SpaceX Crew-8: Difference between revisions
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| COSPAR_ID = <!-- Wikidata --> |
| COSPAR_ID = <!-- Wikidata --> |
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| SATCAT = <!-- Wikidata --> |
| SATCAT = <!-- Wikidata --> |
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| mission_duration = {{time interval|4 March 2024 03:53:38||show= |
| mission_duration = {{time interval|4 March 2024 03:53:38|25 October 2024 07:29:02|show=dhm|sep=,}} |
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| distance_travelled = {{Convert|100|e6mi|abbr=unit}} |
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| orbits_completed = 3,760 |
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| spacecraft = {{ComV|SpaceX Crew Dragon|Endeavour|full=nolink}} |
| spacecraft = {{ComV|SpaceX Crew Dragon|Endeavour|full=nolink}} |
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| spacecraft_type = {{ComV|SpaceX Crew Dragon}} |
| spacecraft_type = {{ComV|SpaceX Crew Dragon}} |
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| crew_size = 4 |
| crew_size = 4 |
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| crew_members = {{Ubl|[[Matthew Dominick]]|[[Michael Barratt (astronaut)|Michael Barratt]]|[[Jeanette Epps]]|[[Alexander Grebenkin]]}} |
| crew_members = {{Ubl|[[Matthew Dominick]]|[[Michael Barratt (astronaut)|Michael Barratt]]|[[Jeanette Epps]]|[[Alexander Grebenkin]]}} |
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| crew_expedition = [[Expedition 70]] |
| crew_expedition = [[Expedition 70]]/[[Expedition 71|71]]/[[Expedition 72|72]] |
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| launch_date = {{Start date|4 March 2024, 03:53:38|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}[[UTC]] (3{{nbsp}}March, 10:53:38{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Standard Time|EST]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crew-8 Launch to Dock Summary Timeline |url= https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/crew-8-launch-to-dock-summary-timeline-0304.pdf?emrc=cc9091 |access-date=31 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Parra |first1=Marissa |last2=Cohen |first2=Rebecca |date=4 March 2024 |title=SpaceX, NASA successfully launch manned Crew-8 mission to International Space Station |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/spacex-nasa-successfully-launch-manned-crew-8-mission-international-sp-rcna141584 |work=[[NBC News]] |location=Cape Canaveral, Florida |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> |
| launch_date = {{Start date|4 March 2024, 03:53:38|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}[[UTC]] (3{{nbsp}}March, 10:53:38{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Standard Time|EST]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crew-8 Launch to Dock Summary Timeline |url= https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/crew-8-launch-to-dock-summary-timeline-0304.pdf?emrc=cc9091 |access-date=31 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Parra |first1=Marissa |last2=Cohen |first2=Rebecca |date=4 March 2024 |title=SpaceX, NASA successfully launch manned Crew-8 mission to International Space Station |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/spacex-nasa-successfully-launch-manned-crew-8-mission-international-sp-rcna141584 |work=[[NBC News]] |location=Cape Canaveral, Florida |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> |
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| launch_rocket = [[Falcon 9 Block 5]] ([[List of Falcon 9 first-stage boosters#B1083|B1083.1]]), [[List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches#F9-305|Flight 305]] |
| launch_rocket = [[Falcon 9 Block 5]] ([[List of Falcon 9 first-stage boosters#B1083|B1083.1]]), [[List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches#F9-305|Flight 305]] |
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| launch_site = [[Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy]], [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC{{nbhyph}}39A]] |
| launch_site = [[Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy]], [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC{{nbhyph}}39A]] |
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| recovery_by = {{MV|Megan |
| recovery_by = {{MV|Megan}} |
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| landing_date = |
| landing_date = 25 October 2024, 07:29:02{{nbsp}}UTC (3:29:02{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]) |
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| landing_site = [[ |
| landing_site = [[Gulf of Mexico]], near [[Pensacola, Florida]] ({{Coord|29|48|40|N|87|33|25|W}}) |
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| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]] |
| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]] |
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| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]] |
| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]] |
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| docking_port = ''Harmony'' zenith |
