Wednesday saw the launch of an international crew of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) by SpaceX and NASA as reported by CNN.
The mission
The mission, which involves some firsts in history, continued to advance despite growing geopolitical tensions locally.
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina were the four crew members that launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center at 12 p.m. ET on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Here’s what to expect next:
- A slow and steady trip: The Crew Dragon spacecraft is now in orbit, and is set to begin a slow, precise trek to the ISS, which orbits about 200 miles (322 kilometres) above the Earth’s surface.
- Thursday 4:57 p.m.: The spacecraft is aiming to dock with the space station on Thursday around 5 p.m. ET.
- Thursday 6:42 p.m.: The hatch will open ahead of the welcome ceremony later in the evening.
- Thursday 8:15 p.m.: There are seven astronauts already on board the ISS. There will be a handover period, where the current ISS crew will help the newly arrived astronauts settle in before a separate Crew Dragon spacecraft brings the four astronauts who were part of SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission back home.
- Five months later: Crew-5 is slated to return from space in about five months.
While we wait for the spacecraft to dock, you can check out some photos from today’s launch here.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: CNN
