SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Capsule Carries Four Astronauts to ISS for Six Months – Sky Bulletin
[ad_1]
On Sunday, a quartet of astronauts launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for a six-month mission on board SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. They are scheduled to supervise the advent of two novel rocketships during their term in space.
The Kennedy Space Center was the departure point as SpaceX’s Falcon rocket soared into the sky. The team comprises NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, alongside Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.
By Tuesday, the astronauts expect to dock with the ISS, taking over from an international crew of American, Danish, Japanese, and Russian members who have inhabited the station since August.
Space station commander Andreas Mogensen tweeted in anticipation, “When are you getting here already?” His message followed the flight’s three-day postponement due to high winds.
Another delay seemed imminent on Sunday due to a minor crack in the spacecraft’s hatch seal. However, after rapid assessments, it was determined that the crack posed no risk to the mission.
During their prolonged stay on the ISS, the crew will witness the arrival of NASA-ordered rocketships. Boeing’s Starliner capsule, piloted by test drivers, is anticipated later in April. This will be followed by Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, a smaller shuttle intended for cargo delivery, expected one or two months thereafter. Epps, originally slated to be on Starliner before its setbacks, was reassigned to SpaceX.
The SpaceX crew of the Dragon spacecraft, from left, cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, pilot Michael Barratt, commander Matthew Dominick, and mission specialist Jeanette Epps gather for a photo after arriving at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Epps takes pride in serving as a role model for young Black girls, showcasing spaceflight as a tangible goal. After working at Ford Motor Co. and the CIA, she joined NASA in 2009 and nearly became the first Black woman for a long-duration ISS mission in 2018 before an undisclosed change.
Dominick, a Navy pilot, and Grebenkin, a former Russian military officer, are making their maiden voyage to space.
Astronauts, from left, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, pilot Michael Barratt, commander Matthew Dominick, and mission specialist Jeanette Epps wave to the media as they leave the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to Launch Pad 39-A, Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Barratt, a veteran doctor-astronaut on his third spaceflight, approaches his 65th birthday in orbit. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining health and engagement for astronauts’ readiness to fly.
ISS crews are also contending with a cabin air leak on the Russian side, which has doubled recently. Though the area has been isolated, NASA’s Joel Montalbano insists that crew safety and station operations are unaffected.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The successful launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon not only continues the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX but also highlights the ongoing international partnership involving Russian cosmonauts. As the crew sets out on their six-month stay aboard the ISS, they not only embark on scientific and exploratory missions but also reinforce the message of inclusion and representation in space exploration. With the eyes of the world upon them, their voyage stands as a testament to human determination and technological achievement for the future of space discovery.
[ad_2]