30.05.2021
Dragon Crew4: Commanding role for ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is expected to serve as International Space Station commander for Expedition 68a, following an in-principle agreement by international partners on 19 May, pending consolidation of the Space Station’s operational plans and launch dates.
As a member of Crew-4, Samantha will be launched with NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines to the Station from Florida, USA, on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2022. This will be Samantha’s second space mission and the experience she brings will stand her in good stead as Europe’s first female in command of a Station expedition.
“Returning to the International Space Station to represent Europe is an honour in itself,” says Samantha. “I am humbled by my appointment to the position of commander and look forward to drawing on the experience I’ve gained in space and on Earth to lead a very capable team in orbit.”
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says, “Samantha’s nomination to the role of International Space Station commander is an inspiration to a whole generation currently applying to join ESA's astronaut corps. I cannot wait to meet the final candidates and I take this opportunity to once again encourage women to apply.”
Choosing a commander
Samantha will be ESA’s fifth International Space Station commander and the fourth from ESA’s astronaut class of 2009.
Decisions around crew assignment and the role each astronaut plays on Station are made in consensus by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), comprising representatives from all five international partners: ESA, US space agency NASA, Russian space agency Roscosmos, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA and the Canadian Space Agency CSA.
ESA astronaut Frank De Winne was the first European commander of the Space Station. He now represents ESA on the MCOP as Head of the European Astronaut Centre and says Samantha’s appointment demonstrates the value placed on ESA astronauts by its international partners.
“Though overall control of the Station lies with flight directors on the ground, the Space Station commander works to foster team spirit amongst the astronauts and between ground and space crews, ensuring all crew members can perform at their best,” explains Frank.
“Samantha proved herself to be a highly competent and trusted leader during NASA’s NEEMO23 mission among other activities. Her experience and attitude make her an asset for ESA and our partners and I know she will serve us proudly during her time in space.”
A role model for new recruits
Access the video
Samantha’s nomination comes at a significant moment for European nationals of all genders, as ESA issues a rare call for new astronauts. The deadline for applications to ESA’s astronaut selection has just been extended to 18 June 2021, to accommodate the addition of Lithuania as an ESA Associate Member.
Samantha joined the European astronaut corps during ESA’s last recruitment campaign in 2008/9 and ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker says her trajectory is an example of the opportunities available to applicants today.
“Samantha joined us just over a decade ago as a highly capable recruit. Now she is a veteran space flyer taking on a leading role.
“Like a number of our active astronauts, Samantha balances a demanding career with raising a family. She embraces both of these challenges with ESA’s strong support and has been an advocate for all those who might be considering a career as an astronaut to put themselves forward and apply.
“I am delighted to see Samantha’s skills, experience and hard work recognised through her appointment to International Space Station commander position. I have no doubt she will continue to inspire us to embrace challenge, maximise our abilities and further our knowledge in space or on Earth,” he says.
Quelle: ESA
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Update: 10.09.2021
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SpaceX, NASA targeting April 15 for launch of Crew-4 mission to space station
Crew-4 will carry four astronauts to the station for a six-month stay
SpaceX's Crew-2 Crew Dragon Endeavour arrives at the International Space Station with four astronauts aboard in a smooth docking on April 24, 2021 one day after launching into orbit. (Image credit: NASA TV)
Here's something to make the next Tax Day a little more bearable.
SpaceX and NASA are targeting April 15, 2022, for the launch of the Crew-4mission to the International Space Station, agency officials announced yesterday(Sept. 7). If all goes according to plan, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule will launch that day atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.
The Crew Dragon will be carrying NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Robert Hines and the European Space Agency's Samantha Cristoforetti, as well as a fourth crewmember who has not yet been named.
As its name suggests, Crew-4 will be the fourth contracted space station mission with astronauts that SpaceX flies for NASA. The first of these six-month stints, Crew-1, is in the books; it launched in November 2020 and returned to Earth this past May. Crew-2 launched in April and is scheduled to wrap up in early November. SpaceX and NASA are targeting Oct. 31 for Crew-3's liftoff.
(SpaceX also launched two NASA astronauts to the space station in May 2020. That two-month test mission, known as Demo-2, was SpaceX's first-ever crewed spaceflight, and its success paved the way for operational missions.)
