SpaceX is gearing up to send its next crew of astronauts to the International Space Station, perhaps as early as Saturday night, in a flight that comes as the station continues to leak air and has been doing so recently at an increased rate.
In a briefing earlier this week, Joel Montalbano, NASAs International Space Station program manager, said that the leak recently doubled from one to two pounds per day. The leak is located in the Russian segment of the station and has been isolated by closing a hatch to the area, sealing it off from the rest of the football-field-sized station.
The teams are watching it, he said. Were working with our Russian colleagues on the next steps. Its not an impact right now to crew safety or vehicle operations, but something for everybody to be aware of.
SpaceXs flight to the station includes three NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, Matthew Dominick and Michael Barratt as well as a Russian cosmonaut, Alexander Grebenkin. They are scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:16 p.m. Eastern time on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and travel to the station in a Dragon spacecraft.
The weather at the launch site is only 40 percent favorable, so the Crew-8 mission could move to another day. If SpaceX launches Crew-8 Saturday night, Dragon is scheduled to dock with the ISS at about 2:10 p.m. Sunday.
The presence of a Russian cosmonaut on the flight is another reminder of the binding partnership between Russia and the United States in space that has continued despite growing tensions between the countries over the war in Ukraine. Russia had even threatened to leave the partnership in protest over U.S. sanctions, and its space program has suffered greatly since SpaceX now routinely transports people to the ISS, a task NASA once paid Russia handsomely to perform.
Last year, Russia had to send a replacement Soyuz spacecraft to the station, after one was damaged and leaking coolant while it was docked at the space station. Russian officials later determined that the spacecraft was not safe to transport its crew of two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut home.
SpaceXs launch also comes amid concerns that Russia is developing a nuclear weapon that could be detonated in space to target satellites, which has caused alarm among members of Congress and national security officials who have said it could wipe out a vital layer of the nations communications and intelligence infrastructure. Such a weapon would be indiscriminate, officials have said, and could possibly also damage the ISS as well as the station China has assembled in orbit.
When asked about the reports of the threat, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, It does concern me because, naturally, if those newspaper reports are true, then we would be concerned about the safety of our astronauts on the International Space Station and our foreign astronauts, which would include the Roscosmos cosmonauts. We would be concerned as well about our satellites, NASAs satellites.
As for the current leak, Montalbano said it is in an area that in the past has had some leaks.
In fact, weve repaired a couple of cracks in that module, he said. Still, he said, the rest of the ISS is solid. The hatch is expected to be closed until early April, he added, and NASA is working with its Russian colleagues at Roscosmos on the next steps and what were going to do.
The flight is SpaceXs eighth crew rotation flight to the ISS, and its ninth human spaceflight mission for NASA, including a test flight of a pair of astronauts in May 2020. Since then, it also has flown four private astronaut missions.
Boeing, the other company NASA has hired to fly astronauts to the ISS, has yet to fly a single person to orbit on its Starliner capsule. But after years of delays, it is finally scheduled to fly two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore, in a test flight to the station in late April.
The flight was delayed from last year after concerns about flammable tape inside the capsule as well as a design problem with the parachutes that are to slow the capsule down as it flies back through the atmosphere to Earth. NASA is eager to get Starliner flying so that it has two vehicles certified to fly crews to the station, giving it a backup in case one system suffers a problem.
Were excited about that flight, Steve Stich, NASAs commercial crew program manager, said during the briefing. In the factory over at Boeing, the Starliner spacecraft is pretty much closed out. Weve loaded the fluid for the cooling system. The next big event really is to load propellant on the crew module and propellant in the service module, and thatll happen in mid-March.
In a statement, Boeing said that teams have already packed the spacecraft with 759 pounds of cargo, including supplies, tools, personal hygiene items for the astronauts as well as clothes and food.
SpaceX is also moving ahead with the next flight of Starship, its next-generation, fully reusable rocket booster and spacecraft that NASA intends to use to land astronauts on the moon. During its second flight, in November, the spacecraft successfully separated from the booster. But then, a leak occurred during a planned venting of excess liquid oxygen occurred that resulted in a combustion event and subsequent fires that led to a loss of communication between the spacecrafts flight computers, SpaceX said in a recent statement. As a result, its onboard emergency flight termination system destroyed the vehicle.
