Coverage Update for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Broadcast

NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a dry dress rehearsal on Oct. 28, 2021, in preparation for launch.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 28, 2021, to prepare for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. From left are Matthias Maurer, with the European Space Agency, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, Crew-3 commander, and Kayla Barron. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts will remain at crew quarters at Kennedy until their launch. They will spend time with their families and receive technical and weather briefings in the next few days.

The Crew Dragon Endurance is scheduled to dock to the space station at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Launch and docking coverage will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

The Crew-3 flight will carry NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander; Tom Marshburn, pilot; and Kayla Barron, mission specialist; as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, who will serve as a mission specialist, to the space station for a six-month science mission, staying aboard until late April 2022.

The Crew-2 mission with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will now target their undocking from the space station for no earlier than Sunday, Nov. 7, to return to Earth.

The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Kennedy Press Site facilities remains closed for the protection of Kennedy employees and journalists except for limited number of media who have already been notified. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, Nov. 2

  • 8:45 p.m. – NASA Television launch coverage begins. NASA will have continuous coverage, including launch, docking, hatch open, and welcome ceremony.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

 1:10 a.m. – Launch

NASA TV coverage continues through docking, arrival, and the welcome ceremony. In lieu of a postlaunch news conference, NASA leadership will provide comments during the broadcast.

 11 p.m. – Docking

Thursday, Nov. 4

  • 12:35 a.m. – Hatch Opening
  • 1:10 a.m. – Welcoming Ceremony

NASA, SpaceX Adjust Next Space Station Crew Rotation Launch Date

NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a dress rehearsal ahead of the Crew-3 launch.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 28, 2021, to prepare for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. The astronauts are at Launch Pad 39A with the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon behind them during the rehearsal. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 1:10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Nov. 3, for the agency’s Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station due to a large storm system meandering across the Ohio Valley and through northeastern United States this weekend, elevating winds and waves in the Atlantic Ocean along the Crew Dragon flight path for the Oct. 31 launch attempt.

Weather conditions along the ascent corridor are expected to improve for a Nov. 3 launch attempt, and the 45th Weather Squadron forecast predicts an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions at the launch site.

NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander, Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission specialist and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, also a mission specialist, will launch on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-3 astronauts are scheduled for a long-duration science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, living and working as part of what is expected to be a seven-member crew.

Launch Nov. 3 would have Crew-3 arriving at the space station later the same day about 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, for a short handover with the astronauts that flew to the station as part of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission.

Crew-2 NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet are currently targeting return in early November. Crew-3 astronauts are set to return in late April 2022.

Launch Readiness Review Concludes, Prelaunch News Conference Set for 11:15 p.m.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen at sunset on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-3 mission, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Mission managers with NASA, SpaceX, and ESA (European Space Agency) have completed the Launch Readiness Review for the agency’s Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff remains scheduled for 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31.

A prelaunch news teleconference will begin at 11:15 p.m., Oct. 29. Listen live on the agency’s website. Participants include:

  • Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA
  • Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA
  • Jennifer Buchli, acting chief scientist, International Space Station Program, NASA
  • Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
  • Holly Ridings, chief flight director, Flight Operations Directorate, NASA
  • Frank de Winne, program manager, International Space Station, ESA
  • William Ulrich, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, United States Space Force

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft will lift off from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, carrying NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, as well as ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer to the International Space Station for a six-month science mission. Crew-3 is the third crew rotation mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Weather officials with the 45th Weather Squadron are predicting an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, with the primary concerns revolving around the cumulus cloud rule and flight through precipitation. Teams also are monitoring the down range weather for the flight path of the Crew Dragon.

Learn more about commercial crew and space station activities by following @Commercial_Crew@space_station, and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the Commercial Crew FacebookISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Crew-3 Launch Readiness Review Coming Up, Prelaunch News Teleconference to Follow

NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a dress rehearsal at Kennedy ahead of the Crew-3 launch.
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, left, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, second from left, Raja Chari, second from right, and Kayla Barron, right, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A during a dress rehearsal prior to the Crew-3 mission launch, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Tonight, Oct. 29, teams will complete the final major review – the Launch Readiness Review (LRR) – for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. At the conclusion of the review, NASA and SpaceX will confirm the target launch time of 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31.

