NASA and SpaceX are set to launch 4 crews to the International Space Station by the Crew-8 mission. This mission carries NASA astronauts, Matthew Dominick as the commander, Michael Barratt as the pilot, and Jeanette Epps as the mission specialist along with Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the crew aboard the Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, from Launch Complex Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, March 3 at 10:53 p.m. EST. The targeted docking to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module is set for Tuesday, March 5, at 3 a.m.
The team is expected to reside and work in the lab on the ISS for several months and is expected to return in September or later in 2024. The Crew-8 mission marks the eighth crew rotation with SpaceX to the station and the ninth occasion of the Dragon spacecraft carrying passengers as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The objective of Crew-8 Mission
The Crew 8 mission will engage in fresh scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, to benefit humanity on Earth.
- The experiments involve utilizing stem cells to generate organoid models for the study of degenerative diseases.
- Examining the impact of microgravity and UV radiation on plants at a cellular level.
- Over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations are scheduled during this mission.
Meet Crew-8
Launch Vehicle and Space Spacecraft
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew-8 mission with the Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour. As the rocket ascends, it will accelerate the Dragon to an orbital velocity of 17,500 mph. Once achieving this speed, the Dragon spacecraft will separate from the Falcon 9 and proceed to rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station. The Crew-8 mission marks another milestone for SpaceX as it continues to advance human space exploration with its reliable Falcon 9 rocket and Endeavour spacecraft.
SpaceX Crew 8 mission Insignia
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