The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fueling has begun. Rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) loading and first stage liquid oxygen loading is underway. A few minutes from now, fueling will begin for the second stage. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. Liftoff …
The crew access arm has retracted, and momentarily the Dragon spacecraft’s launch escape system will be armed. This will allow the Crew-8 crew members to escape safely in the unlikely event of an anomaly from the moment the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off until the time they reach orbit – a timespan of roughly …
The confirmation that Dragon is “go” for launch just came through. In just a few minutes, the Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage will be loaded with rocket grade kerosene, called RP-1, and liquid oxygen. Then, the second stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen.
The SpaceX closeout team has left the crew access arm, which will soon retract away from the Dragon spacecraft. Launch, set for 10:53 p.m. EST, is now a little less than an hour away. Launch weather officers with the U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron now predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at …
During their time on the International Space Station, the members of Crew-8 will conduct new scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. Experiments include using stem cells to create organoid models to study degenerative diseases, studying the effects of microgravity and UV radiation on plants at …
With communication checks complete, the hatch now is closed on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, which previously flew NASA’s SpaceX Demo Mission-2, Crew-2 and Crew-6, in addition to Axiom Mission 1. Liftoff for Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Alexander Grebenkin is two hours away at 10:53 p.m. EST. Weather trends continue to …
The crew has finished executing communication checks with the launch team, and their seats have been rotated into position for launch. For additional live launch coverage of the Crew-8 mission, watch now on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, or the agency’s website, and follow along on the mission blog, the commercial crew blog, …
The Crew-8 crew members now are boarding SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. Before entering their spacecraft, all four crewmates signed the inside of the White Room, an area at the end of the crew access arm that provides access to the spacecraft. The term “White Room” dates to the Gemini program. To honor tradition, the room …
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 crew NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, have arrived at Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, where SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, stands ready for launch. Liftoff is slated for 10:53 p.m. EST. In the next few minutes, …
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, departed Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and are now on their way across the spaceport to Launch Pad 39A. After waving to family, friends, and …
