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SCRUB: SpaceX & NASA Scrub Launch of Crew-6 to Space Station

NASASpaceflight・192 minutes read

SpaceX launching Crew-6 mission to the ISS with various experiments and international crew members, including UAE astronaut Alneyadi. The crew undergoes traditions, prepares for launch, and conducts experiments during the mission, highlighting international cooperation and scientific advancements.

Insights

  • SpaceX is launching the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A in under four hours.
  • The Crew-6 mission will last six months, with docking on the 28th after liftoff on the 27th.
  • The mission includes 222 experiments focusing on astronaut health risks, dietary studies, and spaceflight-associated neurocular syndrome tests.
  • The UAE astronaut, Alneyadi, may participate in spacewalks, with specific assignments yet to be determined.
  • Crew members entertain themselves on long trips with personalized iPads loaded with entertainment, like watching movies such as Spaceballs.
  • The crew is escorted by security vehicles and military vehicles to the launch pad.

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Recent questions

  • How long will the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station last?

    The Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station is set to last six months, with docking scheduled for the 28th after liftoff on the 27th. During this time, the crew will conduct 222 experiments focusing on various aspects of astronaut health risks, dietary studies, and spaceflight-associated neurocular syndrome tests. Additionally, the mission will involve investigations into fire safety and the effects of human space missions on the space environment.

  • What are the main objectives of the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station?

    The Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station has several key objectives. These include conducting 222 experiments focusing on astronaut health risks, dietary studies, and spaceflight-associated neurocular syndrome tests. The mission will also involve investigations into fire safety, studying the effects of human space missions on the space environment, and potentially having the UAE astronaut, Alneyadi, participate in spacewalks with specific assignments yet to be determined.

  • How many Crew Dragon V2 vehicles does SpaceX have for the Crew-6 mission?

    SpaceX currently has four Crew Dragon V2 vehicles for the Crew-6 mission, with plans to build a fifth. It's worth noting that there are no operational Dragon V1 capsules for this mission. The Crew Dragon V2 vehicles are designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station, showcasing SpaceX's commitment to crewed spaceflight.

  • What are some traditions observed by the crew before the launch of the Crew-6 mission?

    Before the launch of the Crew-6 mission, the crew engages in various traditions. These include viewing the rocket by leaning back, using a historic phone to call loved ones, signing the wall, receiving patches from ground crew members, and having a meal of steak and eggs. Additionally, crew members play cards with the tech crew until losing a hand and serve cornbread and beans post-launch. These traditions add a sense of camaraderie and historical significance to the pre-launch preparations.

  • How do astronauts prepare for liftoff during the Crew-6 mission?

    In preparation for liftoff during the Crew-6 mission, astronauts undergo various procedures. These include wearing spacesuits that weigh around 20 pounds each, undergoing leak checks of their suits and the capsule, and being escorted by security vehicles and military vehicles to the launch pad. The crew also engages in communication checks with team members, ensuring all systems are functioning correctly before liftoff. Additionally, the crew members use iPads and laptops for different functions based on practicality, emphasizing readiness and operational efficiency during the mission.

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Summary

00:00

SpaceX launches Crew-6 mission to ISS

  • SpaceX is launching the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A in under four hours.
  • Adrian Biele and Alicia are hosting the coverage, with Michael Baylor and Kevin Michael Reed assisting in the background.
  • Thomas Burkhart is at the Neil Armstrong operations building, awaiting the astronauts to come out for suit-up procedures.
  • Chris Gephart and other field reporters are present to cover the launch from various angles.
  • The Crew-6 mission will last six months, with docking on the 28th after liftoff on the 27th.
  • The mission includes 222 experiments, focusing on astronaut health risks, dietary studies, and spaceflight-associated neurocular syndrome tests.
  • Crew-6 will also conduct fire safety investigations and study the effect of human space missions on the space environment.
  • SpaceX has four Crew Dragon V2 vehicles, with plans to build a fifth, while there are no operational Dragon V1 capsules.
  • The UAE astronaut, Alneyadi, may participate in spacewalks, with specific assignments yet to be determined.
  • The launch window to the ISS is determined by the trajectory constraints of different launch sites and the ISS's orbit.

