

SpaceX
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon flawlessly docks with space station in spectacular orbital debut
Nearly half a decade and millions of hours of work have finally paid off after SpaceX’s Crew Dragon pulled off a flawless orbital debut, launching atop the first crew-rated Falcon 9 and docking with the International Space Station (ISS) a little over 24 hours later.
For what CEO Elon Musk described as a spacecraft with barely a part shared with the company’s already operational Cargo Dragon, such an unremarkable (in terms of surprises) launch debut is a massive achievement that speaks directly to the success of the NASA-SpaceX partnership and the exhaustive design, testing, and optimization directed at Crew Dragon. Having now completed two major trials – launch and docking – for DM-1, the spacecraft’s third and final hurdle will occur on March 8th when it attempts to safely return to Earth.
SpaceX team in Hawthorne control, Dragon docked to Station above pic.twitter.com/JUWkOrWjsH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2019
Beginning around 3:30 am and lasting til 10:45 am EST (08:30-15:45 UTC), SpaceX and NASA employees hosted live coverage of Crew Dragon’s inaugural visit to the International Space Station (ISS), a process that included multiple demonstrations of the spacecraft’s ability to approach, halt, and reverse. Almost ten minutes ahead of schedule, Crew Dragon successfully docked with the ISS in a first for SpaceX, having previously only conducted berthings with its Cargo Dragon vehicle.
- From render…
- to reality. (SpaceX/NASA)
Having also debuted a previously untested docking adapter (the International Docking Adapter, IDA), the Station’s three astronauts worked to open Dragon’s hatch, a task which they completed an hour or two after “capture”. This was rapidly followed by the astronauts entering SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, another historic first for the crew-rated spacecraft. They were greeted by Ripley (also known as Starwoman) and what Anne McClain described as small Earth, the stuffed globe that was included partially as a joke and a “super high tech zero-g indicator” according to Musk. After determining that Crew Dragon’s atmosphere was non-toxic, the astronauts removed breathing masks and returned to the capsule’s interior to formally welcome it to the ISS as the world’s newest orbital spacecraft, as well as the first commercially-developed vehicle meant to carry humans into orbit.
The dawn of a new era in human spaceflight pic.twitter.com/BHsfg1zYLN
— COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) March 3, 2019
While it may be unintuitive, the two dozen or so relatively slow and quiet hours that followed Crew Dragon’s launch were and remain far more important, and the spacecraft’s flawless on-orbit performance has thus far retired a huge number of concerns front and center for the first true launch of any spacecraft, let alone one designed specifically to carry astronauts and keep them safe. Thus far, Crew Dragon has done exactly that, approaching the ISS and docking with nary a hiccup, as if the rendezvous was the umpteenth and nothing out of the ordinary.
Technical achievements aside, the live coverage of Crew Dragon’s patient approach was perhaps some of the most spectacular and emotionally compelling content yet provided by SpaceX and NASA. At one point, as orbital sunset neared, a NASA ground controller requested that the spacecraft’s onboard spotlight be enabled to continue the docking approach, to which the SpaceX engineer hosting the webcast remarked on just how incredible and surreal it was to watch Crew Dragon methodically approach the station from less than 100 feet away. In fact, he had apparently spent “months” with that very same LED spotlight array on his desk, working to build, qualify, and test it to ensure that the light system was ready for spaceflight, just one of hundreds or thousands of seemingly minute details that one or several employees spent major portions of their lives working on.
- A live view of the ISS from cameras aboard Crew Dragon. (NASA/SpaceX)
- (NASA)
- (NASA)
- A better view of the solar array half of Crew Dragon’s trunk section. (NASA)
- (NASA)
- (NASA)
Come launch and on-orbit operations, SpaceX and NASA employees across the US hung on this mission’s every step with a singular nervousness, focus, and pride that easily beat even the buzz that surrounded Falcon Heavy’s iconic launch debut. Humanity as a whole may have paid significantly less attention to Crew Dragon’s launch debut, but almost every SpaceX employee appeared readily cognizant of the fact that this mission symbolized something radically more important and more fundamental to the company. Founded to ultimately help humanity take permanent steps beyond Earth orbit, Crew Dragon’s thus far flawless debut brings SpaceX as close as its ever been to shouldering the heavy responsibility of launching humans into space, be they NASA astronauts, paying tourists, or Martian hopefuls.
If all continues to proceed apace, DM-1 will conclude with Crew Dragon’s first orbital-velocity reentry on March 8th. Pending that capsules refurbishment and an equally bug-free in-flight abort test NET April to June, SpaceX and NASA could conduct the first crewed launch of Crew Dragon less than six months from now in July 2019. Much work lies ahead and delays are undeniably possible (if not probably), but – as they say – so far, so good.
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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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