NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 team members are photographed in the Dragon Endurance spacecraft throughout a dry gown practice session at the firms Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 22, 2023. From left are Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. Credit: SpaceX
NASA and SpaceX have greenlit the Crew-7 objective for launch on August 25, after examining the rocket and spacecraft preparedness. Team preparations are on track, prospective space debris is being kept track of, and theres a 90% beneficial weather report for the launch.
NASA, SpaceX, and worldwide partners have completed the launch readiness review for the agencys Crew-7 objective to the International Space Station (ISS). Crew-7 supervisors gathered at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday to evaluate the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft preparedness and chose launch is “Go” for liftoff to the spaceport station. Release now is targeted for 3:50 a.m. EDT Friday, August 25, from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A. If needed, a backup launch chance is offered at 3:27 a.m. Saturday, August 26.
NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 crew members get to Launch Complex 39A throughout a dry gown rehearsal at the companys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 22, 2023. Credit: SpaceX
Rocket & & Spacecraft Review
On Wednesday, rocket and ground systems engineering groups finished the in-depth information reviews following the integrated static fire of the Falcon 9 rocket performed the day before at Launch Complex 39A. Falcon 9 performance was typical, leading to a successful full period static fire of all nine Merlin first-stage engines.
NASA, SpaceX, and global partners have finished the launch preparedness review for the firms Crew-7 objective to the International Space Station (ISS). Crew-7 managers collected at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday to examine the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft preparedness and chose launch is “Go” for liftoff to the area station. Launch now is targeted for 3:50 a.m. EDT Friday, August 25, from Kennedys Launch Complex 39A. If required, a backup launch opportunity is offered at 3:27 a.m. Saturday, August 26.
After they showed up at the launch pad, Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov rode the launch towers elevator up to the crew gain access to arm– the pathway they will use to enter their Dragon spacecraft, called Endurance.
Operations teams are not tracking any major problems with Falcon 9 or the Dragon spacecraft. NASA and SpaceX spent Wednesday pursuing final launch preparedness, with remaining work expected to be finished ahead of launch.
Particles Monitoring & & Crew Preparation
The International Space Station Program is carefully monitoring the potential requirement for a debris avoidance maneuver early afternoon on Thursday, August 24, for the orbital station. Area station objective control trajectory groups are tracking the debris and identifying whether a short-duration burn of the stations thrusters would be needed.
If required, the maneuver is not anticipated to affect the planned arrival of the Roscosmos ISS Progress freight spacecraft, which is likewise on Thursday. More info will be supplied as orbital trajectory teams examine the information and identify whether the particles would fly in the area of the space station requiring a modification in the stations altitude.
Practice session Activities
On Tuesday, Crew-7 NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, pilot; and mission professionals JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov got involved in a wedding rehearsal of launch day activities in preparation for the upcoming Crew-7 launch.
Rehearsal began with launch teams helping Crew-7 crewmates into their SpaceX spacesuits inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedys Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building– simply as they will on launch day. Next, the crew took the elevator to the ground flooring and exited the buildings double doors, where Tesla Model X automobiles were waiting to drive them the short distance to the launch site.
After they came to the launch pad, Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov rode the launch towers elevator up to the crew access arm– the walkway they will use to enter their Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance. The team members examined their communications systems and performed seat rotation and match leak checks as soon as securely seated within. The wedding rehearsal concluded with closure of the spacecrafts side hatch, which generally happens about one hour and 25 minutes before liftoff.
Weather report & & Broadcast Info
Forecasters with Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations 45th Weather Squadron anticipate a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, with the cumulus cloud rule working as the primary weather condition concern.
Starting at 11:45 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 24, the live broadcast of the mission– including liftoff and postlaunch turning points– will air on NASA Television and the agencys website.