| docking_port = ''Harmony'' zenith |
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| docking_date = 2 May 2024, 13:46{{nbsp}}UTC |
| docking_date = 2 May 2024, 13:46{{nbsp}}UTC |
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| undocking_date = |
| undocking_date = 23 October 2024, 21:05{{nbsp}}UTC |
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| time_docked = {{time interval|2 May 2024 13:46||show=dhm |
| time_docked = {{time interval|2 May 2024 13:46|23 October 2024 21:05|show=dhm}} |
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}} |
}} |
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| insignia = SpaceX Crew-8 logo.png |
| insignia = SpaceX Crew-8 logo.png |
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'''SpaceX Crew-8''' |
'''SpaceX Crew-8''' was the eighth crewed operational NASA [[Commercial Crew Program|Commercial Crew]] flight and the 13th overall crewed orbital flight of a [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Crew Dragon]] spacecraft. The mission launched on 4 March 2024. |
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The Crew-8 mission transported four crew members to the [[International Space Station]] (ISS). Three [[NASA]] astronauts, [[Matthew Dominick]], [[Michael Barratt (astronaut)|Michael Barratt]], and [[Jeanette Epps]], and one [[Roscosmos]] cosmonaut, [[Alexander Grebenkin]], were assigned to the mission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=What You Need to Know about NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Mission – NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/commercial-crew/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-8-mission/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2024 |title=NASA Astronaut from Syracuse is ready for liftoff |url=https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2024-01-30/nasa-astronaut-from-syracuse-is-ready-for-liftoff |access-date=1 February 2024 |website=WXXI News |language=en}}</ref> |
The Crew-8 mission transported four crew members to the [[International Space Station]] (ISS). Three [[NASA]] astronauts, [[Matthew Dominick]], [[Michael Barratt (astronaut)|Michael Barratt]], and [[Jeanette Epps]], and one [[Roscosmos]] cosmonaut, [[Alexander Grebenkin]], were assigned to the mission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=What You Need to Know about NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Mission – NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/commercial-crew/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-8-mission/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2024 |title=NASA Astronaut from Syracuse is ready for liftoff |url=https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2024-01-30/nasa-astronaut-from-syracuse-is-ready-for-liftoff |access-date=1 February 2024 |website=WXXI News |language=en}}</ref> |
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== Mission == |
== Mission == |
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Crew-8 |
Crew-8 was the eighth SpaceX operational mission in the [[Commercial Crew Program]] and the 13th overall crewed orbital flight of a [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Crew Dragon]] spacecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2024 |title=NASA, SpaceX Target NET Feb. 22 to Launch Crew-8 – NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Mission |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/crew-8/2024/01/31/nasa-spacex-target-net-feb-22-to-launch-crew-8/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |website=blogs.nasa.gov |language=en-US}}</ref> The mission launched at 3:53:38{{nbsp}}[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 4{{nbsp}}March 2024 (3{{nbsp}}March, 10:53:38{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Standard Time|EST]], local time at the launch site).<ref>{{cite web |title=NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/event/nasas-spacex-crew-8-launch/ |website=NASA}}</ref> SpaceX sent the 50th astronaut on this Crew Dragon launch.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1764503795965567106 |user=SpaceX |title=50 crewmembers launched and counting! Earlier tonight, Crew-8 signed the White Room at the end of the crew access arm ahead of boarding Dragon and liftoff |author=SpaceX |author-link=SpaceX |date= |access-date=}}</ref> |
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The first launch attempt, the day prior was scrubbed at T−03:25:38 due to elevated winds in offshore areas of the flight path.<ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=28 February 2024 |title=SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to March 2 due to bad weather |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-8-astronaut-launch-delay-march-2-2024 |work=Space.com |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=NASA Commercial Crew |author-link=Commercial Crew Program |user=Commercial_Crew |number=1763078294931468399 |date=29 February 2024 |title=Teams with @NASA and @SpaceX now are targeting March 2 for the launch of the agency's #Crew8 mission to @Space_Station due to unfavorable weather conditions in offshore areas along the flight track of the Dragon spacecraft |language=en |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=3 March 2024 |title=SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA due to high winds, next try on March 3 |
