posted 12-14-2020 09:34 AM               

NASA, ESA Choose Astronauts for SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to Space Station

NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) have selected three astronauts to serve as crew members for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station, which is expected to launch in the fall of 2021.

Above: The members of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. Pictured from left are NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer.

The trio will consist of NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn, who will serve as commander and pilot, respectively, and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, who will serve as a mission specialist. A fourth crew member will be added at a later date, following a review by NASA and its international partners.

This will be the first spaceflight for Chari, who became a NASA astronaut in 2017. He was born in Milwaukee, but considers Cedar Falls, Iowa, his hometown. He is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and joins the mission with extensive experience as a test pilot. He has accumulated more than 2,500 hours of flight time in his career. Chari was selected earlier this month as a member of the Artemis Team and is now eligible for assignment to a future lunar mission.

Marshburn is a Statesville, North Carolina, native who became an astronaut in 2004. Prior to serving in the astronaut corps, the medical doctor served as flight surgeon at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and later became medical operations lead for the International Space Station. The Crew-3 mission will be his third visit to the space station and his second long-duration mission. Marshburn previously served as a crew member of STS-127 in 2009 and Expedition 34/35, which concluded in 2013.

Maurer comes from Sankt Wendel, in the German state of Saarland. Like Chari, Maurer will be making his first trip to space with the Crew-3 mission. Before becoming an astronaut, Maurer held a number of engineering and research roles, both in a university setting and at ESA. In 2016, Maurer spent 16 days on an undersea mission as part of a NASA's Extreme Environment Mission Operations, or NEEMO, space analog.

When Chari, Marshburn, and Maurer arrive at the orbiting laboratory, they will become expedition crew members for the duration of their six-month stay. The crew will have a slight overlap with the Crew-2 astronauts, who are expected to launch in the spring of 2021. This will not be the first commercial crew mission to overlap. The Crew-1 astronauts, who are currently on station, and the Crew-2 astronauts, also are expected to coincide in their sojourns for a short time. Increasing the total number of astronauts aboard the station is allowing the agency to boost the number of science investigations conducted in the unique microgravity environment.

This will be the third crew rotation mission of SpaceX's human space transportation system and its fourth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The goal of the program is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective crew access to the space station and low-Earth orbit in partnership with American aerospace industry. NASA's contract with SpaceX is for six total crew missions to the orbiting laboratory. Commercial transportation to and from the station will provide expanded utility, additional research time, and broader opportunities for discovery on the orbital outpost.

posted 05-17-2021 01:16 PM               

Kayla Barron Joins NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to Space Station

NASA has assigned Kayla Barron to serve as a mission specialist for the agency's SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station, which is targeted to launch as early as Oct. 23.

Above: NASA astronaut candidate Kayla Barron poses for a portrait after donning her spacesuit, Friday, July 12, 2019 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

This will be the first spaceflight for Barron, who became a NASA astronaut in January 2020 after completing two years of training. She will join NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn, as the mission's commander and pilot, respectively, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, who also will serve as a mission specialist.

This will be the third crew rotation mission on SpaceX's human space transportation system and its fourth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Barron was born in Pocatello, Idaho, but considers Richland, Washington, her hometown. She earned a bachelor's degree in systems engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2010. She earned a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Cambridge, in England, in 2011, as Gates Cambridge Scholar. Lt. Cmdr. Barron earned her submarine warfare officer qualification and deployed three times while serving aboard the USS Maine. At the time of her selection as an astronaut candidate in 2017, she was serving as the flag aide to the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.

NASA previously assigned Chari, Marshburn, and Maurer to the mission in December 2020. This will be the first spaceflight for Chari and Maurer. It will be the third spaceflight for Marshburn, who previously served as a crew member of the space shuttle STS-127 mission in 2009 and Expedition 34/35 aboard the space station, which concluded in 2013.

When Barron, Chari, Marshburn, and Maurer arrive at the orbiting laboratory, they will become expedition crew members for the duration of their six-month science mission. The crew will have a slight overlap with the Crew-2 astronauts, who arrived April 24. This will mark the second time commercial crew missions have overlapped on the station. The Crew-1 astronauts, who ended their mission with a splashdown off the coast of Panama City, Florida, on Sunday, May 2, were aboard the station with the Crew-2 astronauts for a seven-day direct crew handover. Increasing the total number of astronauts aboard the station enables the agency to boost the number of science investigations conducted in the unique microgravity environment.

posted 09-08-2021 02:00 PM               

NASA, SpaceX target Oct. 31 for launch of Crew-3

NASA and SpaceX are continuing plans to launch Crew-3 astronauts to the International Space Station as early as Sunday Oct. 31.

