SpaceX launches four astronauts to the International Space Station. see photos

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft with NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer to launch a six-month science mission into space. sent to class. station.

The mission is the first spaceflight for astronauts Chari, Barron and Maurer, and the third for Marshburn. Marshburn is the sixth person to launch from Earth from three different spacecraft.

During Crew Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automated spacecraft maneuvers from its Mission Control Center in Hawthorne, Calif., and NASA teams throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. will oversee the operation.

“Just a few days after the return of Crew-2 with King, Thomas, Kayla and Mattias en route to the International Space Station, we are witnessing the power of American ingenuity right before our eyes,” Nelson said. “NASA’s partnership with SpaceX is important not only for cutting-edge research, but also for international collaboration. The space station brings countries around the world together for the benefit of all. Godspeed, Crew-3 – I’m All That” Can’t wait to see what you accomplish.”

see full image

Crew Dragon Endurance will autonomously dock at the forward port of the station’s Harmony module around 7:10 p.m. on Thursday, November 11. NASA Television, the NASA app and the agency’s website are providing ongoing live coverage of the docking, hatch opening and through. Ceremony to welcome the crew to the orbital post.

Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said, “Our crews have a huge responsibility to ensure safe transportation and continued access to space. We know how well crews come to the station and settle into their long-duration missions. Excited. The NASA and SpaceX team remain vigilant in support of his safe arrival and eventual return to Earth.”

Chari, Marshburn, Barron and Maurer will join the Expedition 66 crew of NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei and Roscosmos astronauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov. Crew-3 is the second commercial crewed mission to fly an ESA astronaut.

see full image

“Watching a rocket launch is always thrilling, especially when an international crew of astronauts is sitting on top of it. Matthias Maurer is the second ESA astronaut to be launched in the Crew Dragon spacecraft under the US Commercial Crew Program,” said ESA Director General Joseph Aschbacher he said. “We are delighted to see her fly to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts. Long history of international cooperation in space for the benefit of the Earth. On behalf of ESA, I wish all Crew-3 astronauts a productive and productive life.” Wishing you a joyous mission.”

Crew-3 astronauts are about six on the space station conducting new and exciting scientific research in areas such as materials science, health technologies and plant science to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit life on Earth. Will spend months

The Crew-3 mission continues NASA’s efforts to restore and maintain American leadership in human spaceflight. Regular, long-duration commercial crew rotation missions enable NASA to continue critical research and technology investigations taking place on the station. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future exploration of the Moon and Mars, starting with the agency’s Artemis mission, which includes landing the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.