Remember when that science teacher John Cisna made headlines back in 2015 for losing more than 55 pounds in six months while eating only McDonald's foods?

How did he do it? By limiting his caloric intake to 2,000 calories per day and exercising regularly. While a diet largely consisting of French fries and burgers and other foods high in fats may not be ideal for your heart or arteries, Cisna's unique experiment proved that calorie regulation is the key to weight loss.

And in fact, a caloric deficit is the primary reason any specific type of diet can lead to weight loss. (Related: 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.)

One observational study of a group of Paleo Diet followers found that followers of the heart-healthy diet lost an average of five pounds over a three week period, but this weight loss came not only with a shift to eschewing beans, grains, sugar, dairy, and certain other proscribed foods, but also with an approximate drop of 500 calories consumed per day.

Ketogenic diets, wherein followers consume lots of fats, some protein, and very few carbohydrates, have proven to be as or even more effective than low-fat diets for efficiency of weight loss. But in one study cited by Healthline, both the keto and low-fat dieters "reduced calorie consumption," with lowered caloric intake driving the weight loss.

A Mayo Clinic analysis of the Atkins Diet concluded that: "Because carbohydrates usually provide over half of calories consumed, the main reason for weight loss on the Atkins Diet is lower overall calorie intake from eating less carbs."

And on it goes as you consider the Dukan Diet, the HCG Diet, a vegan diet, and so forth. To lose weight, you must ingest less and burn more calories.

For more weight loss news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter.

Continued here:
The One Thing All Successful Weight Loss Diets Have in Common - Yahoo Lifestyle

For a guy whose played Khal Drogo himself, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Jason Momoa's in legendary shape, thanks to hard-spent time in the gym and a strict diet, we'd assume. But the 41-year-old recently sat down with Mens Health during the latest installment of Vs. The Internet to reveal, once and for all, his secret to keeping fit: lots of pizza. (No, really.)

Momoa shared that he had to put on some serious weight to portray his Game of Thrones character, saying he was actually too small to fit the character description at the time. Thankfully, plenty of pizza and steak came to the rescue. Pair the heavy eating with some heavy weight lifting and he says thats how you get jacked.

Some guys are like genetically ripped and have abs and I dont, he said. I generally dont have a six-pack, which has been my nemesis forever. Ive always got a solid four-pack, maybe even a two-pack, and thats all about diet which is challenging for me.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Since eating healthy is a struggle, when hes not busy with work, you can catch the native Hawaiian actor doing some hard-core rock climbing to stay in shape. It may be difficult to carry his body weight as such a big guy (and the experience comes with plenty of pulled tendons), but Momoa says its a hobby hes loved his entire life. Because his body seems to be thriving because of it, one fan assumes he trains only for himself and doesnt need much preparation for moviesbut thats only half true.

I found it better for myself to train for things that I love. For instance, rock climbing has always helped me and inspired me. But for Dune, there was a lot of fight choreography, so generally I worked with my stunt team, learning to do different fights and a lot of cardio.

Men's Health

While Momoa's a bonafide A-lister now, he says he hit rock bottom in his career he when auditioned for a 2004 flick, Johnson Family Vacation, starring Solange Knowles. "I thought it would be funny at the time to go and hit on Beyonc's sister," he said. "I was so embarrassed for myself that I left the audition and I was going like, 'I quit,' and then I got the role. If it wasn't for Johnson Family Vacation, I wouldn't be here today because I would've given up."

Another day, another reason to be thankful for Beyonc.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Visit link:
Jason Momoa on His Workout Routine, Diet, and Game of Thrones - menshealth.com

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world - but researchers from Otago have found increased consumption of dairy products could improve those grim statistics.

A multi-year study by a team from Otago University has found the nutrient-rich drink could help protect against bowel cancer.

Associate professor Brian Cox from Otago Medical School told Newshub milk, in particular, has a strong relationship with reduced risk.

Other dairy products like yoghurt showed similar benefits, provided there are at least three servings a week.