The Federal Aviation Administration recently signed off on SpaceXs investigation into the failure, but it said the company must still implement corrective actions and receive a modification to its license to address all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements. The FAA is evaluating SpaceXs license modification request and expects SpaceX to submit additional required information before a final determination can be made.
SpaceX has said that it has already implemented a number of changes to the next vehicles to fly that would improve leak reduction, fire protection and refined operations associated with the propellant vent to increase reliability.
The company is already working on future Starship boosters and spacecraft that are ready to fly, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible.
More here:
Amid tensions with Russia, SpaceX to launch Crew-8 to space station - The Washington Post
- Elon Musk's SpaceX and Tesla get far more government money than ... - Quartz - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- SpaceX fires up powerful Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of April 18 ... - Space.com - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- SpaceX Dragon cargo ship departs space station and returns to Earth - Space.com - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- SpaceX calls off 1st launch attempt of giant rocket in Texas - The Associated Press - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- Watch SpaceX Starship evolve and explode on the way to its 1st space launch (video) - Space.com - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- SpaceX achieves liftoff in Starship test but explosion ends flight early - Reuters - April 20th, 2023 [April 20th, 2023]
- SpaceX launches world's 1st satellite that can pinpoint carbon ... - Space.com - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- SpaceX Shifts the 2nd Launch of Its Starship Rocket to Saturday - The New York Times - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral with 23 Starlink satellites Spaceflight Now - Spaceflight Now - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Watch SpaceX's Starship launch on its 2nd-ever test flight today - Space.com - November 18th, 2023 [November 18th, 2023]
- Elon Musk's recent all-hands meeting at SpaceX was full of interesting news - Ars Technica - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- When will SpaceX Starship launch again? Here's what we know. - Mashable - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX: Axiom-3 astronaut launch pushed to Thursday at Cape Canaveral - Florida Today - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches 4 people for a private mission to the International Space Station - WFDD - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Mission Im-pasta-ble: SpaceX Is Blasting Fusilli Into Orbit - The Messenger - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Axiom and SpaceX are disrupting Europe's traditional pathway to space - Ars Technica - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Crew Preps for Private Astronaut Arrival as Ax-3 Mission Nears Launch - NASA Blogs - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Environmental experts express concern about SpaceX after company's second test flight results in further damage to ... - The Cool Down - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Third Axiom Space private astronaut mission ready for launch - SpaceNews - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches astronauts from Turkey, Sweden, Italy to International Space Station - Lufkin Daily News - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches astronauts from Turkey, Sweden, Italy to space station - Newsbug.info - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- 'If it had had a payload, it would have made it to orbit.' Elon Musk reveals cause of Starship explosion (video) - Space.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches 1st human spaceflight of the year on Axiom Space mission - Orlando Sentinel - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Meet the 4 astronauts of SpaceX's Ax-3 launch for Axiom Space - Space.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches astronauts from Turkey, Sweden, Italy to space station - Mississippi Valley Publishing - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Ax-3 Launch Date Adjusted; Crew Harvests Plants and Conducts Fluid Research - NASA Blogs - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX Launches Historic Ax-3 Astronauts to Orbit - The Messenger - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX says propellant venting caused loss of second Starship - SpaceNews - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches astronauts from Turkey, Sweden, Italy to space station - Salamanca Press - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- What time is the SpaceX Ax-3 astronaut launch for Axiom Space? How to watch it live today - Space.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- UPDATE 2: Success as SpaceX transports first humans for 2024 with Axiom's first all European commercial astronauts ... - SatNews - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Ax-3 Go for Launch; Crew Continues Space Botany and Fluid Research - NASA Blogs - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Updates: Axiom Space Ax-3 astronaut mission launches Thursday on SpaceX Falcon 9 from KSC - Florida Today - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launch today: Rocket set for liftoff in Ax-3 mission to ISS - USA TODAY - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches third Axiom mission to ISS - SpaceNews - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches 4 people for a private mission to the International Space Station - NPR - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- SOURCES: Stripe & SpaceX Are Buying Back Their Own Shares - Newcomer - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Elon Musk's Starship 'almost made it to orbit' before violently exploding, Musk claims at SpaceX meeting - Livescience.