16:05

International Mission: Falcon 9 Launch Details

  • Launch times for February 27, 2023, from the Kennedy Space Center are 145 and three seconds for the Falcon 9 local time.
  • The crew includes Andre Fed Yev, a Russian Cosmonaut, and an admission specialist for the mission.
  • The mission involves three nations, making it an international mission.
  • Crew members entertain themselves on long trips with personalized iPads loaded with entertainment, like watching movies such as Spaceballs.
  • Crew members board the capsules early due to various tests, technical checks, and safety protocols.
  • Families bid farewell to crew members before they depart for the launch pad.
  • The drive from the crew quarters to Launch Complex 39A takes about 20 minutes.
  • The crew is escorted by security vehicles and military vehicles to the launch pad.
  • Stephen Bowen, a submarine officer, is part of the crew and has previous short-duration spaceflight experience.
  • Bowen was a last-minute replacement for Tim Kopra on a previous mission, making him the only person in NASA history to fly back-to-back missions.

33:08

"Rookie astronauts prepare for historic launch"

  • The crew is on the on-ramp to State Road 3, en route to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
  • Woody Holberg, a rookie astronaut with zero days in space, has a degree in Aeronautics and astronautics from MIT and a doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science.
  • Mission specialist Sultan al-nayadi from the United Arab Emirates is also a rookie and one of two original astronaut Corps members for the UAE.
  • The UAE is emerging as a significant player in space exploration, with long-duration missions to the International Space Station and involvement in the Gateway module development.
  • Three astronauts, including Andrei Fedyaev from Ross Cosmos, are rookies on this mission, with Andrei celebrating his 42nd birthday on launch day.
  • The crew arrives at Pad 39A with three hours until launch, engaging in traditions like leaning back to view the rocket and using the historic phone to call loved ones.
  • They sign the wall and receive patches from ground crew members before boarding Dragon.
  • Traditions include a meal of steak and eggs before launch, playing cards with the tech crew until losing a hand, and serving cornbread and beans post-launch.
  • The suit-up room features recliner chairs from the Apollo era, adding to the historical significance of the pre-launch preparations.
  • A modern tradition involves cutting the necktie of new personnel on console after a successful launch, as seen during the Artemis mission.

49:11

"Aviation tradition, elevator buttons, and space missions"

  • In aviation tradition, a pilot's shirt tails are cut off after their first solo flight.
  • Elevator buttons in Russia include a top one for space.
  • Ground level is referred to as Earth, with clear distinctions between Earth and space.
  • Numbers on the elevator indicate feet above pad level of the Tower levels.
  • Dragon spacecraft is designed to accommodate height restrictions for riding to space.
  • Crew capsule for the current mission is the Crew Dragon built by SpaceX.
  • The crew is seen at the Protein Tower, preparing for the mission.
  • Propellant load for the rocket begins 35 minutes before t0, with rp1 loading.
  • The spacesuits worn by astronauts weigh around 20 pounds each.
  • Signatures for the mission are being done on the NASA logo, as it is a NASA mission conducted by SpaceX.

01:06:15

"Space Launch: Astronauts, Navy, and Precision"

  • The number of U.S. astronauts who have launched into space is unknown, but it is the highest number of astronauts ever.
  • There is a strong connection between the space program and the Navy, with astronauts having naval backgrounds.
  • The red team or red crew concept during Artemis missions may have originated from naval traditions, where the red team handled explosives and ammunition.
  • Extra suits or seats are not sent up in case the rescue Soyuz doesn't work out; the assumption is that the new vehicle, Soyuz MS-23, will function perfectly.
  • Quarantine is essential for astronauts before launch to prevent bringing diseases to the ISS.
  • The crew undergoes leak checks of their suits and the capsule before liftoff to ensure everything is properly sealed.
  • The closeout crew, referred to as ninjas, wear masks not for anonymity but to protect the crew from pathogens.
  • The liftoff time for the ISS mission is precise, with only a one-second window for launch.
  • The weather conditions for the launch are excellent, with no rain and favorable conditions along the Eastern Seaboard and the North Atlantic.
  • The crew is ready for side hatch closure, with technicians inspecting the hatch and ensuring all seals are in place before liftoff.

