Are the fins on the trunk just aesthetic, or do they serve some aerodynamic purpose?

I can't imagine they'd ever do anything (other than maybe paint) purely for aesthetics. I'd guess they help to stabilize the capsule when going through the atmosphere (like an arrow), but I don't know that for sure.

You mean on re-entry? If so, I presume they jettison the trunk well before atmospheric interface.

Looks like it's for aborting.

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Ah, okay, thanks. Just helpful in an abort scenario.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One step closer to launch! ��<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon are now on the launch pad ahead of liftoff, which is slated for May 27 at 4:33 pm ET. The mission will mark the first time astronauts have launched from U.S. soil since 2011: <a href="https://t.co/6ZixIS3upc">https://t.co/6ZixIS3upc</a> <a href="https://t.co/DOjQRqUp2g">pic.twitter.com/DOjQRqUp2g</a></p>&mdash; NASA&#39;s Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy/status/1263488927954079753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sweet! Have they done a test-fire on the Falcon yet?

Don't think so.

Looks like static fire is scheduled for tomorrow.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comm...ion_2_general/

Yep. Tomorrow:


05/21/2020 06:49
Spaceflight Now Spaceflight Now

The Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule atop is being moved to the upright position at launch complex 39A in readiness for an engine test firing tomorrow.

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In some kind of cool non-SpaceX news, Virgin Orbit is testing their launch system this weekend. It's not as exciting as all of the manned stuff, but it'll be interesting to see if they can make satellite launches from beneath a 747 work.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first orbital test flight of Virgin Orbit’s privately-developed air-launched rocket is scheduled as soon as Sunday off the coast of Southern California.<br><br>The liquid-fueled LauncherOne rocket is designed to loft small satellites into orbit.<br><br>FULL STORY: <a href="https://t.co/uKeZAluKQd">https://t.co/uKeZAluKQd</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y1wujIUzNj">pic.twitter.com/Y1wujIUzNj</a></p>&mdash; Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1263611444500758534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Any word on when the test-fire is scheduled for today?

4:33pm Eastern (same time as the live launch). I'm guessing they're treating a lot of it like a wet dress rehearsal.