NASA and SpaceX are in the final stages of preparation for the upcoming Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with the launch date set for August 25.
The Crew-7 mission will be manned by four spacefarers representing different space agencies. NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli from the United States, Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA) representing Denmark, Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Konstantin Borisov from Russia's Roscosmos are the crew members for this mission.
Where to Watch?
The launch of Crew-7 is scheduled to take place no earlier than 3:49 a.m. ET (00:49 a.m. PT) on August 25. The launch will be facilitated by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Viewers interested in witnessing the launch and initial stages of the flight can watch the event through a video player that will be available at the top of the relevant webpage or by tuning into SpaceX's official YouTube channel.
Crew-7's Preparations
Ahead of their departure to the launch site in Florida for the ISS mission, the crew members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 will undergo a quarantine period, a customary step in the lead-up to all ISS missions.
This quarantine phase, spanning two weeks before liftoff, serves to ensure the health of the crew members and safeguard the health of the astronauts already stationed aboard the ISS.
During this time, interactions with individuals outside the quarantine environment are minimized to prevent potential illness. Close relatives and select members of the launch and flight teams are given clearance to interact with the crew within specific guidelines during this period, although most interactions are conducted remotely, according to NASA.
Earlier in the month, the Crew-7 members visited NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to become acquainted with the spacecraft, Dragon. At SpaceX's refurbishment facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the crew underwent flight suit donning, conducted leak checks, and completed communication tests within the spacecraft.
The Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, is set to transport the crew members to the ISS. This spacecraft has previously supported the Crew-3 and Crew-5 missions to and from the space station.
Scheduled for launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy, the Crew-7 mission represents NASA's eighth human spaceflight facilitated by a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Additionally, it marks the seventh crew rotation mission to the ISS since 2020, in alignment with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
During their preparations, the Crew-7 members also acclimated themselves to the sounds generated by the Dragon spacecraft's fans and pumps, anticipating the auditory experience throughout the flight. Furthermore, they took time to familiarize themselves with the interior layout of Dragon before departing the spacecraft.
At SpaceX's Launch Complex 39A, the crew participated in a comprehensive site tour, underwent emergency training, and enjoyed a stunning early morning view of the Kennedy Space Center from the launch pad's tower after ascending via the elevator.
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