At approximately 10 p.m. (or no earlier than one hour after completion of the LRR), NASA, SpaceX, and European Space Agency (ESA) officials will hold a prelaunch news teleconference at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Listen live on the agency’s website.

The official insignia for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 launch.Participants will include:

  • Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA
  • Joel Montalbano, International Space Station Program, NASA
  • Jennifer Buchli, acting chief scientist, International Space Station Program, NASA
  • Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
  • Holly Ridings, chief flight director, Flight Operations Directorate, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
  • Josef Aschbacher, director general, ESA
  • William Ulrich, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, United States Space Force

NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, along with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, are scheduled to launch to the space station from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft for a six-month science mission. Live launch coverage will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

The crew of four is expected to arrive at the orbiting laboratory approximately 22 hours after launch, at 12:10 a.m. EDT on Monday, Nov. 1, for a short handover with the astronauts who flew on the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission in April. Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Akihiko Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet are expected to return to Earth in early November.

For more information on Crew-3, check out the mission overview.

NASA Administrator Remarks on Upcoming Crew-3 Launch

Senior NASA leaders hold a briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of the agency's SpaceX Crew-3 launch.
Representatives from NASA participate in a briefing at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 29, 2021, in advance of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. From left are Megan Cruz, NASA communications; Janet Petro, director, Kennedy; Bill Nelson, NASA administrator; Bob Cabana, NASA associate administrator; Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate; and NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

Earlier today, Oct. 29, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson addressed members of the media during a briefing held at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission. Nelson provided words of excitement for launch, now less than two days away.

A close-up view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket vertical with the Crew Dragon for the Crew-3 mission at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2021.
A close-up view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket vertical with the Crew Dragon for the Crew-3 mission at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2021. Photo credit: SpaceX

“You come right down to the moment, as the countdown clock continues, and suddenly when those motors light off and that energy is concentrated and you’re going upward, it focuses everybody’s attention,” he said. “In this case, our four human beings riding at the top of that rocket, we’ve done everything possible, along with our commercial partners, to make sure that this is going to be a success, weather permitting, and I look forward to a great mission.”

Crew-3 is the third crew rotation flight of a U.S. commercial spacecraft under the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission will send NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer to the International Space Station for a long-duration science mission, living and working as part of what is expected to be a seven-member crew.

This is the first spaceflight for Chari, Barron, and Maurer. It is the third for Marshburn, who previously served as a crew member of the space shuttle STS-127 mission in 2009 and Expedition 34/35 aboard the space station, which concluded in 2013. Also participating in the briefing was NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg, who graduated in the 2017 astronaut class alongside Chari and Barron.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a dry dress rehearsal on Oct. 28, 2021, in preparation for launch.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 28, 2021, to prepare for the upcoming Crew-3 launch. From left are Matthias Maurer, with the European Space Agency, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, Crew-3 commander, and Kayla Barron. Photo credit: SpaceX

“This launch is special for me. Those who have seen a launch in person know that it is a powerfully emotional experience, and it’s even more so when people you know and love are on board,” Hoburg said. “Raja, Tom, Kayla, and Matthias, you are amazing human beings. We wish you safe travels to the International Space Station; our hearts are with you. Go Crew-3 and go Endurance.”

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, which the crew has named Endurance, are scheduled to lift off at 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31. About 22 hours after launch, the crew is expected to arrive at the orbiting laboratory. Docking is planned for approximately 12:10 a.m. EDT on Monday, Nov. 1.

Weather officials with the 45th Weather Squadron are predicting an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch – this derived from Falcon 9 Crew Dragon launch weather criteria. The primary weather concerns are the cumulus cloud rule and flight through precipitation.

Live coverage of launch preparations and liftoff will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, on NASA TV and the agency’s website. Or, follow along right here on the mission blog.

Tune in to NASA Administrator Briefing Today, Oct. 29

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon atop, at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is vertical with the Crew Dragon atop for the Crew-3 mission at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in this sunset view on Oct. 27, 2021. Photo credit: SpaceX

Today, Oct. 29, at noon, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will hold a media briefing at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station. The briefing will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website, and will include the following participants:

  • Bill Nelson, NASA administrator
  • Bob Cabana, NASA associate administrator
  • Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA
  • Janet Petro, director, Kennedy Space Center
  • Woody Hoburg, NASA astronaut

Following this, at 1:30 p.m., tune in to a NASA Social Live event on Kennedy’s YouTube and Facebook accounts. Cabana, Petro, and Hoburg will discuss the upcoming mission, as well as answer questions from NASA Social participants.