The first launch attempt, the day prior was scrubbed at T−03:25:38 due to elevated winds in offshore areas of the flight path.<ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=28 February 2024 |title=SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA to March 2 due to bad weather |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-8-astronaut-launch-delay-march-2-2024 |work=Space.com |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=NASA Commercial Crew |author-link=Commercial Crew Program |user=Commercial_Crew |number=1763078294931468399 |date=29 February 2024 |title=Teams with @NASA and @SpaceX now are targeting March 2 for the launch of the agency's #Crew8 mission to @Space_Station due to unfavorable weather conditions in offshore areas along the flight track of the Dragon spacecraft |language=en |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=3 March 2024 |title=SpaceX delays Crew-8 astronaut launch for NASA due to high winds, next try on March 3 |
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[[File:Crew Dragon temporary seat.jpg|thumb|upright|Temporary seat structures built and installed on the Crew Dragon using foam, straps, and other station soft goods such as cushions.]] |
[[File:Crew Dragon temporary seat.jpg|thumb|upright|Temporary seat structures built and installed on the Crew Dragon using foam, straps, and other station soft goods such as cushions.]] |
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The [[Boeing Crew Flight Test]] mission docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024 after experiencing anomalies with its thrusters. Its crew of two remained on the ISS for an extended stay, while NASA and Boeing evaluated the problems. NASA decided that the uncertainties were too high to have the crew return to Earth on Starliner, so NASA sent the Crew-9 mission to the ISS with a crew of two, and the Starliner crew will then return to Earth with Crew-9 in February 2025, while Starliner undocked from the ISS and made a successful uncrewed return to Earth in September 2024. This was necessary because the ISS has only two IDSS ports shared between Dragon and Starliner. However, each ISS crewmember needs a contingency "lifeboat" in the event of an ISS emergency, and uncrewed undocking of the Starliner would leave its crew without a lifeboat. Therefore, NASA directed the crews to install two extra crew positions in the cargo area of the Crew-8 capsule to provide the lifeboat function after Starliner undocks and before Crew-9 docked.<ref name=cft/> Until Crew-9 arrived, they moved to SpaceX Crew-8, their temporary [[emergency evacuation]] spacecraft, and subsequently to Crew-9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mark |date=2024-09-04 |title=Crew Studies Space Effects on Humans, Prepares Spaceships for Departure |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2024/09/04/crew-studies-space-effects-on-humans-prepares-spaceships-for-departure/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=blogs.nasa.gov |language=en-US}}</ref> |
The [[Boeing Crew Flight Test]] mission docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024 after experiencing anomalies with its thrusters. Its crew of two remained on the ISS for an unplanned extended stay, while NASA and Boeing evaluated the problems. NASA decided that the uncertainties were too high to have the crew return to Earth on Starliner, so NASA sent the Crew-9 mission to the ISS with a crew of two, and the Starliner crew will then return to Earth with Crew-9 in February 2025, while Starliner undocked from the ISS and made a successful uncrewed return to Earth in September 2024. This was necessary because the ISS has only two IDSS ports shared between Dragon and Starliner. However, each ISS crewmember needs a contingency "lifeboat" in the event of an ISS emergency, and uncrewed undocking of the Starliner would leave its crew without a lifeboat. Therefore, NASA directed the crews to install two extra crew positions in the cargo area of the Crew-8 capsule to provide the lifeboat function after Starliner undocks and before Crew-9 docked.<ref name=cft/> Until Crew-9 arrived, they moved to SpaceX Crew-8, their temporary [[emergency evacuation]] spacecraft, and subsequently to Crew-9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mark |date=2024-09-04 |title=Crew Studies Space Effects on Humans, Prepares Spaceships for Departure |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2024/09/04/crew-studies-space-effects-on-humans-prepares-spaceships-for-departure/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=blogs.nasa.gov |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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===Mission duration=== |
===Mission duration=== |