"It's not clear whether that's related to something else which is associated with the disease, or whether it's the primary reason for a reduced risk. So that still needs to be teased out," said Cox.

Natalie Reynolds was diagnosed with bowel cancer a week after her 26th birthday.

View original post here:
Adding more milk or yoghurt to your diet could help reduce the risk of bowel cancer - Newshub

Highlights

Diwali is incomplete without delicious sweets and savory items, these should be had in moderation and it stands especially true for diabetics. It is imperative for diabetics to be careful about their diet during the festive season, to avoid disastrous post-Diwali impact. The extent to which diabetics can indulge in sweets during Diwali, depends on the individual's condition. Here are some diet tips for diabetics that will help them maintain their blood sugars this Diwali.

1. Keep mindful of the portion: Limit the portion size of sweets, savory, fried and fatty foods; eat your meals in smaller plates. You can replace sugars with natural sweeteners like Stevia or Splenda, which are safe substitutes.2. Avoid excessive consumption of Alcohol: Those extra glasses have done no good to anyone3. Do not let household chores stress you out: This is a very important step towards healthy living. Relax and enjoy(it's our favourite festival after all). Yoga may help for relaxation too.4. Avoid eating food at irregular timings: Fasting for longer durations can lead to Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and weakness which can be disastrous for Diabetics5. Feasting is avoidable too: It may lead to high sugar levels which is also not good. If you have to attend a dinner, try to balance it out by healthy snacking in advance.6. Focus on physical health: Don't forget to concentrate, on physical health by doing some exercises like walking, swimming, cycling etc. which is often neglected during festivities(Also Read:Diwali 2020: 8 Easy Diwali Recipes to Impress Your Guests and Relatives | Best Diwali Recipes)

Diwali 2020: Diwali sweets can get hard to resist

Few Tips For Healthy Fasting For Diabetics:1. Have slow absorbing foods (which have a low glycemic index, i.e. complex carbohydrates) before you begin the fast. Choose foods that will keep you full for longer, and will help in keeping your blood glucose levels stable, even during the fast. Fruits, vegetables, and salads can also be included; Insulin dosages and timings may be required to be adjusted.2. Be aware of symptoms related to low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia), act accordingly.3. It's recommended that you check your blood sugar levels a few times during the day. Your fast should also be broken if blood sugar is less than 70mg per percentage in the first few hours after you begin fasting.4. Don't leave your stomach empty for more than 2hrs at a stretch. Do consume fast-friendly beverages and food in between.5. Consume adequate water to maintain adequate hydration.6. It is mandatory for diabetics to monitor and routinely check the blood sugar levels. This is especially true because you are eating food you normally wouldn't. Regular monitoring will tell you how well you are responding to the changed meal patterns.7. A good way to avoid binging is by opting for nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews, but refrain from peanuts for mid-meal snacking. Also, try to stay away from high-calorie foods like deep-fried samosas. Drink plenty of water during the festive time, not only to cleanse your gut but also to keep you full, and to keep you away from gorging on unhealthy food. You can go for lime water, coconut water, and buttermilk. Reduce consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages as much as you can.

Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your dietPhoto Credit: iStock

Promoted

A diabetic always needs to be aware of the number of carbohydrates they are consuming. Restrict calorie-dense foods, and simple sugars like rice, sugar and fats. Consume high fiber vegetables and salads; you can have a good portion of protein like lentils, pulses and small portion of healthy fats.

Last but not the least, regular consumption of your prescribed medication and exercising will reduce stress levels and keep you safe. Have a happy and healthy Diwali!

About The Author:Dr Farah Ingale is the Director-Internal Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)

Original post:
World Diabetes Day: Expert Tips For Diabetics To Enjoy Diwali Sweets And Fast Safely - NDTV Food

Following a coronavirus infection, people can either feel fine and be asymptomatic, or show classic signs of the disease such as a high temperature. Why does being obese out you at higher risk of complications?

On Friday, November 13, a research paper was published online by Cambridge University Press.

The scientists noted obesity "alters innate and adaptive immune responses" in a harmful way.

