Home Launch
NASA astronauts are poised to blast into orbit from home turf on a private company's rocket - a first since the end of the space shuttle era in 2011.
The AP is staffing the launch in all formats from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Due to the pandemic, the number of media allowed at Kennedy Space Center has been limited, and press briefings are being held remotely.
The AP plans the following coverage. All times Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org
FRIDAY, MAY 29
HOME LAUNCH: NASA and SpaceX hold a briefing on the eve of their second launch attempt to the International Space Station. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos, video; developing from 10 a.m. news conference.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
HOME LAUNCH: After a weather delay, SpaceX tries again to launch two NASA astronauts from Florida to the International Space Station. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos, live video; developing from 3:22 p.m. launch. With HOME LAUNCH-CREW; HOME LAUNCH-SPECTATORS
SUNDAY, MAY 31
HOME LAUNCH-DOCKING: Spot coverage of capsule docking at International Space Station. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, video; developing from 10:29 a.m. docking.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
HOME LAUNCH-SPACE STATION: Spot coverage of interviews aboard the International Space Station. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos, video; developing from 11:15 a.m. news conference.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
HOME LAUNCH-COMMERCIAL FUTURE: SpaceX's debut astronaut launch would be the biggest, most visible opening shot yet in NASA's grand plan for commercializing Earth's backyard. Private astronauts, commercial space stations, space tourists and hotels: This is the future NASA is striving to shape as it eases out of low-Earth orbit and aims for the moon and Mars. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
PREVIOUSLY MOVED:
HOME LAUNCH-PREVIEW: For the first time in nearly a decade, astronauts are about to blast into orbit aboard an American rocket from American soil. And for the first time in the history of human spaceflight, a private company -- SpaceX -- is providing the ride. SENT: 1,300 words, photos, video.
HOME LAUNCH-TEST PILOTS: The two NASA astronauts who will fly SpaceX's brand new rocketship are classmates and friends, veteran spacefliers married to veteran spacefliers, and fathers of young sons. They are NASA's first test pilot crew in decades. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.
HOME LAUNCH-SPACEX: A look at SpaceX, one of two private space companies that NASA hired to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station from home turf. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
HOME LAUNCH-SPACE STYLE: The first astronauts launched by SpaceX will break new ground for style with Tesla roadsters, color-coordinated space capsules and rockets, and sleek spacesuits. SENT: 600 words, photos.
HOME LAUNCH-CAPSULE: Cape Canaveral's last capsule launch with a crew was 45 years ago. SpaceX's flashy, new Dragon capsule outshines the old Apollo spacecraft in virtually every way. SENT: 650 words, photos.
HOME LAUNCH-SPECTATORS: In ordinary times, the beaches and roads along Florida's Space Coast would be packed with spectators eager to witness the first astronaut launch from Florida in nine years. In the age of coronavirus, local officials are mulling if that's possible and NASA wants everyone to stay away. SENT: 700 words, photos.
HOME LAUNCH-ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE: The two astronauts who will end a nine-year launch drought for NASA arrived at Kennedy Space Center, one week before their historic SpaceX flight. SENT: 600 words, photos, video.