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Crew-8 was originally planned to return to Earth in early August after a nominal 180-day mission, but the mission was extended several times. It was extended initially as NASA investigated the CFT situation, and extended again to provide the lifeboat function while Boeing worked to reconfigure Starliner to perform the uncrewed return. The overlap after Crew-9 arrived was slightly longer than usual to allow time to reconfigure Crew-8 and Crew-9 as the Starliner astronauts moved to Crew-9 |
Crew-8 was originally planned to return to Earth in early August after a nominal 180-day mission, but the mission was extended several times. It was extended initially as NASA investigated the CFT situation, and extended again to provide the lifeboat function while Boeing worked to reconfigure Starliner to perform the uncrewed return. The NASA maximum mission time for Crew Dragon is ordinarily 210 days, but NASA extended it to 240 days for this mission. The overlap after Crew-9 arrived was slightly longer than usual to allow time to reconfigure Crew-8 and Crew-9 as the Starliner astronauts moved to Crew-9. The return of Crew-8 was delayed for several additional weeks due to poor weather conditions in the splashdown zones surrounding Florida caused by [[Hurricane Milton]] and several other storms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wulfeck |first=Andrew |date=2024-10-19 |title=SpaceX’s Crew-8 prepare to depart space station after weeks of weather delays |url=https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/spacex-crew-status-weather |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=FOX Weather |language=en-US}}</ref> The cumulative delays caused Crew-8 to become the longest Dragon mission. |
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=== Landing === |
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Crew-8 undocked from the ISS on 23 October 2024 at 21:05{{nbsp}}UTC. After a completing 3,760 orbits and traveling nearly {{Convert|100|e6mi|abbr=off|sp=us}}, ''Endeavour'' began its entry back into the Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], near [[Pensacola, Florida]] on 25 October 2024 at 07:29:02{{nbsp}}UTC (3:29:02{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]], local time at the landing site).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taveau |first=Jessica |date=2024-10-25 |title=Back on Earth: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Mission Splashes Down Off Florida |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/back-on-earth-nasas-spacex-crew-8-mission-splashes-down-off-florida/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=NASA |language=en-US}}</ref> The capsule taken aboard the recovery ship {{MV|Megan}}. After the crew exited the spacecraft, they were taken into the ship's onboard medical treatment facility for evaluations. After that check-up, NASA flew all of the crew members to the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola by helicopter for additional evaluation. One astronaut was hospitalized, but NASA declined to provide the individual's condition or identity. NASA said that the entry and splashdown was normal and the recovery of the crew and the spacecraft was without incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mark |date=2024-10-25 |title=NASA Provides Update on Agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 Health |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2024/10/25/nasa-provides-update-on-agencys-spacex-crew-8-health/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=NASA |language=en-US}}</ref> The astronaut was released from the hospital the following day and was said to be in "good health".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2024-10-25 |title=Astronaut released from hospital after “medical issue” upon return from space |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/astronaut-hospitalized-after-returning-from-235-day-space-mission/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Gallery == |
== Gallery == |
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|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Crew Walkout (NHQ202403030002).jpg |
|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Crew Walkout (NHQ202403030002).jpg |
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|Crew-8 astronauts at the [[Operations and Checkout Building|O&C Building]] |
|Crew-8 astronauts at the [[Operations and Checkout Building|O&C Building]] |
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|alt1= |
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|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Preflight (NHQ202402270039).jpg |
|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Preflight (NHQ202402270039).jpg |
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|{{ComV|Crew Dragon|Endeavour|full=nolink}} sits atop its Falcon 9 rocket on [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] |
|{{ComV|Crew Dragon|Endeavour|full=nolink}} sits atop its Falcon 9 rocket on [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] |
