The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft, is present at the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A for a brief static fire test prior to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks the seventh crew rotation flight involving the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Image credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky.
This week, two rockets from different sides of the globe are set to launch to the ISS, delivering cargo and a new crew. The initial launch occurred from Kazakhstan on Tuesday night, transporting supplies for the Expedition 69 crew. The subsequent launch from Florida will send four new crew members to the space station.
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Roscosmos Progress 85 Cargo Mission
The Roscosmos Progress 85 cargo mission commenced on a Soyuz rocket at 9:08 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 22, launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. After two days in orbit, it will dock with the Zvezda service module’s aft port at 11:50 p.m. on Thursday. Cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin will open Progress 85’s hatches early on Friday, initiating the unloading of around three tons of necessities such as food, fuel, and supplies.
Illuminated by spotlights, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft is prepared for the Crew-7 mission at Launch Complex 39A, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky.
SpaceX Crew-7 Launch Preparations
Four Commercial Crew astronauts were outfitted in the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center for a dry dress rehearsal of the launch. A pre-launch static fire test involving the Falcon 9 engines was executed for 6 seconds. The launch for SpaceX Crew-7 is scheduled for 3:49 a.m. on Friday.
Commander Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, along with Pilot Andreas Mogensen of ESA (European Space Agency) and Mission Specialists Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos, will travel to the orbital lab. Upon reaching the Harmony module’s space-facing port at 2:02 a.m. on Saturday, they will commence a six-month space research endeavor.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon spacecraft, is viewed at sunset on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A for the Crew-7 mission, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image credits: NASA/Joel Kowsky.
Activities Aboard the ISS
The ISS crew, comprising members from the U.S., UAE (United Arab Emirates), and Russia, maintained their concentration on microgravity research and laboratory upkeep on Tuesday.
NASA’s Flight Engineers Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen changed hardware inside the Fluids Integrated Rack for a study on boiling and condensation, potentially enhancing thermal systems both terrestrially and in space. Rubio and UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi organized cargo in the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter, while Bowen cleaned ventilation systems and monitored airflow sensors. Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg of NASA also contributed to Cygnus tasks and adjusted the Tranquility module’s Bishop airlock ahead of depressurization.
Health and Departure Preparations
Prokopyev spent the morning attaching sensors for an ongoing Roscosmos heart study and later collaborated with Petelin to apply ultrasound techniques to research the digestive system’s adaptability in zero gravity. Roscosmos Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev engaged in orbital plumbing within the Nauka science module.
The day concluded with a team comprising Fedyaev, Bowen, Hoburg, and Alneyadi initiating preparations for their scheduled departure on September 1 aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. Landing off Florida’s coast is expected approximately 24 hours after departure. The team engaged in discussions with ground specialists concerning spacecraft operations for their return to Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword International Space Station
What rockets are launching to the International Space Station this week?
Two rockets are launching to the ISS this week. The first is the Roscosmos Progress 85 cargo craft on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan. The second is the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Who are the astronauts in the SpaceX Crew-7 mission?
The SpaceX Crew-7 mission astronauts are Commander Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, Pilot Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (ESA), and Mission Specialists Satoshi Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos.
What are the main objectives of the Roscosmos Progress 85 cargo mission?
The Roscosmos Progress 85 cargo mission aims to deliver approximately three tons of food, fuel, and supplies to the International Space Station, docking to the aft port of the Zvezda service module.
When is the SpaceX Crew-7 mission scheduled to launch?
The SpaceX Crew-7 mission is slated to launch at 3:49 a.m. on Friday.
What were the primary activities of the crew aboard the ISS on Tuesday?
The crew aboard the ISS focused on microgravity research and lab maintenance, with specific tasks including boiling and condensation studies, organizing cargo, cleaning ventilation systems, and checking airflow sensors.
What preparations were made for the health and departure of some crew members?
During the morning, sensors were attached for a long-running Roscosmos heart study, and ultrasound techniques were employed to investigate the digestive system’s adaptability in a weightless environment. The team also initiated preparations for their departure on September 1 aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, with landing expected off Florida’s coast approximately 24 hours post-departure.
What is the destination port for SpaceX Crew-7 within the ISS?
The Crew-7, inside the Endurance spacecraft, will dock to the Harmony module’s space-facing port, initiating a six-month space research mission.
Who are the space agencies involved in these missions?
The space agencies involved include NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
More about fokus keyword International Space Station
- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
- SpaceX’s Official Website
- Roscosmos Official Website
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
5 comments
Wow, this is amazing news, I can’t believe two rockets launching in a week! Space is the future guys, trust me.
Great read, but some dates are bit confusing. Is the SpaceX mission on a Friday? Can someone clairify?
Impressed by the collaboration between NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA. keep pushing the boundaries of what’s posible!
This is a dream come true to see human’s exploration of the space. can we watch these launches live somewhere?
the detail on the astronauts and the Roscosmos heart study is fascinting. it’s incredible what humanity can acheive.