NASA has funded 99-100% of Crew Dragon’s costly development, SpaceX customers can typically reserve the right to request special views and even post photos of their own in launch or program contracts. As a civilian federal agency, NASA is largely obligated to share photos, insofar as they generally play nice with arms trafficking regulations like the US’ ITAR. For any number of reasons, SpaceX has become noticeably less keen on sharing photos of its milestones and more routine operations, regardless of whether or not a given subject is likely to raise the ire of ITAR.
While the company still shares far more than they technically have to (i.e. nothing), competitors like ULA tend to share far more even for extraordinarily security-conscious National Reconnaissance Office launches. Regardless of the company’s reasons, to which they have every right, the floodgates have been opened in the two or so months that have built up to Crew Dragon’s inaugural launch.
Ripley pic.twitter.com/Z9Ztram8Ai
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 1, 2019
Combined, NASA and SpaceX have shared dozens of extremely high-quality photos of Falcon 9, Crew Dragon, and the general behind-the-scenes work required to make every launch (including this one) happen. SpaceX has also offered numerous rare glimpses into those processes, including rocket’s roll-out to Pad 39A and a brief 60-second overview featuring clips of much of the Crew Dragon development work that has been ongoing for 5+ years.
- Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 B1051 stand vertical at Pad 39A during preparations for a late January static fire test. (SpaceX)
- Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 B1051 stand vertical at Pad 39A during preparations for a late January static fire test. (SpaceX)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- A few hours later, Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon were lifted into the vertical position on SpaceX’s Transporter/Erector (T/E). (NASA)
- A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Demo-1 mission, Feb. 28, 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-1 mission will be the first launch of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft and space system designed for humans as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 2:49am launch on March 2, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system’s capabilities Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
- A glimpse of Crew Dragon’s interior. (SpaceX)
- Starwoman – nicknamed Ripley – will be riding along on Crew Dragon’s debut launch. (SpaceX)
Onwards and upwards
Put simply, this mission may be the most important launch since SpaceX graduated from Falcon 1 to Falcon 9 almost nine years ago. Founded by Elon Musk with a single-minded purpose of creating cost-effective, reusable rockets that could allow or at least motivate humans to one day reach Mars, the pursuit of human spacecraft has been on the minds and agendas of Musk and SpaceX since the company’s 2002 formation. If Crew Dragon’s orbital debut is successful, SpaceX will have taken the biggest step yet in the direction of those lofty aspirations, thanks in large part to the funding and expertise bestowed upon the company through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
While SpaceX technically owns and operates it, Crew Dragon is a fundamentally NASA-owned vehicle with respect to fundamental capabilities and limitations baked into its design. The countless hundreds of thousands of hours of experience derived from developing Crew Dragon will, however, feed directly into Starship, a spacecraft that will very nearly be SpaceX’s and SpaceX’s alone, from a blank sheet of paper to Mars (fate permitting).
- The DM-1 Crew Dragon testing inside SpaceX’s anechoic chamber, May 2018. (SpaceX)
- SpaceX’s Demo Mission-1 Crew Dragon seen preparing for vacuum tests at a NASA-run facility, June 2018. (SpaceX)
- The first spaceworthy Crew Dragon capsule is already in Florida, preparing for its November 2018 launch debut. The same capsule will be refurbished and reflown as few as three months after recovery. (SpaceX)
- The first complete Crew Dragon is likely just days away from rolling out to Pad 39A atop Falcon 9. (SpaceX)
- An impressive view of Crew Dragon (DM-1), Falcon 9 B1051, and its upper stage. (SpaceX)
- DM-1 and Falcon 9 were greeted by an extraordinary – albeit mildly bittersweet – dawn during their first-ever trip out to Pad 39A. (SpaceX)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon vertical at Pad 39A. (SpaceX)
- Crew Dragon shows off its conformal (i.e. curved) solar array while connected to SpaceX’s sleek Crew Access Arm (CAA). (SpaceX)
- Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon are raised vertical at Pad 39A ahead of a late January static fire test. (SpaceX)
- Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 B1051 stand vertical at Pad 39A during preparations for a late January static fire test. (SpaceX)
- Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 are ready for the spacecraft’s orbital launch debut, NET March 2nd. (SpaceX)
- SpaceX completed a successful static fire of the first Falcon 9 rated for human flight on January 24th. DM-1 is now NET March 2019. (SpaceX)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rolled out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon rollQDed out to Pad 39A on February 28th, roughly 60 hours before launch. (NASA)
- A few hours later, Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon were lifted into the vertical position on SpaceX’s Transporter/Erector (T/E). (NASA)
- A few hours later, Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon were lifted into the vertical position on SpaceX’s Transporter/Erector (T/E). (NASA)
- A few hours later, Falcon 9 B1051 and Crew Dragon were lifted into the vertical position on SpaceX’s Transporter/Erector (T/E). (NASA)
Check out Teslarati’s newsletters for prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket launch and recovery processes!
News
Starship Flight 9 nears as SpaceX’s Starbase becomes a Texan City
SpaceX’s launch site is officially incorporated as Starbase, TX. Starship Flight 9 could launch on May 27, 2025.

