On Thursday, February 23, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft Endeavour that will bring the team to the International Space Station reached the launch complex after rolling out from the SpaceX combination garage surrounding to the pad and was raised into a vertical position for launch. The Endeavour spacecraft formerly flew NASAs Axiom, inspiration4, and crew-1 Mission-1 astronauts.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the businesss Dragon spacecraft on top is seen at dawn on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as the team gain access to arm is swung into position as preparations continue for the Crew-6 mission, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
The objective will bring two NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, in addition to UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will work as objective experts, to the space station for a science expedition mission.
Crew members will invest up to 6 months at the microgravity lab prior to going back to Earth. The objective marks the fourth spaceflight for Bowen, who flew space shuttle bus missions STS-126 in 2008, STS-132 in 2010, and STS-133 in 2011. Crew-6 will be the first spaceflight for Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev.
Beginning at 9 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 26, NASA will offer blog coverage of launch-day activities on the Crew-6 blog site. At 10:15 p.m. EST, tune in to a live launch broadcast on NASA television or the firms site and follow along through countdown and other crucial objective turning points.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the companys Dragon spacecraft on top is seen at sunrise on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-6 objective, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 objective is the sixth crew rotation objective of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the companys Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev are arranged to launch on 1:45 a.m. EST on February 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space. After they show up at the launch pad, Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev will ride the launch towers elevator up to the crew gain access to arm– the sidewalk they will utilize to get in Endeavour.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the businesss Dragon spacecraft on top is seen at sunrise on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-6 mission, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 objective is the sixth team rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the firms Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev are scheduled to release on 1:45 a.m. EST on February 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
In the early-morning hours on Friday, February 24, NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for the upcoming Crew-6 launch, targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, February 27.
Wedding rehearsal will start with launch teams helping Crew-6 crewmates into their SpaceX spacesuits inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building– just as they will on launch day. Next, the crew will take the elevator down to the ground floor and exit the buildings double doors, where Tesla Model Xs will be waiting to drive them the short distance to Launch Complex 39A.
Journey Healey, supervisor, Program Control & & Integration for NASAs Commercial Crew Program, left, and Steve Stich, supervisor of NASAs Commercial Crew Program right, prepare to raise the SpaceX Crew-6 flag, Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Crew-6 objective is the sixth team rotation objective of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky
After they come to the launch pad, Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev will ride the launch towers elevator as much as the crew access arm– the pathway they will use to get in Endeavour. The team will check their interactions systems before the spacecrafts hatch is closed as soon as firmly seated inside. The rehearsal will conclude with the “Go/No-Go” poll for Falcon 9 fueling, which usually occurs about 45 minutes prior to liftoff.