March 29, 2024

NASA Delays SpaceX Crew-3 Launch to the International Space Station

The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour is pictured throughout its method to the International Space Station on April 24, 2021. Credit: NASA
NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 1:10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, November 3, for the agencys Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station due to a large storm system meandering throughout the Ohio Valley and through northeastern United States this weekend, raising winds and waves in the Atlantic Ocean along the Crew Dragon flight path for the October 31 launch effort.
Weather conditions along the ascent passage are anticipated to enhance for a November 3 launch effort, and the 45th Weather Squadron anticipated predicts an 80% possibility of favorable weather at the launch site.
NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts take part in a countdown dress rehearsal at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 28, 2021, to get ready for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. The astronauts are at Launch Pad 39A with the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon behind them throughout the practice session. Credit: SpaceX
NASA astronauts Raja Chari, objective commander, Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission expert and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, likewise an objective expert, will introduce on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the firms Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-3 astronauts are arranged for a long-duration science objective aboard the orbiting laboratory, living and working as part of what is anticipated to be a seven-member team.
Release November 3 would have Crew-3 reaching the spaceport station later on the very same day about 11 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, for a brief handover with the astronauts that flew to the station as part of the agencys SpaceX Crew-2 objective.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the companys Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen at sundown on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-3 objective, Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Crew-2 NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet are currently targeting return in early November. Crew-3 astronauts are set to return in late April 2022.
NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts will stay at team quarters at Kennedy up until their launch. They will hang out with their families and receive technical and weather condition instructions in the next couple of days.
The Crew Dragon Endurance is scheduled to dock to the area station at 11 p.m. Wednesday, November 3. Launch and docking protection will air reside on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agencys website.
NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts take part in a countdown gown rehearsal at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 28, 2021, to get ready for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. From left are Matthias Maurer, with the European Space Agency, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, Crew-3 commander, and Kayla Barron. Credit: SpaceX
The Crew-3 flight will carry NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander; Tom Marshburn, pilot; and Kayla Barron, mission professional; in addition to ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, who will work as an objective professional, to the spaceport station for a six-month science mission, remaining aboard until late April 2022.
The Crew-2 mission with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will now target their undocking from the spaceport station for no earlier than Sunday, November 7, to go back to Earth.
NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 mission coverage is as follows (perpetuity Eastern):.
Tuesday, November 2.

8:45 p.m.– NASA Television launch coverage starts. NASA will have constant protection, including launch, docking, hatch open, and welcome ceremony.

Wednesday, November 3.

1:10 a.m.– Launch.
NASA TV coverage continues through docking, arrival, and the welcome event. In lieu of a postlaunch news conference, NASA leadership will provide remarks during the broadcast.
11 p.m.– Docking.

Thursday, November 4.

12:35 a.m.– Hatch Opening.
1:10 a.m.– Welcoming Ceremony.

NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts get involved in a countdown dress wedding rehearsal at the firms Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 28, 2021, to prepare for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. The astronauts are at Launch Pad 39A with the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon behind them during the rehearsal. Credit: SpaceX
NASAs SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a countdown gown rehearsal at the firms Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 28, 2021, to prepare for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. From left are Matthias Maurer, with the European Space Agency, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, Crew-3 leader, and Kayla Barron.