SpaceX has another crewed mission on the docket before Crew-3 — the private Inspiration4 flight, which is scheduled to launch from KSC on Sept. 15. Inspiration4 will send Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Christopher Sembroski into orbit on a Crew Dragon, which will circle Earth solo for three days, then come back down for a parachute-aided splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.
Quelle: SC
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Update: 8.12.2021
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First European female ISS commander starts preparation for flight in Russia
Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti who will be the first European woman to command the International Space Station (ISS) has already started her preparation for the flight, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told a meeting of the Russia-Italy committee of entrepreneurs on Monday.
"Currently, the first female European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has been training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. As far as I know, she can lead the next Expedition 68 on the ISS. I sincerely wish success to this space mission," he said.
Before the flight, all astronauts study the Russian segment of the station, and the cosmonauts of Roscosmos (Russia’s State Space Corporation) study the American one.
This space mission will be the second for Cristoforetti. It was reported that NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Robert Hines are set to go with her. The launch of the Crew Dragon manned spacecraft of SpaceX with a crew on board is to take place from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida in 2022. Cristoforetti will be the fifth ISS commander from Europe in history.
Quelle: TASS
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Update: 19.12.2021
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Astronaut Cristoforetti: key task of ISS commander is to look out for crew safety
The ISS crew commander must be ready for any challenges and bear the responsibility for the safety of the crew in an emergency, Samantha Cristoforetti, a European Space Agency astronaut that will lead a mission to the space outpost, said in an interview with TASS on Tuesday.
"Compared to the previous flight, when I did not have the responsibilities of a commander, this time I need to have a broader view of the situation," she said. "I must be even more focused and ready for any challenges that could face me, my colleagues on the ISS and the team on Earth in order to resolve any problem before it can become a security threat or an obstacle to our work."
The challenges could be organizational, personal or associated with relationships, being worn out or communication problems, she said.
"Challenges of a purely technical nature arise rarely because we are well trained in this sense and have all the necessary resources to carry out our assignments," she said.
If an emergency erupts onboard, she as the commander would be in charge of the procedures to ensure crew safety and saving the space outpost, she said.
Earlier, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said that Cristoforetti was undergoing training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. Before the flight, all astronauts study the Russian segment of the station, while the Russian cosmonauts study the US segment.
The launch of the mission, also consisting of NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins, aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon is scheduled for the spring of 2022 from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Cristoforetti is the first European female astronaut to lead a mission to the ISS. This flight will be her second.
Quelle: TASS
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Update: 4.02.2022
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NASA, SpaceX to Provide Update on Crew-4 Space Station Mission
NASA and SpaceX will hold a joint media teleconference at noon EST Friday, Feb. 4, to provide an update on progress toward the agency’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station. Targeted to launch April 15, Crew-4 will carry an international crew of four astronauts to the microgravity laboratory for a six-month stay.
Audio of the teleconference will stream live online at:
Participants in the briefing include:
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate
- Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
- Joel Montalbano, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
- William Gerstenmaier, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
To participate in the teleconference, media must contact: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov no later than one hour prior to the event for dial-in information.
Crew-4 will be the fourth crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human space transportation system and its fifth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission will launch on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Quelle: NASA
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Update: 6.02.2022
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NASA and SpaceX investigating parachute issue on Dragon spacecraft; Crew-4 launch still on target
NASA and SpaceX continue to investigate the cause of delayed parachute openings on Dragon spacecraft, a phenomenon that hasn't crossed any safety thresholds and so far will not delay the next crewed launch.
Agency and company officials on Friday confirmed teams are investigating the parachute deployment process on both cargo and crewed versions of the Dragon spacecraft, the former of which most recently splashed down Jan. 24 after a resupply run to the International Space Station. They confirmed the capsule's fourth parachute lagged in its deployment and marked the second time such an issue surfaced during a Dragon re-entry.
The next Crew Dragon mission, slated to fly from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A on April 15, will take astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti, Robert Hines, Kjell Lindgren, and Jessica Watkins to the ISS. Officials said that mission is still looking at an on-time liftoff and the investigation is more about understanding and less about safety impacts.
The first lagging parachute phenomenon was seen in November when four astronauts flying the Crew-2 mission returned from the ISS and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials and spectators alike were able to see the fourth parachute's slow deployment on the live webcast. NASA and SpaceX proceeded to launch Crew-3 with four more astronauts just two days after the Gulf of Mexico splashdown.