"Creating a chronic and low-grade state of inflammation", the body becomes stressed.

Lactobacillus

Notably the most common type of probiotic, it's found in yoghurts and fermented foods.

Bifidobaxterium

Found in some dairy products, this is especially useful for easing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

The research paper added that as well as probiotics, adequate intake of nutrients from "unprocessed food" can help strengthen the immune system.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet "is an important part of maintaing good health", confirmed the NHS.

This means enacting portion control - "most people in the UK eat too many calories" warned the national health service.

Thus, "most adults in England are overweight or obese" - check your body mass index (BMI) here.

In order to lose weight safely, the NHS weight loss plan is a 12-week diet and exercise programme that could help.

Available online, on the App Store and Google Play, the plan is at your fingertips.

To lose weight safely, you can shed 1lb to 2lb each week by sticking to a daily calorie allowance.

For men, this means eating no more than 1900kcal a day; for women, this is 1400kcal.

In addition to reduced calorie consumption, regular physical activity is key in your weight loss journey.

The ideal BMI would place you in the healthy weight category between 18.5 to 24.9.

Originally posted here:
Coronavirus: Why obesity is a risk factor for COVID complications - and how to lose weight - Express

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | November 14, 2020 7:10:12 pmNo Indian festival is complete without sweets. Least of all, Diwali. (Source: Pixabay)

Diwali is an important festival that is celebrated across the country. It is all about getting together, having fun, eating good food and spreading merriment. This year, because of the pandemic, the festival may have to be celebrated a little cautiously, especially by those who are immuno-compromised.

Sweets and savouries are important components of Diwali food. No Diwali day can ever be complete until you have consumed, even devoured, them! For diabetics, however, staying away from sweets can be difficult, especially when everyone else is having them. It is imperative for diabetics to be careful about their diet during the festive season, to avoid disastrous post-Diwali impact. The extent to which diabetics can indulge in sweets during Diwali, depends on the individuals condition, says Dr Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi a Fortis Network Hospital.

She suggests some diet tips that can help them maintain their blood sugar level this Diwali.

* Limit the portion size of sweets, savoury, fried and fatty foods: Eat your meals in smaller plates. You can replace sugars with natural sweeteners like stevia or splenda, which are safe substitutes.* Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.* Do not let household chores stress you out: This is especially true for women, who bear the bulk of the workload. Relax and enjoy. Yoga may help.* Avoid eating food at irregular timings: Fasting for longer duration can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and weakness which can be disastrous for diabetics.* Feasting is avoidable too: It may lead to high sugar levels which are also not good.* Dont forget to focus on physical health by doing some exercises like walking, swimming, cycling etc., which are often neglected during festivities.

ALSO READ |From building immunity to improving digestion: Count on these 10 winter superfoods

If you are a diabetic and looking to fast this Diwali, Dr Ingale shares some healthy fasting tips:

Have slow absorbing foods (which have a low glycemic index, that is complex carbohydrates) before you begin. Choose foods that will keep you full for longer, and will help in keeping your blood glucose levels stable, even during the fast. Fruits, vegetables, and salads can also be included; Insulin dosages and timings may be required to be adjusted. Be aware of symptoms related to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), act accordingly if it occurs. It is recommended that you check your blood sugar levels a few times during the day. Your fast should also be broken if blood sugar is less than 70mg per percentage in the first few hours after you begin fasting.

Dont leave your stomach empty for more than two hours at a stretch. Do consume fast-friendly beverages and food items in between. Consume adequate water to maintain hydration. It is mandatory for diabetics to monitor and routinely check blood sugar levels. This is especially true because you are eating food you normally wouldnt. Regular monitoring will tell you how well you are responding to the changed meal patterns. A good way to avoid binging is by opting for nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews; stay away from peanuts for mid-meal snacking. Also, try to stay away from high-calorie foods like deep-fried samosas. Drink plenty of water during the festive time, not only to cleanse your gut but also to keep yourself full, and to keep you away from gorging on unhealthy food. You can go for lime water, coconut water, and buttermilk. Reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages as much as you can.

