Falcon 9 Static Fire Test Completed Ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Launch

A Falcon 9 rocket static fire test for NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft Endeavour onboard, is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

This morning, Feb. 24, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will launch the company’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft and Crew-6 crew members to the International Space Station reached a key milestone ahead of liftoff. 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.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission will carry NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev to the space station for a six-month science mission. Liftoff is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27.

Beginning at 9 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 26, NASA will offer blog coverage of launch-day activities on the Crew-6 blog. At 10:15 p.m. EST, 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.

This is the sixth crew rotation mission with astronauts using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the orbiting laboratory as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. More details about the Crew-6 mission can be found in the press kit online and by following the Crew-6 blog, @commercial_crew on Twitter, and commercial crew on Facebook.

Flight Crew, Launch Teams Set for Crew-6 Countdown Dress Rehearsal

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Endeavour spacecraft for the Crew-6 mission
Liftoff of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida is targeted for Monday, Feb. 27, at 1:45 a.m. EST. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

In the early-morning hours on Friday, Feb. 24, NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will participate in a countdown dress rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for the upcoming Crew-6 launch, targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27.

Rehearsal will begin with launch teams assisting Crew-6 crewmates 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.

After they arrive at the launch pad, Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev will ride the launch tower’s elevator up to the crew access arm – the walkway they will use to enter Endeavour. 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 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft Endeavour that will carry the crew to the International Space Station arrived at the launch pad and was raised into a vertical position for launch on Thursday, Feb. 23. The Endeavour spacecraft previously flew NASA’s Crew-1, Inspiration4, and Axiom Mission-1 astronauts.

Beginning at 9 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 26, NASA will offer blog coverage of launch-day activities on the Crew-6 blog. At 10:15 p.m. EST, 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.

Bright Outlook for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Launch Weather

Raising the flag for NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission at Kennedy Space Center
Trip Healey, manager, Program Control & Integration for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, left, and Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, prepare to raise NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 flag Wednesday, Feb. 22, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

In an official report released Thursday, Feb. 23, weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the cumulus cloud rule serving as the primary weather concern.

Liftoff is targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST, Monday, Feb. 27, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. The mission will carry two NASA astronauts – Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg – along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who join as mission specialists, to the International Space Station.

The crew is scheduled for a long-duration stay of up to six months aboard the space station conducting science and maintenance before returning to Earth.

Starting at 10:15 p.m. EST on Feb. 26, there will be a live broadcast of the mission – including liftoff and postlaunch milestones – on NASA Television and the agency’s website. Follow along here on the Crew-6 blog for key events leading up to launch, and then follow on launch day starting at 9 p.m. EST.

Rocket Raised to Vertical Position for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Launch

Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Endeavour spacecraft raised to the vertical position at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 30A
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft on top, is seen at sunrise on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on Thursday, Feb. 23, as preparations continue for launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft Endeavour atop, was raised to the vertical position Thursday, Feb. 23, at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida in preparation for the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station.

Earlier today, the mated spacecraft and rocket arrived at the launch complex after rolling out from the SpaceX integration hangar adjacent to the pad. An integrated static fire test and dry dress rehearsal with the crew will occur prior to liftoff, targeted for 1:45 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 27.

The mission will carry two 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, who will serve as mission specialists, to the space station for a science expedition mission.

Crew members will spend up to six months at the microgravity laboratory before returning to Earth. The mission marks the fourth spaceflight for Bowen, who flew space shuttle missions STS-126 in 2008, STS-132 in 2010, and STS-133 in 2011. Crew-6 will be the first spaceflight for Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev.

Beginning at 9 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 26, NASA will offer blog coverage of launch-day activities on the Crew-6 blog. At 10:15 p.m. EST, 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.

More details about the Crew-6 mission can be found in the press kit online and by following the Commercial Crew blog, @commercial_crew on Twitter, and commercial crew on Facebook.

Spacecraft, Rocket for Crew-6 Mission Roll out to Launch Pad at Kennedy

Dragon Endeavour spacecraft for NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission
The Dragon Endeavour spacecraft for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is shown at SpaceX’s hangar at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on Feb. 19, 2023. The spacecraft, mated to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, was rolled out to the pad Thursday, Feb. 23. Photo credit: SpaceX

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft Endeavour atop, arrived at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A this morning, Feb. 23, after rolling out from the SpaceX integration hangar adjacent to the launch pad.

The spacecraft and rocket will be raised to the vertical position for an integrated static fire test and dry dress rehearsal with the crew prior to launch.

Liftoff of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is targeted for Monday, Feb. 27, at 1:45 a.m. EST. 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 to perform science, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities aboard the space station.

More details about the Crew-6 mission can be found in the press kit online and by following the Crew-6 blog, @commercial_crew on Twitter, and commercial crew on Facebook.

Starting at 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, tune in to a Crew-6 live launch broadcast on NASA TV or the agency’s website and follow along through countdown and other key mission milestones.

