NASA is partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and launched four astronauts into orbit on Wednesday. Here’s all about the four astronauts who are on their way to the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts take off to the International Space Station
The space station mission succeeded using a SpaceX launch vehicle consisting of a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket and a Crew Dragon capsule. The spaceship took off from NASA’s Kenedy Space Center based in Florida at 02:00 GMT, Thursday or, 21 hrs local time. The mission also marks the third operation crew arriving at the ISS on a Dragon capsule. NASA and SpaceX teamed up to restart launching from America after a nine-year hiatus of the American space shuttle program in 2011.
Endurance, the Dragon spacecraft aired live from Cape Canaveral on NASA’s channel. The take-off was a success with clear weather by flight time despite the overcast earlier in the day. The takeoff, punctuating with the sound of applause and cheers from mission controllers was a welcomed sight. After all the mission plans were previously muddled as it was previously scheduled for October 31’s launch window. One f the main reason was an unspecified medical issue pertaining to one of the astronauts. However, NASA later revealed that the problem was resolved. “Welcome to orbit. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Dragon will take you from here. Safe travels” radioed a ground crew launch engineer to the crew after liftoff.
More on the astronauts
NASA and SpaceX sent four astronauts into orbit. This time around, they are sending a veteran spacewalker and German material scientists. It also includes two young crewmates who are going to be in the future lunar missions. The European Space Agency astronaut and three American astronauts were due to reach the space station on Thursday, about 22 hours after takeoff. The International Space Station (ISS) is currently orbiting about 250 miles above the Earth.
Crew 3 consists of two members from NASA’s newest graduating class of astronauts- Kayla Barron and Raja Chari. Kayla Brown, aged 34 is a mission specialist a US Navy nuclear engineer, and a submarine officer. Raja Chari is a US Air Force test and combat jet pilot. The 44-year-old is the mission commander for the flight. Tom Marshburn, a veteran NASA flight surgeon, and medical doctor is the team’s pilot and second-in-command. The 61-year-old has previously logged two spaceflights to the ISS and finished four spacewalks. The last member of the crew, Matthias Maurer, aged 51 is from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Additionally, Barron and Chari are among the 18 people selected for being a part of NASA’s Artemis missions. Moreover, this mission is the debut flight for Chari, Maurer, and Barron, making them the 599th, 600thand 601th humans to go to space.
