Crew-3 Astronauts Suit Up for Launch

SpaceX suit technicians help the Crew-3 astronauts put on their spacesuits and check the suit for leaks on Nov. 10, 2021, ahead of the Crew-3 launch.
NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission astronauts are in the suit-up room in the Astronaut Crew Quarters inside Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Nov. 10, 2021. A team of SpaceX suit technicians are helping them as they put on their custom-fitted spacesuits and check the suits for leaks. At right is NASA astronaut and Mission Specialist Kayla Barron. Photo credit: NASA

NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, are inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, suiting up for tonight’s launch to the International Space Station.

A team of SpaceX suit technicians are helping them put on their custom-fitted spacesuits, while checking the suits for leaks. Designed for safety and functionality, the spacesuits also provide modern comfort and style. They supply pressurization, protecting the crew from potential depressurization, and a port located on the thigh connects to life support systems, including air and power. Also included in the suits are touchscreen-compatible gloves and a flame-resistant outer layer.

Key Milestones to Keep in Mind for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Mission

The official crew portrait for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission.
The official crew portrait of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission with (from left) Commander Raja Chari and Pilot Thomas Mashburn, both NASA astronauts; Mission Specialist Matthias Maurer of ESA (European Space Agency); and Mission Specialist Kayla Barron of NASA. Photo credit: NASA

Below are some of the key milestones leading up to the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission, as well as some critical events that occur after liftoff. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are scheduled to lift off just a little more than four hours from now at 9:03 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Complex 39A in Florida.

  • 5:01 p.m. Crew-3 weather briefing
  • 5:06 p.m. Launch Director countdown briefing and readiness poll; crew suit donning
  • 5:40 p.m. Crew walkout from Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building
  • 6:04 p.m. Crew arrival at Launch Complex 39A
  • 6:28 p.m. Crew ingress into Endurance
  • 7:08 p.m. Endurance hatch closure
  • 8:08 p.m. Mission Director Go/No-Go poll for propellant loading
  • 8:13 p.m. Final Go/No-Go for propellant loading
  • 8:21 p.m. Crew access arm retracts
  • 8:25 p.m. Dragon launch escape system is armed
  • 8:28 p.m. Falcon 9 propellant loading begins
  • 8:59 p.m. Strongback retraction
  • 9:01 p.m. Falcon 9 propellant load complete and vehicle transitions to internal power
  • 9:03 p.m. Liftoff!
  • 9:12 p.m. Falcon 9 second stage engine cutoff (SECO)
  • 9:15 p.m. Crew Dragon separation from Falcon 9
  • 9:16 p.m. Crew Dragon nosecone deploy

Live Coverage Begins for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Mission

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft stand at Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A on Nov. 1, 2021.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-3 mission, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Hello, and welcome to live launch coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station! Here at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance by the crew, stand ready for launch. Liftoff is targeted for 9:03 p.m. EST from Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A.

The third crew rotation flight for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Crew-3 will send NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, along with ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, to the orbiting laboratory for a six-month science mission.

The countdown is proceeding according to schedule, and about 15 minutes from now, the crew will receive a weather briefing, followed by a countdown briefing from the launch director inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. After that, the Crew-3 astronauts will don their SpaceX spacesuits before exiting the building and heading out to the launch pad – this coming up in just about an hour.

Stay with us here on the blog as the countdown continues; we’ll keep you updated as we reach key milestones leading up to and through launch. Or, watch live now on NASA Television or the agency’s website.

Crew-3 Launch Weather 70% Favorable for Liftoff

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

Tonight, Nov. 10, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, carrying 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 the third crew rotation mission under the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

Liftoff is targeted for 9:03 p.m. EST – an instantaneous launch window – and launch weather officers with the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are predicting a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The primary weather concerns are cumulus clouds and flight through precipitation. Teams also continue to monitor the weather conditions along in Crew Dragon’s flight path, which is expected to be favorable for launch. Live countdown coverage will begin at 4:45 p.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website, as well as right here on the blog.

Following liftoff, the Crew-3 astronauts will have a 22-hour journey to the space station, where they will be greeted by NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov – the Expedition 66 crew already on board. Crew-3 astronauts will remain at the station for a six-month science mission, living and working as part of a seven-member crew.