Crew-3 will be the third crew rotation mission with astronauts on an American rocket and spacecraft from the United States to the space station, and the fourth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight in 2020, Crew-1 mission in 2020-21, and the ongoing Crew-2 flight as part of the Expedition 65 crew.

The Crew-3 mission will launch NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander, Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission specialist, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer, also a mission specialist, aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew is scheduled for a long-duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, living and working as part of what is expected to be a seven-member crew.

Crew-3 astronauts plan to arrive at the station to overlap with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who flew to the station as part of the agency's SpaceX Crew-2 mission in April 2021.

posted 09-30-2021 04:33 PM               

NASA, SpaceX Adjust Next Space Station Crew Rotation Launch Date

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 2:43 a.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 30, for the agency's Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station. The date adjustment provides two consecutive launch attempts for the crew rotation mission with the backup time and date of 2:21 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.

NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander, Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission specialist and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, also a mission specialist, will launch on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-3 astronauts are scheduled for a long-duration science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, living and working as part of what is expected to be a seven-member crew.

Launch on Oct. 30 would have Crew-3 arriving at the space station early the next day after an approximate 22-hour journey for a short overlap with the astronauts who flew to the station as part of the agency's SpaceX Crew-2 mission.

Return of Crew-2 with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, is currently planned for early-to-mid November.

posted 10-08-2021 01:05 AM               

Astronauts name new SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule 'Endurance'

SpaceX's next new capsule to launch astronauts now has a name to last.

NASA astronaut Raja Chari, who is set to command SpaceX's Crew-3 aboard the fresh-off-the-factory-floor spacecraft, revealed the new moniker at his and his crewmates' pre-mission press conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday (Oct. 7).

posted 10-19-2021 05:15 PM               

NASA, SpaceX Adjust Next Crew Launch Date to Space Station

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting 2:21 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 31, for the agency's Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station to allow additional time for spacecraft processing. The backup launch time and date is 1:10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3.

NASA astronauts Raja Chari, mission commander, Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission specialist as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, also a mission specialist, will launch on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The international crew entered their official quarantine Oct. 16, and will travel to Kennedy in the coming days for final training and preparations prior to launch.

Crew-3 astronauts are scheduled for a long-duration science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, living and working as part of what is expected to be a seven-member crew. Launch on Oct. 31 would have Crew-3 arriving at the space station early on the morning of Monday, Nov. 1, for a short handover with the astronauts who flew to the station in April as part of the agency's SpaceX Crew-2 mission.

posted 10-26-2021 09:59 AM               

NASA, SpaceX 'Go' for Launch

The Flight Readiness Review for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station concluded on Monday (Oct. 25), and teams are proceeding toward a 2:21 a.m. EDT (0621 GMT) liftoff on Sunday, Oct. 31, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Florida.

posted 10-27-2021 09:18 AM               

Falcon 9 and Dragon rolling out of the hangar at Launch Complex 39A ahead of launching astronauts this weekend.

posted 10-27-2021 04:41 PM               

Falcon 9 and Dragon vertical on Launch Complex 39A.

posted 10-28-2021 11:13 AM               

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test ahead of NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 10-30-2021 02:42 AM               

Weather along ascent corridor delays Crew-3 launch

NASA and SpaceX are now targeting Wednesday (Nov. 3) at 1:10 a.m. EDT (0510 GMT) for the launch of Crew-3 to the International Space Station due to a large storm system meandering across the Ohio Valley and through northeastern United States, elevating winds and waves in the Atlantic Ocean along the Dragon's flight path for the Oct. 31 launch attempt.

Conditions along the ascent corridor are expected to improve for the Nov. 3 launch attempt, and the 45th Weather Squadron forecast predicts an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions at the launch site.

A launch on Wednesday would have Crew-3 arriving at the space station later the same day at about 11 p.m. EDT (0300 GMT Nov. 4).

posted 11-01-2021 02:35 PM               

'Minor medical issue' delays Crew-3 launch

NASA is delaying the upcoming launch of the agency's SpaceX Crew-3 mission due to a minor medical issue involving one of its crew members. The issue is not a medical emergency and not related to COVID-19. The launch to the International Space Station was planned for Wednesday, Nov. 3.