ALSO READ |FSSAI recommends four simple ways to reduce oil intake

Build your meals to incorporate fibre-rich foods like wheat or broken wheat khichadi, pulao, pongal, millets like sama chawal (barnyad millet) rice, amaranth flour for chapati, poori, buckwheat flour for poori, dosa, khichdi, rajgira for poori, paratha, makhana (fox nuts) for kheer, sighare ka atta for roti, chapati, samosa and poori.

If you are preparing sweets at home, prepare them with skimmed milk instead of full-fat milk. Use stevia or splenda instead of plain sugar. Instead of deep-fried foods, opt for baked, grilled ones. Include plenty of water, clear soups buttermilk, which are safe for diabetics as they are low in calories and are filling, the doctor advises.

For more lifestyle news, follow us: Twitter:lifestyle_ie|Facebook:IE Lifestyle| Instagram:ie_lifestyle

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest Lifestyle News, download Indian Express App.

IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

See the original post:
Are you a diabetic who loves sweets? Heres how you can safely savour them on Diwali - The Indian Express

Fluticasone propionate belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids. These drugs help reduce inflammation.

Due to this effect, a person may use some form of fluticasone propionate for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, allergies, or asthma symptoms.

In this article, we outline what fluticasone propionate is, the conditions that it treats, and how to use it. We also provide information on its safety, including its potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

Fluticasone propionate is a type of corticosteroid. These drugs help reduce inflammation in the body.

Various forms of fluticasone propionate are available for different uses. Some examples include those below.

Fluticasone propionate is available as a medication in the form of a topical cream or ointment. These products can alleviate the inflammation and itching associated with inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis. A person can use the product for short periods to help treat inflammatory skin flare-ups.

Cutivate is a brand name version of fluticasone propionate cream.

Fluticasone propionate is available as a nasal spray for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In this condition, the inside of the nose becomes inflamed as a result of breathing in allergens, such as dust, mold, or pollens. The medication works by reducing irritation and inflammation inside the nasal cavity.

Fluticasone propionate nasal sprays are available over the counter and via prescription. Both types are available in generic and branded versions. Flonase is a branded version of fluticasone propionate nasal spray.

An older study from 2010 notes that fluticasone propionate nasal sprays have few side effects and are effective in alleviating symptoms of nasal inflammation and congestion.

Fluticasone propionate is also available as an inhaled medication for the treatment of asthma symptoms. These symptoms may include:

As an inhaled medication, fluticasone propionate works by reducing the inflammation of the airways, allowing air to pass in and out of the lungs more easily.

Flovent HFA is a brand name version of inhaled fluticasone propionate.

When using a medication that contains fluticasone propionate, a person should follow the instructions of their doctor or pharmacist regarding the dosage and when to take the medication.

If a person is unsure of how to use a particular medication, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Below is some general information on how to use different fluticasone propionate medications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend against the use of Cutivate in children due to a lack of information about its safety and effectiveness in this age group.

Adults with an inflammatory skin condition should apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected skin twice daily as necessary.

After applying the cream, a person should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

The FDA provide the following instructions for the use of Flonase nasal spray:

Flovent HFA is not suitable for children below 4 years of age.

For all other age groups, the FDA recommend a starting dose of 88 micrograms twice daily.

The exact dosage that a doctor recommends will depend on the severity of the persons asthma and whether they have previously taken any type of asthma medication.

People who are otherwise healthy should be able to use fluticasone propionate medications safely. To ensure this, they should follow the instructions of their doctor or pharmacist with regard to dosage and timings.

The age at which children can use a fluticasone propionate medication differs according to medication types and brands. Parents and caregivers should check medication labels to ensure that their child is of a suitable age to receive the medication. If in doubt, a person should ask their doctor for advice.

People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should also talk to their doctor about the use of products that contain fluticasone propionate. A doctor will outline the potential benefits and risks of taking a particular medication.