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|alt2= |
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|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Launch (NHQ202403030014) (cropped).jpg |
|NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Launch (NHQ202403030014) (cropped).jpg |
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|Crew Dragon ''Endeavour'' lifts off from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] |
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|Iss070e106398.jpg|Crew Dragon ''Endeavour'' approaching the [[International Space Station |
|Iss070e106398.jpg|Crew Dragon ''Endeavour'' approaching the [[International Space Station]] |
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|SpaceX_Crew-8_Splashdown_1.jpg |
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|A SpaceX technician secures a strap around Crew Dragon ''Endeavour'' shortly after it splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico |
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|SpaceX Crew-8 Splashdown thumbs up.jpg |
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|SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts inside Crew Dragon ''Endeavour'' shortly after splashdown and being lifted aboard {{MV|Megan}} |
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{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}} |
{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}} |
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{{People currently in space}} |
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{{Manned ISS flights}} |
{{Manned ISS flights}} |
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{{Dragon spaceflights}} |
{{Dragon spaceflights}} |
Latest revision as of 16:53, 27 November 2024
Names | USCV-8 |
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Mission type | ISS crew transport |
Operator | SpaceX |
COSPAR ID | 2024-042A |
SATCAT no. | 59097 |
Mission duration | 235 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes |
Distance travelled | 100 million mi (160 million km) |
Orbits completed | 3,760 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Crew Dragon Endeavour |
Spacecraft type | Crew Dragon |
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Crew | |
Crew size | 4 |
Members | |
Expedition | Expedition 70/71/72 |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 4 March 2024, 03:53:38 UTC (3 March, 10:53:38 pm EST)[1][2] |
Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1083.1), Flight 305 |
Launch site | Kennedy, LC‑39A |
End of mission | |
Recovered by | MV Megan |
Landing date | 25 October 2024, 07:29:02 UTC (3:29:02 am EDT) |
Landing site | Gulf of Mexico, near Pensacola, Florida (29°48′40″N 87°33′25″W / 29.81111°N 87.55694°W) |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Low Earth orbit |
Inclination | 51.65° |
Docking with ISS | |
Docking port | Harmony forward[3] |
Docking date | 5 March 2024, 08:00 UTC |
Undocking date | 2 May 2024, 12:57 UTC |
Time docked | 58 days, 4 hours, 57 minutes |
Docking with ISS (relocation)[a] | |
Docking port | Harmony zenith |
Docking date | 2 May 2024, 13:46 UTC |
Undocking date | 23 October 2024, 21:05 UTC |
Time docked | 174 days, 7 hours and 19 minutes |
SpaceX Crew-8 mission patch From left: Grebenkin, Barratt, Dominick, and Epps |
SpaceX Crew-8 was the eighth crewed operational NASA Commercial Crew flight and the 13th overall crewed orbital flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission launched on 4 March 2024.
The Crew-8 mission transported four crew members to the International Space Station (ISS). Three NASA astronauts, Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut, Alexander Grebenkin, were assigned to the mission.[4][5]
The Crew-8 mission was extended to accommodate problems encountered by the Boeing Crew Flight Test during its mission. The crew outfitted the Crew-8 capsule to accommodate two extra astronauts if an emergency occurred prior to Crew-9 docking on 29 September 2024.[6]
Crew
[edit]Position[7] | Crew | |
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Commander | Matthew Dominick, NASA Expedition 70 / 71 / 72 First spaceflight | |
Pilot | Michael Barratt, NASA Expedition 70 / 71 / 72 Third spaceflight | |
Mission Specialist 1 | Jeanette Epps, NASA Expedition 70 / 71 / 72 First spaceflight | |
Mission Specialist 2 | Alexander Grebenkin, Roscosmos Expedition 70 / 71 / 72 First spaceflight |
Mission
[edit]Crew-8 was the eighth SpaceX operational mission in the Commercial Crew Program and the 13th overall crewed orbital flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft.[8] The mission launched at 3:53:38 UTC on 4 March 2024 (3 March, 10:53:38 pm EST, local time at the launch site).[9] SpaceX sent the 50th astronaut on this Crew Dragon launch.[10]
The first launch attempt, the day prior was scrubbed at T−03:25:38 due to elevated winds in offshore areas of the flight path.[11][12][13][14]
Launch attempt summary
[edit]Note: times are local to the launch site (Eastern Daylight Time).
