Awaiting liftoff aboard SpaceX Crew-7 is a team comprising four international astronauts, located inside the Crew Dragon Endurance, destined for the International Space Station. Pictured from left to right are Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos, Andreas Mogensen of ESA, Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, and Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA. Credit: SpaceX
The forthcoming SpaceX Crew-7 mission, set to launch this summer, embodies international collaboration, assembling astronauts from ESA, NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos. The crew, under the leadership of Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, features ESA’s first SpaceX Crew Dragon pilot, Andreas Mogensen, with mission specialists Satoshi Furukawa and Konstantin Borisov completing the team.
Crew-7, piloted by ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, is now fully staffed. Later this summer, the crew will undertake their journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Crew-7 mission, scheduled to launch in the summer of 2023, is led by NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli as commander, with ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen serving as pilot, and JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Roscosmos astronaut Konstantin Borisov as mission specialists. The mission’s patch features an Earth-topped dragon, emblematic of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, its tail encircling the planet, symbolizing the mission’s Earth-centric focus. Each crewmember’s name is inscribed in their respective languages along the patch’s edge. Credit: NASA
Joining the previously announced pilots of Crew-7, Andreas Mogensen and Jasmin Moghbeli, are mission specialists Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos. This diverse team will board SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, with Jasmin serving as the Crew-7 commander and Andreas making history as the first European pilot of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, where he will oversee the spacecraft’s systems and performance, thus paving the path for European space exploration.
The crew’s journey begins at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, from where they will launch and then spend approximately six months aboard the Space Station, conducting scientific experiments and maintaining the outpost during Expeditions 69 and 70.
JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, chosen as an astronaut in 1999 and having completed his training in 2001, previously embarked on a 165-day mission to the Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft as part of Expedition 28 and 29 in 2011. For the summer 2023 Crew-7 mission, he will fly alongside ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen to the International Space Station. Credit: JAXA
Satoshi
Satoshi Furukawa was selected as an astronaut in 1999 and finished his training in 2001. With a medical degree specializing in gastrointestinal surgery, he is a NASA-certified mission specialist and a flight engineer for Soyuz launches. He participated in the 13th NEEMO expedition, during which he spent ten days in an underwater laboratory off the Florida coast.
In 2011, Furukawa undertook a 165-day mission to the Space Station via a Soyuz spacecraft as part of Expedition 28 and 29. Since 2014, he has led JAXA’s Space Biomedical Research Group, promoting space medicine research.
Roscosmos astronaut Konstantin Borisov is set to journey to the International Space Station as a mission specialist for Crew-7. Credit: Roscosmos/ESA/NASA
Konstantin
Konstantin Borisov, filling the fourth seat, was chosen for astronaut training in 2018. He holds two Master’s degrees – one in Operations Research and Systems Analysis and the other in Aircraft Building. This mission will mark Konstantin’s first foray into space.
NASA astronaut Jasmin ‘Jaws’ Moghbeli is the commander of Crew-7. Alongside ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, they will navigate the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with Andreas serving as the pilot. Credit: NASA
Jasmin
Crew-7’s commander, Jasmin “Jaws” Moghbeli, oversees every phase of the flight, from launch to reentry. A seasoned test pilot from the US Marine Corps, she boasts over 2000 hours of flight in over 25 different aircraft, and holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Her astronaut training began in 2017, during which she contributed to the development of the Human Landing System, a lunar lander for the Artemis program. Crew-7 will mark her inaugural spaceflight.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SpaceX Crew-7 mission
What is the SpaceX Crew-7 mission?
The SpaceX Crew-7 mission is a collaborative effort involving astronauts from NASA, ESA, JAXA, and Roscosmos. It aims to transport the crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and conduct scientific experiments during their approximately six-month stay.
Who are the astronauts participating in Crew-7?
The Crew-7 mission includes Commander Jasmin Moghbeli from NASA, pilot Andreas Mogensen from ESA, and mission specialists Satoshi Furukawa from JAXA and Konstantin Borisov from Roscosmos.
When is the launch of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission?
The launch of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission is scheduled for summer 2023. The exact date will be determined closer to the launch window.
What is the role of each astronaut in Crew-7?
Jasmin Moghbeli is the mission commander, responsible for leading the crew throughout the mission. Andreas Mogensen serves as the pilot of the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Satoshi Furukawa and Konstantin Borisov are mission specialists, contributing to the scientific activities and maintenance tasks aboard the ISS.
How long will the Crew-7 mission last?
The Crew-7 mission is anticipated to last for approximately six months. The crew will conduct scientific experiments and perform maintenance duties as part of Expeditions 69 and 70 on the International Space Station.
What is the significance of the international collaboration in Crew-7?
The collaboration between NASA, ESA, JAXA, and Roscosmos in the Crew-7 mission highlights the global partnership in space exploration. It allows for shared expertise, resources, and a diverse perspective to further scientific advancements and promote cooperation among space agencies.
More about SpaceX Crew-7 mission
- SpaceX
- NASA
- ESA (European Space Agency)
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
- Roscosmos
- International Space Station (ISS)