Fluticasone propionate medications are not suitable for everyone. People with a weakened immune system or other chronic conditions should talk to their doctor about using fluticasone propionate.

Fluticasone propionate sprays and inhalants may interact with some medications, such as:

The above list is not exhaustive. As such, a person should talk to their doctor or pharmacist about any medications or supplements that they are taking before taking a fluticasone propionate medication.

A person should not need to change their diet while taking fluticasone propionate. However, they should talk to their doctor about the use of supplements or vitamins while taking this medication so that the doctor can identify any possible drug interactions.

The side effects of fluticasone propionate can vary depending on the product and its method of use.

The most common side effects of Cutivate include:

The most common side effects of Flonase nasal spray include:

The most common side effects of Flovent HFA include:

Doctors generally consider fluticasone propionate safe for otherwise healthy adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

A person should talk to their doctor about their likelihood of developing side effects or reactions to the particular medication that they are using.

A 2020 review notes that long-term use of corticosteroids can cause a variety of complications, including an increased risk of infections.

Using Cutivate for long periods or on large surfaces can increase the risk of a person developing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression. The condition involves the suppression of the immune system, which is typically reversible.

Flovent HFA can increase a persons risk of developing fungal infections of the mouth or throat.

A person should talk to their doctor about the potential benefits and risks of taking a particular medication. Anyone who needs to take a medication for an extended period should work closely with their doctor to determine the lowest effective dosage.

A person should talk to their doctor if they are considering using a product that contains fluticasone propionate. A doctor can review the persons medical history to help determine whether the product is likely to be safe and effective for them to use.

A person should also see their doctor if they experience a continuation of their symptoms while using a fluticasone propionate medication. Their doctor may be able to recommend an alternative medication or therapy.

Anyone who experiences side effects after using a particular medication should contact their doctor. If the side effects are severe or potentially life threatening, a person should seek emergency medical treatment.

Fluticasone propionate is a corticosteroid medication that helps reduce inflammation. The medication is available in different forms for different uses. These uses include managing symptoms of asthma and treating inflammatory skin conditions and allergic rhinitis.

A person should see their doctor before they begin taking a medication that contains fluticasone propionate. The doctor will review the persons medical history to determine whether the medication is safe for them to take.

Anyone who experiences side effects or worsening symptoms while taking this medication should talk to their doctor. The doctor may recommend adjusting the dosage or switching to a different medication.

Read more:
Fluticasone propionate: What is it, and what does it treat? - Medical News Today

November 17, 2020

FAIRMONT Commissioners here continue to take steps to address flooding in town, with the decision being made Tuesday to proceed with applying for a $2 million grant to fund improvements to a sewer pump system on Brown Street.

During the Board of Commissioners meeting, a public hearing was held on the towns plan to apply for up to $2 million in Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure funding from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. If awarded, the funding will cover the cost of repairs to the Brown Street sewer pump station.

Fairmont residents can be assured that they will not be asked to vacate their homes during the project, said Bill Lester, a principal engineer at LKC Engineering.

We absolutely will not be displacing anyone, Lester said.

The engineering firm will continue to help the town apply for funding for other projects, he said.

This project usually runs a 24- to 30-month course, Lester said.

We wouldnt get to construction until more than a year from now, he added.

Commissioner Terry Evans said infrastructure improvements are key to maintaining a town and the health and well-being of its residents.

A lot of this town beneath us is crumbling, he said.

The town has been approved to receive a $60,000 Community Development Block Grant Recovery grant, said Ricky Harris, interim town manager. The money will be used to help it clean out the canal near the Old Field area, if one more hurdle can be cleared.

We cant even do the canal until we get the permit, Harris said.

The engineers must get a permit from the state to move forward on that project, he said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be working in other towns in the county soon, and reached out to Fairmont for any needs it had related to flooding, Harris said. He submitted the canal area for the Corps review.

Commissioner Monte McCallum said the project to clear the canal needs to move forward soon. He said he has seen photos of homeowners bathtubs filled with sewage overflow.