NASA, SpaceX Reviewing Commercial Crew Rotation Plans

Expedition 66 crew members are photographed with chile peppers aboard the International Space Station.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough (second from left), Thomas Pesquet (middle), Akihiko Hoshide (second from right), and Megan McArthur (far right) are photographed aboard the International Space Station, just before they prepare to sample freshly harvested mild heat chile peppers on Oct. 29, 2021. Mission teams are considering whether to return the Crew-2 mission ahead of launching the next crew rotation, with the earliest possible opportunity for undocking at 1:05 p.m. EST on Nov. 7. At far left is NASA astronaut and Expedition 66 flight engineer Mark Vande Hei, who will remain at the station to welcome NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts when they arrive. Photo credit: NASA

NASA and SpaceX continue to review launch and return opportunities for the upcoming crew rotation flights to and from the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.   

 

Mission teams now are considering whether to return the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission from the space station ahead of launching the next crew rotation due to the associated weather considerations for both launch and recovery operations. 

 

The earliest possible opportunity for Crew-2 undocking from the space station is at 1:05 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 7, to begin the return trip to Earth for splashdown off the coast of Florida. A back-up undocking opportunity also is available Monday, Nov. 8. 

 

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. In view is the crew access arm. Photo credit: SpaceX

The earliest possible opportunity for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 launch is 9:51 p.m. EST Monday, Nov. 8, if mission teams do not pursue Crew-2 return on Sunday, Nov. 7 or Monday. Nov. 8.

 

Mission teams will make a final decision on whether to prioritize Crew-3’s launch or Crew-2’s return in the coming days based on the likelihood of favorable conditions for a Crew Dragon splashdown or Crew Dragon launch. NASA and SpaceX also are reviewing the time needed between launch or return operations.  

 

NASA and SpaceX are forgoing launch opportunities Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7, due to unfavorable weather conditions. Weather officials with the 45th Weather Squadron forecast only a 40% chance of favorable launch weather on Saturday, Nov. 6, with the primary concerns revolving around liftoff winds, cumulus clouds, and surface electric field constraints. The down range weather also is not acceptable on Sunday, Nov. 7 due to risks associated with launch abort sites up the eastern seaboard.  

 

Mission teams still are monitoring weather conditions for a launch attempt on Monday, Nov. 8. The primary operational concern is strong winds at the pad and unfavorable conditions down range. 

 

“These are dynamic and complex decisions that change day by day,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager. “The weather in November can be especially challenging, so our goal is to move forward on the plan with the highest probability of mission assurance and crew safety.” 

 

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. I
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. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

The agency continues to monitor a minor medical issue involving one of the Crew-3 astronauts, which is expected to be clear prior to launch. 

 

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 Maureralso a mission specialist, to the space station for a six-month science mission, staying aboard until about late April 2022. 

  

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket are in good shape and will remain at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. 

 

The Crew-2 flight will return to Earth with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet.  Crew 2’s Dragon undocking depends on a variety of factors, including vehicle readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors. 

 

The Crew Dragon spacecraft is capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days as a NASA requirement. Additional analysis could allow the spacecraft to remain in orbit for longer, if necessary. Crew Dragon Endeavour remains healthy while currently docked to the space station. 

 

Teams are reviewing all options for safely launching and returning crew members to continue the agency’s important work on the International Space Station. Updated Crew-3 launch and Crew-2 return timelines will be provided in the coming days.  

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Launch Delayed from Nov. 3

SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts (from left) Matthias Maurer, Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari and Kayla Barron pose for a portrait during preflight training at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts (from left) Matthias Maurer, Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari and Kayla Barron pose for a portrait during preflight training at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA is delaying the upcoming launch of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission due to a minor medical issue involving one of its crew members. The issue is not a medical emergency and not related to COVID-19. The launch to the International Space Station was planned for Wednesday, Nov. 3.

The agency takes every effort to protect the crew prior to its launch through a health stabilization plan. Crew-3 astronauts will remain in quarantine at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida while preparing for their launch.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are photographed at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on Oct. 31, 2021.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-3 mission, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Teams will continue to monitor crew health as they evaluate potential launch opportunities at the end of the week. The earliest possible opportunity for launch is 11:36 p.m. EDT Saturday, Nov. 6.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket are in good shape and will remain at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy.

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.

This is the third crew rotation mission with astronauts on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the fourth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

NASA also will continue to evaluate dates for a return to Earth for NASA’s SpaceX 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.

Mission teams are reviewing options including both direct and indirect handovers for the upcoming crew rotation at the microgravity laboratory. Teams will review all options for safely launching and returning crew members and continue the agency’s important work on the International Space Station.

 

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.