Technicians assist NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crewmates inside the Dragon Endurance spacecraft in preparation for launch. Photo credit: NASA
NASA’s Space X Crew-6 crew members are now boarding the Dragon spacecraft, Endeavour. As the crewmates board, their seats are configured in the upright position; later, prior to closure of the spacecraft’s side hatch, the seats will be rotated into a reclined position for flight.
All four crew members 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 back to the Gemini program. To honor tradition, the room is still painted white today.
From left, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana wave as NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crewmates depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for Launch Complex 39A on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crewmates Stephen Bowen, Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Sultan Alneyadi, and Andrey Fedyaev have arrived at Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, where SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, is ready for them to climb in for launch. Liftoff is slated for 1:45 a.m. EST.
In the next few minutes, the crew will take the elevator up the pad’s fixed service structure and walk down the air-conditioned crew access arm to the White Room – their final stop before climbing aboard.
The approximate 25-hour journey to the International Space Station sets up a 2:38 a.m. EST docking at the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website for a live broadcast.
From left, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crew members Andrey Fedyaev, Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Stephen Bowen, and Sultan Alneyadi, wave outside of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 26, 2023. Photo credit: NASA
NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, are on their way to Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A after departing the Florida spaceport’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. They are right on schedule.
Before leaving, the flight crew paused to recognize family, friends, and support team members who gathered to see them off. They then climbed into their customized black Tesla Model X vehicles for the approximate 20-minute ride to the pad.
The crew’s vehicle is traveling in a convoy, including support team members and security personnel. At the launch site, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft Endeavour are ready for the crew’s arrival.
NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen walk out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for the Crew-6 launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crew members just walked out of the double doors below Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Building’s Astronaut Crew Quarters and made their way out to the customized Tesla Model X cars that will take them to their spacecraft.
Next stop: Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A. For a live broadcast, tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 flight will carry NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev to the International Space Station. Liftoff is from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27. Photo credit: SpaceX
Coverage is underway on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website for today’s launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 science expedition mission to the International Space Station. Crew-6 marks the sixth crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human space transportation system, and its sixth flight with crew, to the space station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped by the company’s Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, awaits liftoff from Launch Complex 39A, targeted for Monday at 1:45 a.m. EST.
The Crew-6 flight will carry NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
Just before 10:25 p.m., the crew is scheduled to depart for the launch pad after walking out from astronaut crew quarters inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy. About 25 minutes later they will arrive at Launch Complex 39A.
After ascending the launch tower to the crew access arm, the astronauts will climb into the Dragon spacecraft that will take them to the International Space Station. They will conduct checks to ensure their communications system works and their spacesuits are airtight.
A little less than two hours before launch, technicians will close the hatch to the Dragon, sealing the astronauts inside for their historic journey. About 45 minutes prior to the targeted lift off, the SpaceX launch director will conduct a poll of NASA and SpaceX mission managers to see if they are ready for launch.
With a successful “GO for launch” decision, the crew access arm will be retracted, the crew will close their visors, the launch escape system will be activated in the event of a contingency, and SpaceX will begin loading propellant into the Falcon 9 rocket for launch.
U.S. Space Force 45th Space Wing meteorologists are forecasting a 95% chance of favorable weather at lift off based on Falcon 9 crewed Dragon launch weather criteria, and teams will continue to monitor lift off and downrange weather conditions until launch time.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Endeavour spacecraft for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is seen on the launch pad Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. Photo credit: NASA
NASA SpaceX’s Crew-6 science mission includes cutting edge research aimed at keeping astronauts and spacecraft safe during deep space exploration, and studies that could lead to improved medical treatments for humans back on Earth.
Experiments include studies of how particular materials burn in microgravity, tissue chip research on heart, brain, and cartilage functions, and an investigation that will collect microbial samples from the outside of the International Space Station. These are just some of the more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during the mission.
Liftoff is now about four hours away (1:45 a.m. EST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will fly NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev to the International Space Station for up to six months.
Stay with us as the countdown continues; we’ll keep you updated on the key milestones throughout this important mission. Starting at 10:15 p.m. EST, there will be a live broadcast on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with Dragon spacecraft Endeavour atop, stands tall on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will launch to the International Space Station at 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27. Photo credit: SpaceX
Good evening and welcome to live launch coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 – a science expedition mission to the International Space Station. Crew-6 marks the sixth crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human space transportation system flight with astronauts to the space station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped by the company’s Dragon spacecraft – named Endeavour – awaits liftoff in just a few hours. Launch is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, mission commander, and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, pilot, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who join as mission specialists, will fly to the space station after launching from Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A.
After an approximate 25-hour journey, the Crew-6 crew members will arrive at the space station for a short handover period with the flight crew the agency’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission. NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, commander; Josh Cassada, pilot; and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, mission specialists, will depart the microgravity laboratory for a splashdown off the coast of Florida in March, completing a long-duration stay on the space station.
Today’s launch is proceeding according to schedule. At Kennedy’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, the astronauts will undergo medical checks and get a weather briefing before suiting up.
Stay with us as the countdown continues; we’ll keep you updated on the key milestones throughout this important mission. Starting at 10:15 p.m. EST today, there will be a live broadcast on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
From left, NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a dress rehearsal for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission launch on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
The Launch Readiness Review for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station is complete and the mission has been given a ‘Go’ for launch. Liftoff is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27, from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft Endeavour, powered by the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, will carry NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev on a 25-hour trip to the space station. The crew will dock at approximately 2:38 a.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 28, remaining onboard the microgravity laboratory for up to six months to conduct science and maintenance.
Starting at 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, tune in to a live launch broadcast on NASA TV or the agency’s website and follow along through countdown and other key mission milestones.
Managers from NASA, SpaceX, and international partners are gathered at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Feb. 25, to determine the launch readiness for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 liftoff to the International Space Station. Photo credit: SpaceX
Tonight’s prelaunch news teleconference (audio only) at Kennedy Space Center for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission launch from the Florida spaceport will begin at 11:15 p.m. EST.
Managers from NASA, SpaceX, and international partners currently are gathered at Kennedy to determine the launch readiness for the Crew-6 liftoff to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27, from Kennedy.
A colorful sunset serves as the backdrop for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft Endeavour on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is targeted to launch to the International Space Station at 1:45 a.m. EST on Feb. 27, 2023, from Kennedy. Photo credit: SpaceX
Managers from NASA, SpaceX, and international partners will gather at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8 p.m. EST, today, Feb. 25, to determine the launch readiness for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 liftoff to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27, from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
Following the Launch Readiness Review, the prelaunch news teleconference (audio only) at Kennedy starts at 10:30 p.m. EST today with the following participants:
Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy
Dana Weigel, deputy program manager, International Space Station, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
Zeb Scoville, deputy chief flight director, Johnson
Kirt Costello, chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program
Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Program, SpaceX
Adnan AlRais, mission manager UAE Astronaut Mission 2, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, UAE
Brian Cizek, launch weather officer, U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron
Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron continue to predict a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, with the cumulus cloud rule serving as the primary weather concern.
Starting at 10:15 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 26, there will be a live broadcast of the mission – including liftoff and postlaunch milestones – on NASA Television and the agency’s website. Check the Crew-6 blog for key events leading up to launch, and then follow the blog on launch day starting at 9 p.m. EST.