Fairmont Public Works Director Ronnie Seals told commissioners that repairs must be made soon in some areas of town because of damages from the 9 inches of rain the town received Thursday.

Some areas of the town that did not flood during hurricanes Matthew and Florence did on Thursday, he said. Some residents had to access their homes via temporary roads made by the towns Public Works department.

An area on Taylor Street washed out, a pump at the towns wastewater treatment plant is no longer operational and the wastewater treatment plant access road is under water, Seals said.

We had to use tractors to get in and out, he said.

Commissioner Felecia McLean-Kesler commended Seals for his hard work to repair damages to the water and sewer systems.

Ronnie, I know your hands are full, but keep persevering, keep pressing forward, she said.

McLean-Kesler also asked town residents to be patient as the town works to repair its water and wastewater systems.

In other business, Town Attorney Jessica Scott said the town is working toward abatement of a property at 201 Pine St.

Its just taking some time to get that process started, she said.

She will continue to follow the necessary legal steps required in the process, Scott said.

Its such a significant deprival of the property, she said of securing the home from its owners.

Evans expressed interest in buying the property.

Scott said she has sent a letter to owners of a property on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive for which the Medicaid lien has been released. She asked the owners to clean up the lot, and told commissioners if the property owners refuse, the town will have to decide whether it wishes to pursue abatement of the property.

In other matters, Commissioner McCallum offered an explanation for his decision not to stand during the pledge at town meetings since May. McCallum said he is doing so to protest systemic racism and the death of George Floyd, who died in May after being restrained by a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd died after the officers knee remained on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

Every board meeting for 8 months is my protest towards that, McCallum said.

Theres no disrespect, he added. Thats just my silent protest.

Commissioner Evans said he has sat by McCallum each time in protest of racial injustices that continue in America. Evans and McCallum both served their country as members of the U.S. Army.

Also on Tuesday, Commissioner Charles Kemp asked interim Town Manager Harris to write a letter to state representatives requesting their assistance in finding grants to help pay for renovations to the towns youth center.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Follow this link:
Correction - The Robesonian

Update: SpaceXsuccessfully rocketed the four Crew-1 astronautsinto orbit.

NASA has given SpaceX the go-ahead to launch its first full crew of four astronauts toward the International Space Station (ISS).

If all goes according to plan, the company's Falcon 9 rocket will roar off its historic launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday night, careen through Earth's atmosphere, and jettison a Crew Dragon spaceship into orbit with the astronauts tucked inside.

"All systems are go for tonight's launch at 7:27 p.m. EST of Crew Dragon's first operational mission," SpaceX tweeted on Sunday morning.

After 27 hours of flying around Earth, the spaceship is scheduled to sync up with the ISS on Monday and dock to the facility at 11 p.m. ET. "Resilience," as astronauts named their ship, will stay for six months while the crew lives and works in orbit.

The planned flight would constitute NASA's longest human spaceflight ever as the $150 billion, football field-size laboratory enters its 20th year of continuous human habitation.

"This is the culmination of years of work and effort from a lot of people, and a lot of time, and we have built I think what I would call is one of the safest ... launch vehicles and spacecraft ever," Benji Reed, SpaceX's director of crew mission management, said during a Friday press briefing.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon "Endeavour" spaceship photographed by astronauts Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy while performing a spacewalk on July 1, 2020. NASA

The mission, called Crew-1, is the first of six round trips that the agency has contracted from SpaceX. NASA tapped astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi to carry out the historic flight.

In a final launch-readiness review on Friday, NASA gave SpaceX its official blessing for Sunday's liftoff.

The launch had been scheduled for Saturday evening, but mission managers decided to delay the flight. NASA cited "onshore winds" and "first-stage booster recovery readiness" as the reasons the latter refers to the Falcon 9 rocket's booster, which is programmed to land itself on a ship at sea after it releases the Crew Dragon into orbit. The booster can be reused in future launches, including crewed flights.

This is the fourth time NASA has pushed back the launch of Crew-1 due to numerous hiccups. The mission was originally scheduled to fly in late September.