Dragon has a total of four massive parachutes used to slow down the capsule just above the water's surface. Officials said crews can safely land on three as the fourth offers additional safety margin, but that so far hasn't been the case as the fourth did finally deploy in both instances.
Crew Dragon splashes down just off the coast of Florida, bringing an end to the Inspiration4 mission on Sept. 18, 2021. SPACEX
A SpaceX representative told reporters Friday the raw data pulled from Dragon showed ideal descent rates. In other words, the lagging fourth chute had no impact on the speed of descent.
"If we didn't have the video, you wouldn't even know this was occurring," William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX's vice president of build and flight reliability, told reporters Friday. "Even though the system is operating correctly, we're not happy with that. We're going to keep looking and see if we can better understand how the system better operates and understand where the weaknesses are so we can have a safer system for crews moving forward."
NASA's Steve Stich, manager of the agency's Commercial Crew Program, said a few theories are currently in the works. It's possible the first three parachutes operate so effectively that their aerodynamics affect the fourth's ability to fully inflate.
"Aerodynamically, three of the canopies may sort of shade, if you will, one of the other canopies and then it just struggles to inflate at times," Stich said. "It is interesting to us that we saw it on two back-to-back missions, so we're taking the extra time to continue to look at the system."
"So far, we don't see anything that looks strange in any of the imagery or off-nominal," he said.
Parachutes have been challenging aerospace engineers for more than a half century. Going back to the Apollo program, capsules then were also designed to safely return with crews even if one parachute was out of service.
Quelle: Florida Today
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Update: 6.03.2022
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Revised flight plan brings change for Samantha
In brief
In May 2021 it was announced that ESA astronaut and Dragon Crew-4 mission specialist Samantha Cristoforetti would serve as Commander of International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 68a.
As part of normal vehicle scheduling, the Space Station flight programme was recently updated adjusting the upcoming crew rotation for Crew-4 and Crew-5, resulting in a shorter mission for Crew-4. ISS Expedition 68 will now take place after Samantha’s departure from the Station.
In-depth
Throughout her time on board, Samantha will have the role of lead of the United States Orbital Segment (USOS), which includes the US, European, Japanese and Canadian modules and components of the Space Station.
Setting the schedule
Crew members are assigned to flight opportunities and International Space Station roles by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). This panel is made up of representatives from ESA, NASA, Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). ESA is represented by Head of the European Astronaut Centre Frank De Winne.
Frank says it is not unusual for the flight programme to be adjusted, since traffic to the International Space Station must be carefully coordinated based on operational needs.
“While this means Samantha will no longer be International Space Station commander, the Panel stands by its endorsement of her as a leader. She will continue to be fully trained for the commander position and it is agreed that, should the schedule revert to the initial one, she would step into this role,” he adds.
Samantha says, “As crewmembers, we are ready to contribute as needed. I am humbled to serve as USOS lead and this role includes most of the duties I would have had as commander, but I also recognise that many people in Europe, especially women, were inspired by the perspective of having the first European female ISS commander. I regret that this will not happen on my flight, but we are in the process of selecting a new class of astronauts and I am confident that this class will include highly competent and driven women who will be ready, in the not-so-distant future, to fulfil leadership roles.”
ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker says Samantha’s appointment to USOS Lead stands testament to the qualities she brings to the Station.
“As a second-time flier and competent leader, Samantha’s knowledge, calm demeanour and previous experience in orbit are a real asset to the crew. She is an excellent role model for those currently participating in ESA’s astronaut selection process, particularly for our female applicants, as they seek to represent Europe in space.”
Quelle: ESA
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N° 7–2022: Call for media: accreditation for Crew-4 launch with Samantha Cristoforetti
NASA has opened media accreditation for the launch of SpaceX Crew-4 to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. This crew includes ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
The launch of the Crew Dragon capsule, on a Falcon 9 rocket, is targeted for no earlier than Friday, 15 April. It is the fourth crew rotation flight for Crew Dragon and will see ESA’s Samantha Cristoforetti travel to space for the second time.
During the journey to orbit, Samantha will serve as Mission Specialist alongside three NASA astronauts – Mission Commander Kjell Lindgren, Pilot Robert Hines and fellow Mission Specialist Jessica Watkins.
