CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – The SpaceX rocket launch of NASA’s Crew-6 mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida to the International Space Station is set for tonight at 12:34 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 2.
The instantaneous launch window is at 12:34 a.m. ET (5:34 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Friday, March 3 at 12:11 a.m. ET (5:11 UTC).
NASA and SpaceX scrubbed Monday’s launch attempt due to a ground systems issue.
Mission teams decided to stand down to investigate an issue preventing data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first-stage Merlin engines.
“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams’ focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly when we are ready.”
SpaceX has removed propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft for astronaut crew quarters. Both Falcon 9 and Dragon are in a safe configuration.
NASA and SpaceX skipped a launch opportunity on Tuesday, Feb. 28, due to unfavorable weather forecast conditions.
According to the latest forecast from the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron, there is a 95% chance of favorable weather for launch.
The primary weather concern is flight through precipitation.
Following stage separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 Block 5 will attempt a landing on an autonomous drone ship Just Read The Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.
Crew-6 will conduct experiments to study how particular materials burn in microgravity, tissue chip research on heart, brain, and cartilage functions, and an investigation that will collect microbial samples from the outside of the space station.
These are just some of the more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during their mission.
Copyright 2011-2023 Brevard Times. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us Privacy Policy