SpaceX’s Starbase is officially incorporated as a city in Texas, aligning with preparations for Starship Flight 9. The newly formed city in Cameron County serves as the heart of SpaceX’s Starship program.
Starbase City spans 1.5 square miles, encompassing SpaceX’s launch facility and company-owned land. A near-unanimous vote by residents, who were mostly SpaceX employees, led to its incorporation. SpaceX’s Vice President of Test and Launch, Bobby Peden, was elected mayor of Starbase. The new Texas city also has two SpaceX employees as commissioners. All Starbase officials will serve two-year terms unless extended to four by voters.
As the new city takes shape, SpaceX is preparing for the Starship Flight 9 launch, which is tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM CDT from Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for up to 25 annual Starship and Super Heavy launches from the site. However, the FAA emphasized that “there are other licensing requirements still to be completed,” including policy, safety, and environmental reviews.
On May 15, the FAA noted SpaceX updated its launch license for Flight 9, but added: “SpaceX may not launch until the FAA either closes the Starship Flight 8 mishap investigation or makes a return to flight determination. The FAA is reviewing the mishap report SpaceX submitted on May 14.”
Proposed Texas legislation could empower Starbase officials to close local highways and restrict Boca Chica Beach access during launches. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., opposes the Texas legislation, insisting beach access remain under county control. This tension highlights the balance between SpaceX’s ambitions and local interests.
Starbase’s incorporation strengthens SpaceX’s operational base as it gears up for Starship Flight 9, a critical step in its mission to revolutionize space travel. With growing infrastructure and regulatory hurdles in focus, Starbase is poised to become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s vision, blending community development with cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
News
United Airlines debuts Starlink Wi-Fi on Detroit flight
United’s first passenger flight with Starlink Wi-Fi just landed in Detroit. Mainline flights to follow by year-end.

United Airlines debuted Starlink Wi-Fi on its first passenger flight to Detroit, marking a milestone in in-flight connectivity with SpaceX’s satellite internet.
On Thursday, the morning flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport introduced high-speed, gate-to-gate Starlink internet for United Airlines passengers. The Starlink-equipped United Embraer E-175, tail number UA5717, departed at 7:35 a.m. for Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
United announced the rollout on X, stating, “That lightning-fast Wi-Fi we told you about? It’s here. Our first customers just found out what it’s like to break the Wi-Fi barrier and stream, scroll, shop, and game just like at home with Starlink. And it’s FREE for MileagePlus members. Rolling out across our fleet now.”
The service leverages Starlink’s 7,000+ low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver broadband globally, including in remote areas. United is the only major U.S. airline currently offering Starlink. The airline plans to expand the service across its two-cabin regional fleet and introduce it on mainline flights by year-end.
Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy tested Starlink’s Wi-Fi pre-launch, praising its ease and reliability. “I ran a speed test, and it clocked the Wi-Fi at 217 Mbps of download speed, and 26.8 Mbps of upload speed,” Cudahy shared, noting its suitability for long flights.
Beyond aviation, SpaceX is pitching Starlink as a GPS alternative, emphasizing its potential for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. This dual capability underscores Starlink’s versatility.
In a letter to the FCC, SpaceX wrote, “One opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity.”
As SpaceX expands Starlink’s applications, from aviation to navigation, United’s adoption signals a broader shift toward satellite-driven connectivity on long flights. With plans to equip more aircraft, United and Starlink are redefining in-flight internet, promising seamless digital access at 30,000 feet.
News
SpaceX touts Starlink as GPS alternative in FCC PNT push
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings.

SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS alternative. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX stated that it could leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.
GPS has been run through a single provider in the United States, the Defense Department. The FCC intends to use Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions to complement GPS technologies. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings in its letter to the FCC.
“As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity,” SpaceX wrote.
SpaceX also emphasized its ongoing work to integrate PNT into its cellular Starlink service, which is expected to be launched with T-Mobile in July. The private space provider also stated that Starlink satellites already operate independently of GPS. This lays the groundwork for resilient PNT delivery across authorized frequencies, SpaceX noted in its letter.
“SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.
“SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world,” SpaceX noted.
SpaceX also advocated for a “technology-neutral approach” to GPS alternatives in its letter, while critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for mobile satellite services. Meanwhile, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite provider, also pitched its services as a GPS complement, stating that its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”
“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outside of the L-band, which provides PNT users with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing. In addition, Globalstar’s satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, bolstering resilience, performance, and reliability,” GlobalStar noted.
SpaceX’s letter to the FCC can be viewed below.
Starlink GPS FCC by maria on Scribd
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