Once on board the Space Station, Samantha’s ESA mission, known as ‘Minerva’, will officially begin. Throughout this mission she will serve as USOS Lead, responsible for all operations within the US orbital segment.
This is a long-duration mission, during which Samantha and her Crew-4 crewmates will conduct science, research and operations on the Space Station as members of ISS Expedition 67.
The Crew-4 astronauts are expected to have a brief handover with Crew-3, already on the Station. This includes ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer who was launched to the Station on 11 November 2021 for his Cosmic Kiss mission. Crew-3 is scheduled to return to Earth in late April.
ESA will not be organising a media trip on this occasion. However, a limited number of international media are welcome to attend the launch in Florida. Media accreditation and any questions should be directed to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Quelle: ESA
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Update: 8.03.2022
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NASA Invites Media to Next SpaceX Commercial Crew Space Station Launch
Media accreditation now is open for the launch of the fourth SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The earliest targeted launch date for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission is Friday, April 15, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch will carry three NASA astronauts – Mission Commander Kjell Lindgren, Pilot Robert Hines, and Mission Specialist Jessica Watkins, to the space station – as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who will serve as a mission specialist. This is the first spaceflight for Hines and Watkins. It is the second trip for Lindgren and Cristoforetti.
Following a crew handover period, astronauts from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission are scheduled for return to Earth in April aboard their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance.
Media accreditation deadlines for Crew-4 launch are as follows:
- U.S. media and U.S. citizens representing international media must apply by 4 p.m. EDT Sunday, March 20.
- International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13.
All accreditation requests should be submitted online at:
COVID-19 safety protocols for this event will be communicated closer to the date of the event. For questions about accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
If you have special logistical requests, such as space for satellite trucks, tents, or electrical connections, please send your request to: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov by Friday, April 1.
For other questions, please contact Kennedy’s newsroom: at 321-867-2468.
Quelle: NASA
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Update: 4.04.2022
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NASA to Host Briefings, Interviews for Agency’s SpaceX Crew-4 Mission
Editor’s note: This advisory was updated March 30 to update the participants for the mission overview news conference and the start time for the crew interview opportunities.
A pair of news conferences on Thursday, March 31, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will highlight the agency’s upcoming SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station. The mission will be NASA’s latest crew rotation flight involving a U.S. commercial spacecraft carrying astronauts.
The agency will hold a mission overview news conference at 10:30 a.m. EDT and a crew news conference at noon. Both news conferences will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The mission’s crew also will be available for interviews after 2 p.m.
The Crew-4 mission will carry NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, and Jessica Watkins, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. The Falcon 9 rocket bearing the Crew Dragon capsule is scheduled to launch Tuesday, April 19, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This event will be the final media opportunity to speak to the Crew-4 astronauts before they travel to Kennedy for launch. Media wishing to participate in the briefings in person or seeking a remote interview with the crew must request credentials from the Johnson newsroom at: 281-483-5111 or jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov no later than noon Wednesday, March 30. Media interested in participating by phone must contact the Johnson newsroom by 9:45 a.m. Thursday, March 31. Those wishing to submit a question on social media may do so using #askNASA.
Briefing participants include:
10:30 a.m. Mission Overview News Conference
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Johnson
- Dana Weigel, deputy manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program, Johnson
- Jessica Jensen, vice president, customer operations and integration, SpaceX
- Frank De Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA
Noon Crew News Conference
- Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut, spacecraft commander
- Bob Hines, NASA astronaut, pilot
- Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut, mission specialist
- Samantha Cristoforetti, ESA astronaut, mission specialist
2 p.m. Crew Interview Opportunities
- Crew-4 astronauts will be available for a limited number of interviews
This will be Lindgren’s second spaceflight since becoming an astronaut in 2009. As mission commander, he will be responsible for all phases of flight, from launch to re-entry. He will serve as an Expedition 67 flight engineer aboard the station.
The mission will be Hines’ first flight since his selection as an astronaut in 2017. As pilot, he will be responsible for spacecraft systems and performance. Aboard the station, he will serve as an Expedition 67 flight engineer.
Watkins will be making her first trip to space, and as a mission specialist she will work closely with the commander and pilot to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and re-entry phases of flight. Once aboard the station, she will become a flight engineer for Expedition 67.