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- TPWD to consider land swap with SpaceX at Boca Chica - Brownsville Herald - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Why SpaceX Is Joining Forces With a Tractor Company - Gizmodo - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- John Deere & SpaceX and Mexican GM Corn Ban - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - AGInfo Ag Information Network - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- SpaceX To Launch NG-20 To ISS On Tuesday (updated) - Talk of Titusville - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- 'We have doubled the number of nationalities aboard' ISS as all-European SpaceX Ax-3 astronauts dock at space station - Space.com - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- List of SpaceX launches 2024 - Space Explored - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base after series of delays - KABC-TV - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- TPWD Commission withdraws SpaceX land swap item from meeting - MyRGV - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- T-Mobile Reveals Quarterly Results and Discusses SpaceX Partnership - RetailWire - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- SpaceX Set To Launch Starlink 6-38 Early Sunday Evening From KSC - Talk of Titusville - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- NASA Invites Media to First Intuitive Machines, SpaceX Moon Launch - NASA - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Blue Origin and SpaceX start work on cargo versions of crewed lunar landers - SpaceNews - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- SpaceX Delays NG-20 Launch to NET Tuesday 12:07 PM - Talk of Titusville - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Trader Joe's and SpaceX Argue the US Labor Board Is Unconstitutional - Mish Talk - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- SpaceX Appears To Be Flying This Slick Looking 737 - The War Zone - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Estimating SpaceX's 2023 Revenue - Payload - Payload - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- What You Need to Know about NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Mission - NASA - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- US military hopes one day to move supplies, maybe troops, on SpaceX's Starship - Herald Palladium - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Weather Delays Launch of NASAs PACE Mission PACE Mission - NASA Blogs - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- SpaceX rolls out Falcon 9 rocket to launch NASA's ocean-studying PACE satellite on Feb. 8 (photos) - Space.com - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- SpaceX Thursday Falcon 9 Rocket Launch From Vandenberg SFB Delayed Until Friday Due To Weather News Talk ... - 1590 KVTA - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Sonic boom could hit Florida with SpaceX launch of NASA Earth science probe - Tampa Bay Times - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- UPDATE 3: SpaceX launches NASA's PACE satellite with new capabilities to study climate, ocean and atmosphere ... - SatNews - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Ax-3 astronauts leave International Space Station in SpaceX Dragon, eye Friday splashdown - Florida Today - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- NASA, SpaceX, PACE in Florida: Where to watch Earth-science launch - Florida Today - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- SpaceX targeting Feb. 14 for launch of Intuitive Machines IM-1 private moon mission - Space.com - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- The SpaceX Axiom Space Ax-3 mission to the ISS returned to Earth - NPR - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Ax-3 Astronauts Undock in Dragon from Station for Earth Return - NASA Blogs - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Will SpaceX launch two Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral this week? - Florida Today - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches NASA's PACE satellite to study Earth's oceans, air and climate (video) - Space.com - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- SpaceX crew of 4 astronauts to land near Daytona Beach coast Friday morning - Daytona Beach News-Journal - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- List of all SpaceX crewed flights to space - Space Explored - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- NASA Sets Coverage for SpaceX, Intuitive Machines First Moon Mission - NASA - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Texas Billionaire's Push for Land Swap With Elon's SpaceX Is Total Crap - Gizmodo - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- The Secret to SpaceX's $10 Million Starship, and How SpaceX Will Dominate Space for Years to Come - The Motley Fool - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- How to watch SpaceX launch the private Intuitive Machines moon lander IM-1 on Feb. 14 live online - Space.com - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Russia is using SpaceX's Starlink satellite devices in Ukraine, sources say - Defense One - February 12th, 2024 [February 12th, 2024]
- Launch Imminent: SpaceX Mission to the Moon Will Have Embry-Riddle Payload Onboard - ERAU News - February 20th, 2024 [February 20th, 2024]
- SpaceX accepts DOGE, Cardano announces updates as KangaMoon presale thrives - crypto.news - February 20th, 2024 [February 20th, 2024]
- SpaceX to launch Intuitive Machines lander Feb. 15 on 2nd try for NASA's commercial moon program - Space.com - February 20th, 2024 [February 20th, 2024]
- Elon Musk's SpaceX asks to move incorporation from Delaware to Texas - Austin American-Statesman - February 20th, 2024 [February 20th, 2024]
- Amazon Joins Elon Musk's SpaceX In Mission to Destroy Federal Agency Protecting Workers - VICE - February 20th, 2024 [February 20th, 2024]