01:24:23

SpaceX Launch: Booster Landing, Crew Prep, Communication

  • The first and second stage Ascent is visible, with the orange area marking the first stage drop zone and the blue dot indicating the Drone ship where the booster will land.
  • The orange boundaries represent the keepout zones for maritime safety during the launch.
  • The second stage re-enters the atmosphere over the Southern strip of Australia.
  • A Super Chat donation of $99.99 is acknowledged and appreciated during the stream.
  • The Dragon SpaceX closeout team is preparing to close the side hatch for launch.
  • Attention is given to ensuring the hatch is securely closed without any debris or issues, recalling a past incident with a hair causing a delay.
  • Tips for living in close quarters in space are shared, emphasizing cleanliness and readiness to operate at all times.
  • The crew members use an iPad and a laptop for different functions based on practicality.
  • The crew members are seen closing the hatch before launch, with a wave goodbye.
  • Communication checks are completed with various team members in preparation for launch, ensuring all systems are functioning correctly.

01:42:47

"Astronauts' Personal Items and Mission Details"

  • Astronauts on Soyuz and SpaceX Crew Dragon missions are allowed to bring personal items weighing a little over three pounds.
  • Examples of personal items brought by astronauts include musical instruments, cameras, photos of family, and small trinkets.
  • Specific personal items brought by astronauts include a photo of a deceased father, drawings from kids, cultural items like an Emirati dress and Tintin Rockets, and a kimono for jiu-jitsu.
  • Ramadan, a Muslim holiday, is happening from March 22nd to April 23rd, and astronauts are exempt from fasting due to being considered travelers.
  • The launch escape system is armed around 45 minutes before liftoff to ensure safety during propellant loading.
  • Potential debris avoidance maneuvers (P Dam) are considered for the ISS trajectory, but they do not affect the launch and only impact the Rendezvous timeline for Dragon docking.
  • Crew Dragon astronauts have access to tablets with all necessary checklists and procedures for the mission, including the ability to manually control the spacecraft if needed.
  • The crew can leave their seats and remove their launch and entry suits after reaching orbit, but they wear them again during approach, docking, and re-entry.
  • SpaceX employees on comms provide updates on weather, technical issues, and potential maneuvers like the P Dam for the ISS trajectory.
  • The comms team includes individuals in the studio, on-site commentators like Thomas Burkhardt and Sawyer, and assistant managing editor Chris Gephardt from NSF.

01:59:19

"Crew Dragon Recovery and Launch Operations"

  • Different crews are designated for specific tasks like Ingress and Egress during recovery operations.
  • Crew Dragon Endeavor is set to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico in about six months.
  • A drone ship is prepared downrange to catch booster 1078 on its first flight.
  • The booster will land on the drone ship located approximately 550 kilometers downrange.
  • Crew Dragon is heavily loaded with crew, supplies, and experiments, necessitating a drone ship landing instead of RTLS.
  • Crew members have an automated system and a sleep break before docking during the one-day rendezvous.
  • Crew 5 is scheduled to return to Earth around August after a six-month stay.
  • Dragon launches are exclusive to the East Coast due to facility limitations and orbital requirements.
  • Boosters used for Crew Dragon missions are identical to those used for non-human launches.
  • Slick 40 Crew Tower construction provides redundancy and flexibility for future launches, including Starship activities.