"We're ready to go," Norm Knight, a flight operations manager for NASA, said during the briefing. "The journey to get here is one of resilience, and it was a hard journey with a lot of stuff going on and COVID affecting the teams."

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spaceship stand ready to launch NASA's Crew-1 from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on November 12, 2020. SpaceX

With the review complete, SpaceX will carry out its final preparations and keep a close eye on the weather. Rain, high winds, or too many puffy clouds could make conditions unsafe for launch. The skies and seas must also be clear at potential splashdown sites across the Atlantic Ocean, in case the rocket malfunctions and the Crew Dragon has to speed away.

As of Sunday morning, the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron projected a 50% chance of poor weather delaying launch. NASA and SpaceX are due to meet for a weather briefing around 3 p.m. ET, during which they'll decide to press on or try again a few days later, on Wednesday night.

The Crew Dragon Resilience and its Falcon 9 rocket in the SpaceX hangar at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 9, 2020, SpaceX

Technical issues could abort the mission at the last moment. That happened to a Falcon 9 launch on October 2: Just a few seconds before liftoff an automated flight computer shut everything down.

It turned out that lacquer from a corrosion-resistance treatment had clogged a tiny bore hole on a relief valve for one of the engines. This could have resulted in too much fuel entering the engines at the wrong time, caused an uncontrolled explosion, and damaged the engines, similar to a car backfiring though with much more power and potential consequences.

SpaceX says it has examined the entire rocket for Crew-1 to make sure no small crevices were clogged with lacquer.

Sunday's launch is the fruit of a decade-long effort to restore NASA's human spaceflight abilities, which have lain dormant since the Space Shuttles were retired in 2011. Through the Commercial Crew Program, NASA funded the development of the Crew Dragon to meet its requirements for flying astronauts.

On Tuesday the agency finally awarded SpaceX its human-spaceflight certification, making the Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 the first commercial launch system to receive the designation.

"Thank you to NASA for their continued support of SpaceX and partnership in achieving this goal," Elon Musk, SpaceX founder and CEO, said in a statement on the certification. "This is a great honor that inspires confidence in our endeavor to return to the moon, travel to Mars, and ultimately help humanity become multi-planetary."

SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, launched with a Falcon 9 rocket, lifts off with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley inside a Crew Dragon spaceship. SpaceX

SpaceX proved its ability to safely fly humans and return them to Earth with a demonstration flight, called Demo-2, that launched this summer.

That mission launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken in the world's first commercial human spaceflight. The men spent two months on the ISS before climbing back into the Crew Dragon, screaming through Earth's atmosphere, and parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico.

Astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley wish their families goodnight from inside the Crew Dragon capsule after launch, May 30, 2020. Screenshot via SpaceX/YouTube

The Crew-1 astronauts are about to weather the same ordeal, with a full-length ISS shift of half a year.

"The nerves start to really pile on as you get closer to launch," Hopkins told reporters in a call on Monday.

But the astronauts are busy with final preparations at NASA's facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida. They completed a dress rehearsal on Thursday, putting on their spacesuits, driving out to the launchpad, and boarding the Crew Dragon to practice for launch day.

The Crew-1 astronauts sit inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft during training. SpaceX via NASA

"I think that helps keep the nerves down a little bit," Hopkins said of the week's preparations. "Because you're just kind of going like clockwork through the procedure and the timeline."

Michael Lopez-Alegria, a retired astronaut who's flown to space four times and is slated to command SpaceX's first all-private flight next year for Axiom Space, said he had "no concerns" about the crew or ship ahead of launch.

"I have become inured, almost, to SpaceX launches," Lopez-Alegria told Business Insider. "They just continue to make incredible things look routine. ... But our mission, AX-1 one is going to fly with the same capsule that's going to be on Crew-1. So we'll be definitely paying attention and wishing the crew and teams from NASA and SpaceX all the best."

See the rest here:
NASA gives SpaceX the 'go' to launch 4 astronauts on Sunday - Business Insider - Business Insider