Attempt | Planned | Result | Turnaround | Reason | Decision point | Weather go (%) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 Mar 2024, 11:16:00 pm | Scrubbed | — | Weather | 3 Mar 2024, 8:51 pm (T−03:25:38) | 40[15] | Elevated ascent winds |
2 | 3 Mar 2024, 10:53:38 pm | Success | 0 days 23 hours 38 minutes | 75[16] |
Relocation
[edit]To make way for a Boeing Starliner as a part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test that would dock to the forward port of Harmony on 6 June 2024, the crew relocated Crew Dragon Endeavour to the zenith port of Harmony on 2 May 2024, docking to the zenith port at 13:46 UTC.[17] Boeing Starliner Calypso successfully launched on 5 June 2024 and docked to the forward port of Harmony on 6 June.[18]
Support for Starliner CFT
[edit]The Boeing Crew Flight Test mission docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024 after experiencing anomalies with its thrusters. Its crew of two remained on the ISS for an unplanned extended stay, while NASA and Boeing evaluated the problems. NASA decided that the uncertainties were too high to have the crew return to Earth on Starliner, so NASA sent the Crew-9 mission to the ISS with a crew of two, and the Starliner crew will then return to Earth with Crew-9 in February 2025, while Starliner undocked from the ISS and made a successful uncrewed return to Earth in September 2024. This was necessary because the ISS has only two IDSS ports shared between Dragon and Starliner. However, each ISS crewmember needs a contingency "lifeboat" in the event of an ISS emergency, and uncrewed undocking of the Starliner would leave its crew without a lifeboat. Therefore, NASA directed the crews to install two extra crew positions in the cargo area of the Crew-8 capsule to provide the lifeboat function after Starliner undocks and before Crew-9 docked.[6] Until Crew-9 arrived, they moved to SpaceX Crew-8, their temporary emergency evacuation spacecraft, and subsequently to Crew-9.[19]
Mission duration
[edit]Crew-8 was originally planned to return to Earth in early August after a nominal 180-day mission, but the mission was extended several times. It was extended initially as NASA investigated the CFT situation, and extended again to provide the lifeboat function while Boeing worked to reconfigure Starliner to perform the uncrewed return. The NASA maximum mission time for Crew Dragon is ordinarily 210 days, but NASA extended it to 240 days for this mission. The overlap after Crew-9 arrived was slightly longer than usual to allow time to reconfigure Crew-8 and Crew-9 as the Starliner astronauts moved to Crew-9. The return of Crew-8 was delayed for several additional weeks due to poor weather conditions in the splashdown zones surrounding Florida caused by Hurricane Milton and several other storms.[20] The cumulative delays caused Crew-8 to become the longest Dragon mission.
Landing
[edit]Crew-8 undocked from the ISS on 23 October 2024 at 21:05 UTC. After a completing 3,760 orbits and traveling nearly 100 million miles (160 million kilometers), Endeavour began its entry back into the Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, near Pensacola, Florida on 25 October 2024 at 07:29:02 UTC (3:29:02 am EDT, local time at the landing site).[21] The capsule taken aboard the recovery ship MV Megan. After the crew exited the spacecraft, they were taken into the ship's onboard medical treatment facility for evaluations. After that check-up, NASA flew all of the crew members to the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola by helicopter for additional evaluation. One astronaut was hospitalized, but NASA declined to provide the individual's condition or identity. NASA said that the entry and splashdown was normal and the recovery of the crew and the spacecraft was without incident.[22] The astronaut was released from the hospital the following day and was said to be in "good health".[23]
Gallery
[edit]-
Crew-8 astronauts at the O&C Building
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Crew Dragon Endeavour lifts off from LC-39A
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Crew Dragon Endeavour approaching the International Space Station
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A SpaceX technician secures a strap around Crew Dragon Endeavour shortly after it splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico
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SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts inside Crew Dragon Endeavour shortly after splashdown and being lifted aboard MV Megan
Notes
[edit]- ^ From an orbital dynamics perspective, the forward port is easier to approach, and therefore, new vehicles use this approach for their first docking. The Boeing Starliner Calypso was scheduled to make its first docking to the ISS during the Boeing Crew Flight Test in June 2024; therefore, Crew-8 relocated to the zenith port to clear the forward port for Boe-CFT.
References
[edit]- ^ "Crew-8 Launch to Dock Summary Timeline" (PDF). Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Parra, Marissa; Cohen, Rebecca (4 March 2024). "SpaceX, NASA successfully launch manned Crew-8 mission to International Space Station". NBC News. Cape Canaveral, Florida. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Crew-8 Mission Overview" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). n.d. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
Crew-8 will dock to the forward-facing port of the Harmony module
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Endeavour autonomously docked with Harmony's space-facing port, Zenith, at 9:46 a.m. EDT (1346 GMT).
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