NASA, SpaceX Announce Update to Crew-6 Mission

NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 crew members arrive at Kennedy Space Center
SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts pause for a photograph after arriving at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch and Landing Facility in Florida on Feb. 21, 2023. From left are Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

During a media teleconference Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA provided an update to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, is slated for Monday, Feb. 27, at 1:45 a.m. EST. Live launch-day coverage on NASA TV and the agency’s website begins at 10 p.m. EST. Sunday, Feb. 26.

Managers from NASA and SpaceX, along with international partners, met throughout the day Tuesday as part of the mission’s Flight Readiness Review (FRR) in preparation for the sixth crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the microgravity laboratory. The FRR focused on the preparedness of SpaceX’s crew transportation system, the space station, and its international partners to support the flight, as well as the certification of flight readiness.

The Crew-6 launch will carry two 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, who will serve as mission specialists, to the space station for a science expedition mission. They will fly aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour, carried by the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Crew-6 will spend up to six months at the space station before returning to Earth. The mission marks the fourth spaceflight for Bowen, who flew space shuttle missions STS-126 in 2008, STS-132 in 2010, and STS-133 in 2011. Crew-6 will be the first spaceflight for Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev.

Crew-6 Flight Crew Touches Down in Florida

NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 crew members in their pressure suits
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crewmates are pictured in front of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during a crew equipment integration test at SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, last month. From left, in their pressure suits, are: Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi. Photo Credit: SpaceX

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 flight crew has reported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to start final preparations for their mission to the International Space Station.

NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev arrived at Kennedy’s Launch and Landing Facility at approximately 12:20 p.m. today, Feb. 21, after departing Ellington Field near the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Coming up shortly is a brief media event with the crew, which will be broadcast live on NASA TV and the agency’s website. In attendance will be:

  • Kelvin Manning, deputy director, Kennedy
  • Dana Hutcherson, deputy manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
  • Salem AlMarri, director general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen
  • NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg
  • UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi
  • Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev

The international crew will fly aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, which previously flew NASA’s Crew-1, Inspiration4, and Axiom Mission-1 astronauts. Liftoff is targeted for 2:07 a.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 26 – from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Flight Crew Departs Houston, Bound for Florida

NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission crew members are seated inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during a training session last year at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left are Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev, Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Commander Stephen Bowen, and Mission Specialist Sultan Al Neyadi. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crew members departed Ellington Field near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston this afternoon, Feb. 21, and are en route to the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, commander; Warren “Woody” Hoburg, pilot; and mission specialists astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev will land at Kennedy’s Launch and Landing Facility at approximately 12:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they will be greeted by NASA leaders before conducting a brief interview with media.

Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website to view the media event.

Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev are slated to lift off from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A at 2:07 a.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 26. They will fly aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour – carried by a Falcon 9 rocket – for a science expedition mission to the International Space Station.

Crew-6 Flight Readiness Review Underway, Media Teleconference to Follow

The four crew members that comprise the SpaceX Crew-6 mission pose for a photo in their spacesuits during a training session at the company's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left are, Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev, Pilot Warren "Woody" Hoburg, Commander Stephen Bowen, and Mission Specialist Sultan Alneyadi.
The four crew members who comprise the SpaceX Crew-6 mission are, from left, Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev, Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Commander Stephen Bowen, and Mission Specialist Sultan Alneyadi. Photo credit: SpaceX

Managers from NASA and SpaceX, along with international partners, are gathered at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida today, Feb. 21, for the Crew-6 mission’s Flight Readiness Review (FRR) in preparation for the sixth crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

During the next several hours, the FRR will focus on the preparedness of SpaceX’s crew transportation system, the space station, and its international partners to support the flight, as well as the certification of flight readiness.

At the conclusion of the FRR, NASA will hold a media teleconference to discuss the outcome. The teleconference is slated to begin at approximately 6 p.m. today and includes the following participants:

  • Ken Bowersox, deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington
  • Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy
  • Dana Weigel, deputy manager, International Space Station Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
  • Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson
  • William Gerstenmaier, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
  • Adnan AlRais, mission manager UAE Astronaut Mission 2, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre

Listen to audio of the teleconference streaming at: https://www.nasa.gov/live.

NASA and SpaceX continue to target no earlier than 2:07 a.m. EST, Sunday, Feb. 26, for launch of Crew-6 from Kennedy. The mission will carry NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, who will serve as mission commander and pilot, respectively, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will serve as mission specialists, to the microgravity laboratory.

NASA Sets Coverage for Agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 Events, Launch

NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 launch from Kennedy Space Center
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon Endurance spacecraft atop, lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A in Florida on Oct. 5, 2022, on the agency’s SpaceX Crew-5 launch. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station.

Launch is targeted for 2:07 a.m. EST, Sunday, Feb. 26, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at 2:54 a.m., Monday, Feb. 27.

Crew arrival at Kennedy, launch, the postlaunch news conference, and docking coverage will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. NASA also will host audio-only news teleconferences following the agency’s flight and launch readiness reviews. Follow all live events at: https://www.nasa.gov/live

The Crew-6 launch will carry two 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, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a science expedition mission.

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