April 26, 2024

NASA and SpaceX Delay Crew-4 Launch to International Space Station

NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts participate in a training session at SpaceX head office in Hawthorne, CA. From delegated right: NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 mission professional Jessica Watkins; NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 pilot Robert “Bob” Hines; NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 leader Kjell Lindgren; and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Crew-4 objective specialist Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy. Credit: NASA
The Flight Readiness Review for NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station has actually concluded, and groups are continuing towards a 5:26 a.m. EDT liftoff on Saturday, April 23, from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The date change supplies mission teams time to complete last prelaunch processing for the Crew-4 mission following the April 8 launch of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) to the spaceport station.
Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program at Kennedy Space Center, participates in a Flight Readiness Review for the companys SpaceX Crew-4 objective at the Florida spaceport on April 15, 2022. NASA and SpaceX objective supervisors held the FRR to confirm the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are all set for launch. Crew-4 is set up to introduce to the International Space Station from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A on April 23, 2022, as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
Objective groups continue to keep track of operational timelines with continuous area station activities, including upcoming spacewalks and the return of Ax-1 crew members. The weather forecast stays a watch product to make sure safe healing and launch operations for crew objectives. The Crew-4 date also supplies three consecutive launch chances with backups on Sunday, April 24, and Monday, April 25.
Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, takes part in a Flight Readiness Review for the agencys SpaceX Crew-4 mission at the companys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 15, 2022. Credit: NASA
The agencys flight readiness review was held on Friday, April 15, at Kennedy. The evaluation concentrated on the preparedness of SpaceXs team transport system, the International Space Station, and its global partners to support the flight, along with the certification of flight preparedness.

The Crew-4 flight will carry NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, mission commander, Robert Hines, pilot, and Jessica Watkins, objective professional and ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who will act as an objective expert, to the spaceport station for a science expedition objective. The astronauts will fly a brand-new Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, on a flight proven Falcon 9 rocket.
Crew-3 astronauts will crash off the coast of Florida following a brief handover with Crew-4 on the spaceport station.
gotten here at Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A, after making the journey from SpaceXs processing facility at nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After Dragon is mated to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the launch automobile will roll out to the pad and be raised to the vertical launch position.
In this illustration, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft approaches the International Space Station for docking. Credit: NASA/SpaceX
Before returning to Earth in the fall of 2022, the crew will spend several months conducting science and upkeep aboard the orbiting laboratory.

NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts take part in a training session at SpaceX head office in Hawthorne, CA. From left to right: NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 objective professional Jessica Watkins; NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 pilot Robert “Bob” Hines; NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 leader Kjell Lindgren; and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Crew-4 objective specialist Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy. Steve Stich, supervisor, Commercial Crew Program at Kennedy Space Center, takes part in a Flight Readiness Review for the firms SpaceX Crew-4 mission at the Florida spaceport on April 15, 2022. NASA and SpaceX mission managers held the FRR to confirm the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are ready for launch.