Crew access arm retracts from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.
The crew access arm retracts from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Photo credit: NASA

The launch director just gave a “go” for the crew access arm to retract away from SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.   

A few minutes later, Dragon’s launch escape system will be armed to allow the Crew-9 crew members to escape safely in the unlikely event of an anomaly from the moment the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off until the Dragon spacecraft reaches orbit.  

Propellant loading is coming up next. 

Crew Access Arm Retracts