The agency takes every effort to protect the crew prior to its launch through a health stabilization plan. Crew-3 astronauts will remain in quarantine at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida while preparing for their launch.

Teams will continue to monitor crew health as they evaluate potential launch opportunities at the end of the week. The earliest possible opportunity for launch is 11:36 p.m. EDT Saturday, Nov. 6 (0336 GMT Nov. 7).

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket are in good shape and will remain at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy.

NASA also will continue to evaluate dates for a return to Earth for NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 mission. Mission teams are reviewing options including both direct and indirect handovers for the upcoming crew rotation at the microgravity laboratory. Teams will review all options for safely launching and returning crew members and continue the agency's important work on the International Space Station.

posted 11-04-2021 01:15 PM               

NASA, SpaceX reviewing crew rotation plans

NASA and SpaceX continue to review launch and return opportunities for the upcoming crew rotation flights to and from the International Space Station as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

Mission teams now are considering whether to return the agency's SpaceX Crew-2 mission from the space station ahead of launching the next crew rotation due to the associated weather considerations for both launch and recovery operations.

The earliest possible opportunity for Crew-2 undocking from the space station is at 1:05 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 7, to begin the return trip to Earth for splashdown off the coast of Florida. A back-up undocking opportunity also is available Monday, Nov. 8.

The earliest possible opportunity for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 launch is 9:51 p.m. EST Monday, Nov. 8, if mission teams do not pursue Crew-2 return on Sunday, Nov. 7 or Monday. Nov. 8.

Mission teams will make a final decision on whether to prioritize Crew-3's launch or Crew-2's return in the coming days based on the likelihood of favorable conditions for a Crew Dragon splashdown or Crew Dragon launch. NASA and SpaceX also are reviewing the time needed between launch or return operations.

NASA and SpaceX are forgoing launch opportunities Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7, due to unfavorable weather conditions. Weather officials with the 45th Weather Squadron forecast only a 40% chance of favorable launch weather on Saturday, Nov. 6, with the primary concerns revolving around liftoff winds, cumulus clouds, and surface electric field constraints. The down range weather also is not acceptable on Sunday, Nov. 7 due to risks associated with launch abort sites up the eastern seaboard.

Mission teams still are monitoring weather conditions for a launch attempt on Monday, Nov. 8. The primary operational concern is strong winds at the pad and unfavorable conditions down range.

"These are dynamic and complex decisions that change day by day," said Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager. "The weather in November can be especially challenging, so our goal is to move forward on the plan with the highest probability of mission assurance and crew safety."

The agency continues to monitor a minor medical issue involving one of the Crew-3 astronauts, which is expected to be clear prior to launch.

Crew 2's Dragon undocking depends on a variety of factors, including vehicle readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft is capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days as a NASA requirement. Additional analysis could allow the spacecraft to remain in orbit for longer, if necessary. Crew Dragon Endeavour remains healthy while currently docked to the space station.

Teams are reviewing all options for safely launching and returning crew members to continue the agency's important work on the International Space Station. Updated Crew-3 launch and Crew-2 return timelines will be provided in the coming days.

posted 11-05-2021 08:32 PM               

With Crew-2 scheduled to splashdown Monday, Nov. 8, Crew-3 is targeting a launch no earlier than 9:03 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Nov. 10 (0203 GMT on Nov. 11). For this launch opportunity, the Crew Dragon Endurance would dock to the space station around 7:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Nov. 11.

posted 11-10-2021 04:48 PM               

Astronauts depart for launchpad

Crew-3 astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer exited their crew quarters at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and departed for Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at T-minus 3 hours and 15 minutes or 4:48 p.m. EST (2148 GMT) on Wednesday (Nov. 10).

The astronauts' ride to the pad were two customized Tesla Model X electric SUVs outfitted with cooling air for their pressure suits. Their vehicles traveled as part of a convoy including support team members and security personnel. Chari and Marshburn rode together in one car, with Barron and Maurer in the other.

The crew's vehicles, together with a third carrying support personnel, had the matching license plates "S3ND IT."