Cristoforetti will be making her second trip to space, and will also serve as a mission specialist, working to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and re-entry phases of flight. She will be a flight engineer for Expedition 67.
Quelle: NASA
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Update: 8.04.2022
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SpaceX's Crew-4 astronaut mission delayed a day to April 21
April 23 is also an option.
Crew-4 astronauts Jessica Watkins, Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren and Samantha Cristoforetti on the Crew Dragon "Freedom." (Image credit: SpaceX)
The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will have to cool their heels here on Earth for at least one extra day.
The launch of Crew-4 had been scheduled for April 20. But it'll now lift off no earlier than April 21, and NASA and SpaceX are also considering the backup date of April 23 as an option, Kathy Lueders, the agency's human spaceflight chief, announced today (April 6).
"The additional spacing provides mission teams time to complete final prelaunch processing for Crew-4 following the launch of the Axiom Mission 1 to the space station. We’re taking each mission step-by-step to ensure we are moving forward safely," Lueders wrote on Twitter today(opens in new tab).
Axiom Mission 1, or Ax-1 for short, is another crewed SpaceX flight. Ax-1, which was organized by Houston company Axiom Space, will send three paying customers and Axiom employee Michael López-Alegría to the ISS for an eight-day stay. López-Alegría, a former NASA astronaut, is commanding the mission.
Ax-1 is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Friday (April 8). Like Crew-4, it will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule and lift off from KSC's Pad 39A.
There are significant differences between the two flights, however. SpaceX is flying Crew-4 for NASA, and the crewmembers are all government astronauts — NASA's Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines and Jessica Watkins and the European Space Agency's Samantha Cristoforetti. Crew-4 will also be a much longer mission than Ax-1, spending months at the orbiting lab.
KSC is a real hotbed of activity these days. In addition to the coming Ax-1 and Crew-4 launches, the facility's Pad 39B is hosting the "wet dress rehearsal" of NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission.
This crucial prelaunch test began last Friday (April 1) and was supposed to wrap up on Sunday (April 3), but the Artemis 1 team ran into a few problems that delayed and ultimately halted activities. The mission team plans to resume the rehearsal shortly after Ax-1 lifts off.
Quelle: SC
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Update: 15.04.2022
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SpaceX's Crew-4 astronaut mission delayed again, to April 23
The two-day pushback will allow greater launch preparation, NASA says.
Crew-4 astronauts Jessica Watkins, Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren and Samantha Cristoforetti on the Crew Dragon "Freedom." (Image credit: SpaceX)
The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station have had their launch pushed back again, to April 23.
SpaceX and NASA chose that date "to complete final prelaunch processing," agency officials said in a statement Tuesday (April 12). NASA said last week that April 23 was a backup option, after the mission was delayed a day from April 20 to April 21.
"The Crew-4 date also provides three consecutive launch opportunities with backups on Sunday, April 24, and Monday, April 25," NASA added in the new statement.
NASA said that the extra time was added following the April 8 launch of the all-private Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station, which was carried out by SpaceX from the same pad that Crew-4 will use — 39A, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.
NASA officials have already alluded to the logistics required to get the launch pad ready for another Falcon 9 liftoff in relatively short order. (Like Ax-1, Crew-4 will lift off atop SpaceX's workhorse rocket.)
KSC has been busy lately in terms of launch preparations. Just down the road from Pad 39A, Pad 39B is currently hosting the "wet dress rehearsal" of NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission.
The testing has been modified several times, and ultimately scaled back, due to ongoing technical problems. The procedures were temporarily halted to allow for the launch of Ax-1, and then resumed. The next major stage of the test, which includes fueling up the core stage of Artemis 1's Space Launch System rocket and conducting several practice countdowns, is expected to take place on Thursday (April 14).
NASA hopes to send Artemis 1 on a round-the-moon uncrewed mission this summer to prepare for the rest of the moon program, which includes a crewed mission around the moon for Artemis 2 in 2024 and a landing mission for Artemis 3 in 2025 or 2026.
Quelle: SC
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Update: 16.04.2022
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Coverage Set for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 Briefing, Events, Broadcast
NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission sending astronauts to the International Space Station.
The launch is targeted for 5:26 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 23, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, dubbed by Crew-4 as Freedom, is scheduled to dock to the space station at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 24.
Prelaunch activities, along with launch and docking will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.
