SpaceX Crew-8 Mission Update
SpaceX is gearing up for the launch of the Crew-8 mission, with the Crew Dragon Endeavour perched atop a Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. However, due to high winds along the ascent corridor, the launch has been postponed. The liftoff is now scheduled for Sunday, March 3 at 10:53 p.m. EST. The delay is due to unfavorable weather conditions, including upper-level wind sheer and cloud cover near the launchpad.
Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage from the Kennedy Space Center Press Site leading up to the launch. You can watch the coverage here.
Meet the Crew
The Crew-8 mission crew comprises of four members, three of whom will be experiencing their first spaceflight. Michael Barratt, the pilot, brings experience from previous missions aboard a Soyuz and Space Shuttle Discovery to the ISS. He expressed his excitement for the collaborative effort between different entities in the realm of human spaceflight.
Jeannette Epps, a Mission Specialist, trained on multiple vehicles before finally getting the opportunity to travel to space with Crew-8. She emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present and shared a touching story about her late mother’s influence on her journey.
Commander Matthew Dominick, also flying to space for the first time, highlighted the significance of maintaining a continuous presence of astronauts in space. He shared his transition from a U.S. Navy test pilot to an astronaut, underscoring the meticulous planning involved in test piloting.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin rounds out the crew, bringing a diverse background in engineering and military aviation to the mission. He emphasized the need to absorb knowledge and be multifaceted in one’s pursuits.
Watch the individual interviews with the crew members here.
SpaceX Milestones
The Crew-8 mission marks the fifth flight of the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, setting a record as the flight leader among Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX has taken measures to ensure the readiness of the vehicle, including replacing valves to address corrosion issues from previous flights.
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, commended the thorough preparations for the mission, while Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s vice president of Build and Flight Reliability, highlighted the invaluable insights gained from previous crew and cargo missions.
Follow the latest updates and coverage of the Crew-8 mission here.
Read More of this Story at spaceflightnow.com – 2024-03-03 01:18:45
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