Crew-3 will launch NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer to the space station for a six-month science mission. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are scheduled to lift off from Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A at 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31.

Crew-3 Astronauts, Launch Teams to Conduct Dry Dress Rehearsal Ahead of Launch

A close-up view of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft atop the Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on Oct. 28, 2021.
Seen here is an up-close view of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket on Oct. 28, 2021, with a sunrise serving as the backdrop at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida. Photo credit: SpaceX

Tonight, Oct. 28, NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, will participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for the upcoming Crew-3 launch.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is vertical with the Crew Dragon atop for the Crew-3 mission at Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is vertical with the Crew Dragon atop for the Crew-3 mission at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 27, 2021. Photo credit: SpaceX

Rehearsal will begin with launch teams assisting the Crew-3 astronauts 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 building’s double doors, where Tesla Model Xs will be waiting to drive them the short distance to Launch Complex 39A.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft that will carry them to the International Space Station arrived at the launch pad and was raised into a vertical position for launch on Wednesday, Oct. 27. After they arrive to the launch pad, Spacecraft Commander Chari, Pilot Marshburn, and Mission Specialists Barron and Maurer will ride the launch tower’s elevator up to the crew access arm – the walkway they will use to enter the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Once securely seated inside, the crew will check their communications systems before the spacecraft’s hatch is closed. The rehearsal will conclude with the Go/No-Go poll for Falcon 9 fueling, which normally occurs about 45 minutes before liftoff.

The third crew rotation flight for the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, Crew-3 is targeted to launch at 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31.

SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Static Fire Test in Preparation for Crew-3 Launch

SpaceX conducts a static fire test of its Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A on Oct. 28, 2021.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

In the early morning hours on Oct. 28, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will launch the Dragon Endurance capsule and Crew-3 astronauts to the International Space Station surpassed a key milestone ahead of launch. While standing on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida, the rocket’s nine Merlin first-stage engines roared to life for seven seconds, completing the routine but critical integrated static fire test.

The Crew-3 mission will carry Spacecraft Commander Raja Chari, Pilot Tom Marshburn, and Mission Specialist Kayla Barron, all NASA astronauts, along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Mission Specialist Matthias Maurer to the space station for a six-month science mission. Liftoff is targeted for 2:21 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 31.

This is the third crew rotation flight for the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, and the first flight of a new Crew Dragon spacecraft. More details about the mission and the Commercial Crew Program can be found in the online press kit, or by following the commercial crew blog, @commercial_crew, and commercial crew on Facebook.

Crew Dragon Arrives at Launch Pad Ahead of Crew-3 Launch

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands at Launch Complex 39A in Florida ahead of the Crew-3 launch.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, as preparations continue for the Crew-3 mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft atop, rolled out to the launch pad last night, Oct. 26, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 launch. The rocket is now in a vertical position at Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39A, awaiting liftoff on Sunday, Oct. 31.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with Crew Dragon rolls out to Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Crew-3 launch.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with Crew Dragon rolls out to Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the early morning hours of Oct. 27, 2021 for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission. Photo credit: SpaceX

The mission will carry NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. Launch is scheduled for 2:21 a.m. EDT, and the crew is expected to arrive at the orbiting laboratory about 22 hours later, at 12:10 a.m. EDT on Monday, Nov.1.

Upon their arrival, the Crew-3 astronauts will have a short overlap with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who flew to the station as part of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission in April 2021. Crew-2 astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth in early November.

The mission will fly a new Crew Dragon spacecraft, which crew members have named Endurance, and will be the first to fly a previously used nosecone. In support of Crew-3, SpaceX implemented several improvements to the Crew Dragon system based on knowledge gained from previous flights, including making a software change to build in more communications robustness against radiation effects while docked, adding more cleaning techniques to cut down on foreign object debris, improving computer performance during re-entry, and enhancing the spacecraft’s docking procedures and mechanisms to mitigate hardware interference on the space station side of the interface.

Tomorrow, Oct. 28, the Crew-3 astronauts and launch teams will conduct a full dress rehearsal in preparation for launch. Find out what that entails in the video below.