Archivo de la etiqueta: spacestation

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Will Help Conduct Science, Research on Station

During their time on the International Space Station, the members of Crew-8 will conduct new scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth.

Experiments include using stem cells to create organoid models to study degenerative diseases, studying the effects of microgravity and UV radiation on plants at a cellular level, and testing whether wearing pressure cuffs on the legs could prevent fluid shifts and reduce health problems in astronauts. These are just a few of the more than 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations taking place during their mission.

While aboard the orbiting laboratory, the members of Crew-8 will see the arrival of both the SpaceX Dragon and the Roscosmos Progress cargo spacecraft. Crew-8 also is expected to welcome the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts. A Soyuz spacecraft with three new crew members, including NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, will also launch during their stay, and the Soyuz carrying NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara will return to Earth.

Commercial crew missions enable NASA to maximize use of the space station, where astronauts have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years testing technologies, performing research, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted on the space station provides benefits for people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon and beyond through NASA’s Artemis campaign.

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Jason Costa

Hatch Closed on SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft

With communication checks complete, the hatch now is closed on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, which previously flew NASA’s SpaceX Demo Mission-2, Crew-2 and Crew-6, in addition to Axiom Mission 1. Liftoff for Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Alexander Grebenkin is two hours away at 10:53 p.m. EST.

Weather trends continue to improve, and launch is now 85% “go.” Flight through precipitation and the anvil cloud rule serve as the main weather concerns.

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Jason Costa

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Secured Inside Dragon Spacecraft, Ready for Hatch Closure

The crew has finished executing communication checks with the launch team, and their seats have been rotated into position for launch.

For additional live launch coverage of the Crew-8 mission, watch now on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, or the agency’s website, and follow along on the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, X, and Facebook.

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Jason Costa

All Aboard! Astronauts Climb into Dragon Endeavour

The Crew-8 crew members now are boarding SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft.

Before entering their spacecraft, all four crewmates signed the inside of the White Room, an area at the end of the crew access arm that provides access to the spacecraft. The term “White Room” dates to the Gemini program. To honor tradition, the room is still painted white today.

As the crew enters Dragon, their seats are configured in an upright position. Once the crew is securely inside, the seats will be rotated into a reclined position for launch, just before teams close Dragon’s side hatch, coming up near the end of the hour.

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Jason Costa

NASA, SpaceX Target Crew-8 Launch for Sunday, March 3 on Weather Concerns

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday, March 3, for the launch of the agency’s Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch attempt March 2 was postponed due to unfavorable conditions in the flight path of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.

NASA will provide coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m., March 3, of the upcoming launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station.

The Crew-8 launch will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin to the orbital laboratory. The targeted docking time is about 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):

Sunday, March 3:
6:45 p.m. – Launch coverage begins
10:53 p.m. – Launch

Following conclusion of launch and ascent coverage, NASA coverage will continue with audio only, with full coverage resuming at the start of the rendezvous and docking broadcast.

NASA Television will resume continuous mission coverage prior to docking and continue through hatch open and the welcome ceremony. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv/

12:30 a.m. (approximately) – Postlaunch news conference on NASA TV

• Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program
• Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program
• Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX

Tuesday, March 5:
1 a.m. – NASA TV arrival coverage begins
3 a.m. – Targeted docking to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module

Hatch opening will be approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after docking followed by welcome remarks aboard station. All times are estimates and could be adjusted based on operations after launch. Follow the space station blog for the most up-to-date operations information.

More details about the Crew-8 mission can be found by following the Crew-8 blog, the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew on X, and commercial crew on Facebook.

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Jason Costa