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Scheduled for Ascent: Launch of Soyuz MS-24 with Next Crew for the International Space Station Today
The Soyuz rocket has been transported via train and positioned at the launch pad at Site 31 on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Astronaut Loral O’Hara from NASA’s Expedition 70, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, are set to embark on their journey aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on September 15. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Launch Authorization Granted
Today, Friday, September 15, mission control has authorized the launch of Soyuz MS-24, scheduled for 11:44 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft will be piloted by NASA’s Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub. Following the launch, they will dock with the Rassvet module of the International Space Station at approximately 2:56 p.m. EDT.
Arrival Procedures
Upon the new crew’s arrival, Expedition 69 Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin will be in charge of monitoring the docking process. After ensuring no leaks and confirming pressure stability, Prokopyev will unlock the hatch of the Rassvet module, while Kononenko and Chub will open the hatch of the Soyuz spacecraft. The incoming trio will then join the existing crew members for a welcoming ceremony, undergo a safety briefing, and commence a six-month research mission in space.
Pre-Launch Activities
To accommodate the new arrivals, Prokopyev and Petelin spent Thursday preparing living quarters within the Roscosmos segment of the orbital lab. NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio will complete the set-up of O’Hara’s living space in the Columbus laboratory module today, prior to her arrival.
Imminent Return
Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Frank Rubio are also making preparations for their return to Earth, scheduled in the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft for September 27. Both cosmonauts have been conducting trials with lower body negative pressure suits, intended to help their physiological adjustment to Earth’s gravity after an extended period in microgravity. Upon his return, Rubio will set a new NASA record for the longest single spaceflight, clocking in at 371 days and surpassing the previous record of 355 days set by astronaut Mark Vande Hei.
Research Initiatives
Frank Rubio collaborated with fellow Expedition 69 astronauts on Thursday for the Vascular Aging study. Blood, urine, and saliva samples were collected for analytical purposes. The sample gathering was a cooperative effort, involving astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Andreas Mogensen, and Satoshi Furukawa.
Supplementary Activities
In additional preparation, Andreas Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) received training on operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm and conducted maintenance on laptop computers within the Columbus lab. Meanwhile, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) organized food and beverages for the new crew and took water samples from the Kibo laboratory module for analysis.
Konstantin Borisov, a cosmonaut with Roscosmos, allocated the initial part of his day to tasks related to orbital systems and electronics upkeep. During the latter part, he inspected video equipment and laptop computers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Soyuz MS-24 launch
What is the main subject of the article?
The article primarily focuses on the scheduled launch of the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft, which is set to carry a new crew to the International Space Station. It provides details on the astronauts involved, pre-launch activities, and the tasks that will be undertaken upon arrival.
Who are the astronauts scheduled for the Soyuz MS-24 launch?
The astronauts scheduled for the Soyuz MS-24 launch are NASA’s Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.
When is the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft scheduled to launch and dock?
The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft is scheduled to launch on Friday, September 15, at 11:44 a.m. EDT. It is expected to dock with the International Space Station’s Rassvet module at approximately 2:56 p.m. EDT on the same day.
What are the responsibilities of the existing crew members upon the new crew’s arrival?
Expedition 69 Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin will monitor the docking process. After confirming that there are no leaks and that pressure levels are stable, they will open the Rassvet module hatch to welcome the new crew.
What research activities are ongoing at the International Space Station?
One of the research initiatives mentioned is the Vascular Aging study, for which blood, urine, and saliva samples have been collected. The samples will be analyzed as part of this study.
Who holds the current record for the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut?
The current record for the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut is 355 days, held by astronaut Mark Vande Hei. However, NASA Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is set to surpass this record with a 371-day mission upon his return to Earth.
What additional activities are taking place on the International Space Station?
Additional activities include training on operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm by Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (ESA) and maintenance work on laptop computers. Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is organizing food and beverages for the new crew and taking water samples from the Kibo laboratory module for analysis.
What are the preparations for the astronauts’ return to Earth?
Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Frank Rubio are preparing for their return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft on September 27. They have been conducting tests with lower body negative pressure suits to facilitate their adjustment to Earth’s gravity after their extended stay in space.
More about Soyuz MS-24 launch
- Soyuz MS-24 Mission Overview
- NASA’s Expedition 70
- Roscosmos Official Website
- International Space Station Research
- Vascular Aging Study
- Canadarm2 Robotic Arm
- Mark Vande Hei’s Record Spaceflight
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
9 comments
Did I read that right? Rubio’s gonna set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut? That’s just mind-blowing!
Vascular Aging study sounds intriguing. Imagine what we can learn bout our bodies from space research!
That Canadarm2 thing always amazes me. The tech we’ve got floating in space is just insane.
Good to see such a detailed report. Keeps us well informed about what’s going on up there, Kudos to the writer.
So many activities on the ISS, from robotic arm training to laptop maintenance. It’s like a busy city up there but in space.
Wow, this is big news! Cant wait to see the new crew up there doing science and stuff. its gonna be awesome.
I’ve always wondered, how do they even do a welcoming ceremony in microgravity? Gotta be a logistical nightmare lol.
Expedition 69 and 70 joining forces for a 6-month mission? This is like the Avengers of space expeditions!
Returning astronauts testing pressure suits for quicker adjustment to Earth’s gravity? man, space science is far out.