A convoy of SpaceX vehicles, including all four members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 flight crew, passes by the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the way to Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A on March 1, 2023. Photo credit: NASA
Crew-6 crewmates Stephen Bowen, Warren 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 12:34 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 24.5-hour journey to the International Space Station sets up a 1:17 a.m. EST docking at the orbiting laboratory on Friday, March 3.
Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website for a live broadcast.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crew members wave to family and friends outside of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 1, 2023. From left are Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi. Photo credit: NASA
NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren 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.
It is about three hours, 15 minutes until liftoff.
From left, NASA astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen lead the way during walkout for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission launch from Kennedy’s Space Center in Florida.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 crew members are about to walk 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.
Before taking a ride to Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, the crew will pause to wave to family and friends, as well as NASA, SpaceX, and international partner managers who have come to see them off. For a live broadcast, tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Endeavour spacecraft stand tall at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A for liftoff of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission. Credit: NASA
Coverage is underway on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website for 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.
Tune in to watch NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, suit up for launch (live commentary begins at 9:10 p.m. EST). The crewmates are preparing for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A, is targeting 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2.
A look at the iconic countdown clock at Kennedy Space Center’s NASA News Center on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is set to launch from the Florida Spaceport Thursday, March 2, at 12:34 a.m. EST. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Chambers
NASA’s SpaceX 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 (12:34 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 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 9 p.m. EST, there will be a live broadcast on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
From left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Woody Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi relax in the suit-up room inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on March 1, 2023. Photo credit: NASA
Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website starting at 8:45 p.m. EST to watch NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, suit up for launch. The crewmates are preparing for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station inside the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
During suit-up activities, SpaceX suit technicians will help the crew put on their custom-fitted spacesuits and check the suits for leaks. Once suited up, the flight crew will depart the Operations and Checkout Building and take a short car ride to Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.
Stay on NASA TV or the agency’s website to watch live coverage of Crew-6, including key milestones leading up to – and following – liftoff. You also can view continuous coverage here on the Crew-6 blog.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission launch is targeted for 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA
Good evening and a hearty welcome from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! At 12:34 a.m. EST, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission will launch to the International Space Station from Kennedy’s historic Launch Complex 39A.
Weather is looking great, as 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 flight through precipitation rule serving as the primary concern. Conditions along the Dragon ascent corridor are within acceptable limits, but will remain a watch item throughout the launch countdown.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped by the company’s Dragon spacecraft – named Endeavour – awaits liftoff in just a few hours. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, mission commander, and Warren 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 on a science expedition mission. 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.
After an approximate 24.5-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.
At Kennedy’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, the astronauts will be suiting up in less than an hour. Tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website at 8:45 p.m. EST to view the Crew-6 in the suit-up room. That will be followed by a live broadcast of key launch activities and milestones – through liftoff from the Space Coast of Florida.
The flight crew for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission are shown in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building’s suit-up room at Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a countdown dress rehearsal on Feb. 23, 2023. From left are Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi. Launch is slated for 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station is targeted to launch no earlier than 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2, from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft will be from Launch Complex 39A.
Mission management teams are meeting late Tuesday to review launch readiness and assess weather conditions at the launch site and along Dragon’s planned flight path; an update will be shared after the reviews.
Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron continue to predict a 95% chance of favorable weather conditions for Crew-6 launch, with the flight through precipitation rule serving as the primary weather concern. Teams also need to evaluate conditions along the Dragon ascent corridor, which is a watch item for Thursday’s attempt.
Updated mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
Wednesday, March 1
9 p.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins
Thursday, March 2
12:34 a.m. – Launch
2:30 a.m. (approximately) – Postlaunch news conference on NASA TV
11:30 p.m. – NASA TV arrival coverage begins
Friday, March 3
1:17 a.m. – Docking to space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module
2:55 a.m. – Hatch opening
3:40 a.m. – Welcome ceremony
Crew-6 will carry two NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren 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. The trip will mark the fourth spaceflight for Bowen and the first for Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station at 1:45 EST Monday, Feb. 27, was scrubbed. The next available launch attempt is at 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2, pending resolution of the technical issue preventing Monday’s launch. Photo credit: SpaceX
NASA and SpaceX scrubbed Monday’s launch attempt of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station due to a ground systems issue. Mission teams decided to stand down to investigate an issue preventing data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first stage Merlin engines, triethylaluminum triethylboron (or TEA-TEB).
“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams’ focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly when we are ready.”
SpaceX has removed propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft for astronaut crew quarters. Both the Falcon 9 and Dragon are in a safe configuration.
NASA and SpaceX will forgo a launch opportunity on Tuesday, Feb. 28, due to unfavorable weather forecast conditions.
The next available launch attempt is at 12:34 a.m. EST Thursday, March 2, pending resolution of the technical issue preventing Monday’s launch.
NASA and SpaceX will a hold media teleconference prior to the next launch attempt, and more details will be provided as available. Follow along with launch activities and get more information about the mission at: https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/.
Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida to the International Space Station has been scrubbed. More information is coming soon.