The countdown continues for the scheduled 9:03 p.m. EST (0203 GMT Nov. 11) launch.

posted 11-10-2021 05:26 PM               

Crew members climb aboard Endurance

Crew-3 astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer arrived at Launch Complex 39A and took the elevator up to the 255-foot level of the fixed service structure. They then took a short flight of stairs to the crew access level, where they crossed the crew access arm – the walkway from the fixed service structure over to the White Room and their waiting SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, "Endurance."

Commander Chari entered the Dragon first and took Seat 2, followed by pilot Marshburn in Seat 3. Mission specialist Barron then ingressed and was seated to Chari's left in Seat 1, followed by Maurer, also a mission specialist, in Seat 4 to Marshburn's left.

As the astronauts boarded, their seats were configured in the upright position; later, prior to closure of the spacecraft's side hatch, the seats will be rotated into a reclined position for flight.

posted 11-10-2021 06:26 PM               

Endurance hatch closed for launch

The side hatch through which the Crew-3 astronauts entered their Dragon spacecraft was closed and a leak check is complete.

Launch of the Crew Dragon Endurance carrying Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer remains on track for 9:03 p.m. EST (0203 GMT) from Kennedy Space Center.

posted 11-10-2021 07:28 PM               

Loading of Falcon 9 propellant begins

Valves are open and propellants are beginning to flow into the Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX's launch director verified both the company's and NASA's teams were "go" to begin loading the Falcon 9's propellants – liquid oxygen and a refined, rocket-grade kerosene called RP-1 – into the first and second stages.

The access arm that provided a walkway for the Crew-3 astronauts earlier is now retracted from the rocket.

The Dragon's launch escape system (LES), consisting of a set of eight SuperDraco engines integrated into the spacecraft's body, has been armed. The LES is designed to separate the capsule from the Falcon 9 rocket and carry the crew away to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency.

posted 11-10-2021 08:04 PM               

SpaceX's Crew-3 lifts off for space station on Dragon Endurance

NASA's first rookie astronaut to lead a space mission in 48 years (almost to the day) is now on his way to the International Space Station, commanding a crew of three, including the 600th person to fly into space.

Crew-3 commander Raja Chari, pilot Tom Marshburn and mission specialist Kayla Barron, all with NASA, together with mission specialist Matthias Maurer with the European Space Agency (ESA), lifted off on Wednesday (Nov. 10) for a six-month stay on the space station. Flying on SpaceX's third Crew Dragon spacecraft to enter service, which they named "Endurance," the four astronauts launched at 9:03 p.m. EST (0203 GMT Nov. 11) atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 11-11-2021 05:33 PM               

Endurance docks to space station

SpaceX's Crew Dragon "Endurance" has arrived at the International Space Station.

Endurance, carrying Crew-3 astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer, docked to the forward-facing port of the station's Harmony node at 6:32 p.m. EST (2332 GMT) on Thursday (Nov. 11). The autonomous mating came about 40 minutes earlier than originally expected, completing a 21.5-hour rendezvous.

Approaching the station from below, Endurance guided itself through waypoints directly in front of the station before making contact.

After a series of pressure checks, the Crew-3 astronauts will open the hatches and enter the space station, joining Expedition 66 commander Anton Shkaplerov and flight engineers Mark Vande Hei and Pyotr Dubrov.

posted 05-05-2022 12:20 AM               

Endurance undocks from space station

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endurance undocked from the forward-facing port of the International Space Station's Harmony node on Thursday (May 5) at 1:20 a.m. EDT (0520 GMT).

Short firings of Endurance's Draco thrusters gently pushed the spacecraft away from the orbiting complex to begin the Crew-3 astronauts' journey back to Earth. NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron, together with Matthias Maurer with the European Space Agency, were aboard the space station for 175 days.

A series of departure burns will increase the distance between the Dragon and station, culminating in a splashdown targeted for 12:43 a.m. EDT (0445 GMT) on Friday (May 6) off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.

posted 05-06-2022 12:06 AM               

Crew-3 astronauts on SpaceX 'Endurance' splash down from space station

Descending under parachutes into the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX's Dragon capsule "Endurance" brought four astronauts back from the International Space Station after an almost six-month stay.

Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron, all of NASA, and Matthias Maurer with the European Space Agency (ESA) splashed down Friday (May 6) at 12:43 a.m. EDT (0443 GMT). The landing, off the coast of Florida, marked the end of the Crew-3 mission, 176 days after it began.