May 21, 2024

Four Countries, One Rocket: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 Launches to International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars up after liftoff at the pad at 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 26, from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A in Florida carrying NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 crew members to the International Space Station. Aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 team members are photographed in the Dragon Endurance spacecraft throughout a dry gown practice session at the companys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 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. Experiments consist of the collection of microbial samples from the exterior of the space station, the first study of human action to different spaceflight durations, and an investigation of the physiological elements of astronauts sleep.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars up after liftoff at the pad at 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 26, from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A in Florida bring NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 team members to the International Space Station. Aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov.
A multi-national team introduced to the International Space Station on NASAs seventh business crew rotation, SpaceX Crew-7, stressing worldwide cooperation in space research study and exploration.
A global team of four representing 4 countries is in orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station (ISS) at 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 26, from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agencys SpaceX Crew-7 objective is the seventh commercial crew rotation objective for NASA.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket introduced the Dragon spacecraft into orbit bring NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, for a science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.

On August 26, 2023, at 09:27 CEST (08:27 BST), Crew-7 aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft Endurance started a journey to the International Space Station. View the full coverage of their launch from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. Credit: NASA/ SpaceX
NASAs Vision and Partnerships
” Crew-7 is a shining example of the power of both American resourcefulness and what we can accomplish when we collaborate,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Aboard station, the team will carry out more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to get ready for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, all while benefitting mankind in the world. By partnering with countries around the globe, NASA is engaging the very best scientific minds to enable our bold missions, and its clear that we can do more– and we can find out more– when we interact.”
NASAs SpaceX Crew-7 team members are photographed in the Dragon Endurance spacecraft during a dry dress practice session at the companys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 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
Spacecraft Monitoring and Docking
During Dragons flight, SpaceX will keep track of a series of automated spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA groups will keep track of spaceport station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Named Endurance, the Dragon spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the stations Harmony module at 8:39 a.m. Sunday, August 27. NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agencys website will offer live coverage of docking and hatch opening. NASA also will cover the welcome remarks by crew aboard the orbital station at 11:30 a.m.
Crew Interactions and Research
Crew-7 will sign up with the area stations Expedition 69 team of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, and Frank Rubio, as well as UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Andrey Fedyaev. For a brief time, the variety of crew aboard the spaceport station will increase to 11 up until Crew-6 members Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev return to Earth a few days later on.
Crew-7 will conduct new clinical research study to benefit humanity on Earth and prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Experiments consist of the collection of microbial samples from the outside of the spaceport station, the first study of human action to various spaceflight periods, and an examination of the physiological elements of astronauts sleep. These are simply some of the science experiments and technology presentations that will happen during their objective.
Space Stations Significance
” The International Space Station is an incredible science and innovation platform that requires individuals from all around the world to maintain and optimize its advantages to individuals in the world,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Its excellent seeing Crew-7 launch with four crew members representing 4 nations who will work and live on mankinds home in space as we continue the nearly 23 years of a continuous human presence aboard the microgravity lab.”
The Crew-7 objective allows NASA to maximize use of the spaceport station, where astronauts test innovations, carry out science, and develop the abilities required to run future industrial locations in low Earth orbit and check out farther from Earth. Research conducted aboard the spaceport station supplies benefits for individuals on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon through NASAs Artemis missions.