The Crew-4 flight will carry Mission Commander Kjell Lindgren, Pilot Bob Hines, and Mission Specialist Jessica Watkins, all of NASA, and Mission Specialist Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency), to the space station for a science expedition in microgravity.
The mission is the fourth crew rotation to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket and the fifth SpaceX flight with NASA astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight in 2020 to the space station, as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
All media participation in the following news conferences will be virtual except where specifically listed below.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):
Friday, April 15
5 p.m. (approximately) – Flight readiness review media teleconference at Kennedy (no earlier than one hour after completion of the review) with the following participants:
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy
- Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
- Zeb Scoville, flight director, Flight Operations Directorate, Johnson
- Jared Metter, director, Flight Reliability, SpaceX
- Frank De Winne, program manager, International Space Station, ESA
Media may ask questions via phone only. The teleconference audio will stream on nasa.gov/live. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 4 p.m. Friday, April 15, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Monday, April 18
12:30 p.m. (approximately) – Crew arrival media event at Kennedy on the NASA Television Media Channel with the following participants (limited to previously confirmed in-person media only):
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Janet Petro, director, Kennedy Space Center
- Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA
- NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren
- NASA astronaut Bob Hines
- NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins
- ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
No teleconference option is available for this event.
Tuesday, April 19
6:30 a.m. – Virtual crew media engagement at Kennedy with Crew-4 astronauts on NASA Television:
- NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren
- NASA astronaut Bob Hines
- NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins
- ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than one hour prior to the start of event at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Thursday, April 21
9:30 p.m. (approximately) – Prelaunch news teleconference at Kennedy (no earlier than one hour after completion of the launch readiness review) with the following participants:
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy
- Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson
- Zeb Scoville, flight director, Flight Operations Directorate, Johnson
- Jessica Jensen, vice president, customer operations and integration, SpaceX
- Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA
- Arlena Moses, launch weather officer, U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron
Media may ask questions via phone only. The teleconference audio will stream on nasa.gov/live. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 8:30 p.m. on April 21 at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Friday, April 22
10 a.m. – NASA Administrator Media Briefing on NASA Television with the following participants:
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
- NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Kirt Costello, chief scientist, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson
- Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA
- NASA Astronaut
Media may ask questions in-person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 9 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Saturday, April 23
1:45 a.m. – NASA Television launch commentary coverage begins
5:26 a.m. – Launch
7 a.m. (approximately) - Postlaunch news conference on NASA Television
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
- Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson
- Jessica Jensen, vice president, customer operations and integration, SpaceX
- Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA
Media may ask questions in-person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Sunday, April 24
6 a.m.– Docking
7:50 a.m. – Hatch Opening
8:15 a.m. – Welcome Ceremony from the International Space Station with the following participants:
- Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Josef Aschbacher, director general, ESA
NASA TV Launch Coverage
NASA TV live coverage will begin at 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:
Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, -1260 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio," countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135.
NASA Website Launch Coverage
Launch day coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission will be available on the agency’s website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
Launch also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz and UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz, FM mode, heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast.
Attend the launch virtually
Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch.
Quelle: NASA
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Update: 20.04.2022
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NASA Crew-4 astronauts arrive at KSC for SpaceX's next ISS launch
The four astronauts slated to fly NASA and SpaceX's next crewed mission arrived at Kennedy Space Center on Monday, kicking off a series of preparations ahead of liftoff this weekend.
NASA's Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and the European Space Agency's Samantha Cristoforetti touched down at the former Shuttle Landing Facility just after lunchtime in a NASA-owned private jet. Their next ride will be a Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to take flight at 5:26 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 23.
"It's an amazing time to be a part of human spaceflight," Lindgren, Crew-4's mission commander, told reporters during a post-landing briefing.
"As we were coming in for landing, we had the opportunity to take a look at (pad 39A) and right next to our pad, the Space Launch System rocket is sitting there," he said of NASA's new moon rocket on the pad for testing.
Lindgren also recounted the recent launch of Axiom-1 and its fully private mission to the ISS, which is slated for splashdown off the Florida coast no earlier than 7:19 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 20. NASA officials said this weekend's Crew-4 launch is contingent on a safe and successful Axiom return.
"We've been training for many, many months and we're starting to see all those boxes getting checked off. It's very exciting now to have this box checked off," Lindgren said.
Quelle: Florida Today