Inside the crew access arm at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida, members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 were photographed during a familiarization tour on July 22, 2023. The crew will use this arm to access the Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX on launch day. Included in the photo from left to right are Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, all serving crucial roles in the mission. Image credit: SpaceX
The Crew-7 mission team for NASA’s SpaceX went into quarantine on the preceding Friday before the scheduled launch to the International Space Station on August 25. The typical preparations encompass health stabilization, familiarization with the spacecraft, and launch site reviews at Kennedy Space Center. This mission signifies SpaceX’s eighth manned spaceflight and the seventh time they’ve conducted a crew change for NASA since 2020.
On Friday, August 11, those scheduled to participate in NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission began their quarantine, a significant step before they journey to Florida’s launch site to initiate their International Space Station mission.
Stabilizing the health of flight crew members is a standard aspect of the last stages of preparation for all space station missions. A two-week quarantine before launch helps ascertain the well-being of Crew-7 members and safeguards the astronauts currently in the space station. During this period, physical contact is minimized to avert illness, though some family members and launch team members can have access to the crew, most interactions are managed remotely.
During a visit to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on July 22, 2023, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 members became acquainted with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Present were Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. Image credit: SpaceX
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Exploring Kennedy Space Center
Last month, the crew toured Kennedy Space Center in Florida for an in-depth examination of their future spacecraft.
While at SpaceX’s refurbishment facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the four members donned flight suits, inspected the spacecraft, performed leak tests, and conducted communication checkouts.
The Crew-7 astronauts posed at SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, in front of their Dragon spacecraft, targeting a launch to the International Space Station on August 25 from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Image credit: SpaceX
Information on Crew and Launch
The crew traveling to the space station includes NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, which previously serviced the Crew-3 and Crew-5 missions.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is slated to launch Crew-7 at 3:49 a.m. EDT, no earlier than Friday, August 25, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy. Crew-7 represents NASA’s eighth human spaceflight using SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and the seventh crew rotation to the space station since 2020.
The Final Preparations
While inside the Dragon spacecraft, the crew also familiarized themselves with the sounds they will hear during the flight by listening to the fans and pumps. They spent extra time getting acquainted with Dragon’s interior before departing.
At SpaceX’s Launch Complex 39A, they toured the launch site, completed emergency training, and ascended the launch pad’s tower to take in a breathtaking early morning view of Kennedy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SpaceX Crew-7
When is NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 scheduled to launch?
The Crew-7 mission is scheduled to launch on August 25, 2023.
Who are the members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7?
The members include Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa.
Where will the launch of SpaceX Crew-7 take place?
The launch will take place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
What are the final preparations for the Crew-7 mission?
Final preparations include health stabilization, spacecraft familiarization, leak checks, communication checkouts, emergency training, and quarantine for two weeks before liftoff.
What is the purpose of Crew-7’s two-week quarantine before launch?
The quarantine helps ensure the Crew-7 members are healthy and protects the astronauts already on the International Space Station by limiting contact to avoid potential sickness.
What is the name of the SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft that will carry Crew-7?
The Dragon spacecraft that will carry Crew-7 is named Endurance.
How many crewed missions has SpaceX conducted for NASA since 2020?
Crew-7 marks SpaceX’s eighth human spaceflight and the seventh crew rotation for NASA since 2020.
More about SpaceX Crew-7
- NASA’s Official Website
- SpaceX’s Official Website
- International Space Station’s Official Page
- Kennedy Space Center’s Official Page
5 comments
my son wants to be an astronaut so he’s following this mission closely. The two-week quarantine is a bit surprising though. Why so long?
Gotta hand it to SpaceX. Consistently making big strides in space tech. This mission sounds complex, wish them all the luck.
I’ve been to kennedy space center, its huge! They’re doing so much testing and preparation for this, can’t wait to see it in action
Wow, can’t believe SpaceX’s already on their eighth human spaceflight. Go NASA and SpaceX! So exited for August 25!!
Who else wants to see a livestream? I wish I culd be an astronaut.