02:16:22

"Unique Mission Patch Design Symbolizes Space Exploration"

  • Each Mission has a unique Mission patch design, symbolizing various aspects of the mission and crew.
  • The patch features a viking Long Boat representing sailing into the stars and the International Space Station.
  • The ship's Dragon figurehead symbolizes looking into the future.
  • The ship's sail, with the Roman numeral six, overlays Earth, the moon, and Mars.
  • The Draco constellation represents NASA's commercial crew program and crew Dragon.
  • The crew's names are written in Arabic and Cyrillic to reflect their nationalities.
  • The astronauts for the current Mission include Stephen Bowen, Warren Woody Holberg, Sultan Al Nihadi, and Andrei Fedyayev.
  • Bowen is on his fourth space flight, Holberg is a rookie with no space experience, Al Nihadi is from the United Arab Emirates, and Fedyayev is a rookie from Ross Cosmos.
  • The astronauts' suits are custom-tailored with their names on the parts, and it's uncertain if they will keep them after the mission.
  • The Mission patch design process involves input from astronauts and a company in North Carolina with a 50-year history of creating patches.

02:32:55

UAE's Space Program: Missions and Milestones

  • Q6's timeline for docking post-launch involves entering a parking orbit and performing maneuvers to align with the ISS.
  • Originally slated for docking at the harmony module on the ISS at 238.
  • The UAE's human space flight program aims for sustainability with multiple missions and astronaut training.
  • Sultan's six-month mission is unique for a non-ISS country, showcasing international cooperation.
  • Experiments during Sultan's mission focus on cardiovascular systems, back pain, epigenetics, immune system, and material sciences.
  • The UAE's Al-Amal probe on Mars and Rashid Lander on the Moon are performing well, collecting data and conducting experiments.
  • Future UAE initiatives include launching a 12U satellite with international payloads and a high-resolution Earth observation satellite.
  • Plans for a larger lunar rover with advanced instruments and missions to Venus and asteroids are in progress.
  • Sultan's long-duration mission signifies a cultural shift, inspiring Arab youth to engage in scientific and technological advancements.
  • Crew polling confirmed readiness for launch, with upcoming checks leading to the final fueling decision at T-minus 45 minutes.

02:49:26

"Engineers Control Rocket Launch in Control Room"

  • Engineers are seen controlling the rocket and vehicles in the control room.
  • NASA's mission control center is mentioned.
  • Crew involvement in the launch is highlighted.
  • Discussion on the moon's brightness for lighting the exhaust.
  • Mention of an upcoming crew announcement for Artemis 2.
  • Involvement of a Canadian astronaut in a future mission.
  • European participation in future moon landings is discussed.
  • Details on the countdown timeline and launch preparations.
  • Monitoring of geomagnetic storms and their impact on missions.
  • Deployment of Starlink satellites into higher orbits to avoid atmospheric effects.

03:05:44

SpaceX and NASA Prepare for Moon Missions

  • SpaceX and NASA are working towards the next step of sending astronauts to the Moon, possibly with missions named Artemis 2 and Artemis Freedom.
  • A new way to support space coverage is through tips.masterspaceway.com, allowing viewers to leave comments and names for recognition during streams.
  • The countdown process involves auto sequence initiation at T minus 35 minutes, leading to propellant loading for both rocket stages.
  • RP1 kerosene is loaded into both stages simultaneously, while liquid oxygen is loaded into the first stage first, followed by the second stage due to densified liquid oxygen peculiarities.
  • Fueling continues until about 1 minute and 50 seconds before liftoff, with a final purge of the transporter erector system.
  • Falcon 9 takes control of the countdown at 1 minute, pressurizing its tanks for flight, followed by launch director verification at 45 seconds.
  • The launch escape system can activate Draco thrusters in case of emergencies, pulling the crew away for a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The crew can open the hatch from the inside and use the slide wire escape system if needed, in non-serious situations triggering the launch escape system.
  • The crew will conduct 222 experiments aboard the ISS, including immunity assays, dietary studies, neurocular syndrome investigations, and tissue chip experiments.
  • Dragon uses regular Draco thrusters for maneuvers and docking with the ISS, adjusting based on the docking port and orientation for alignment during docking procedures.

03:21:11

"SpaceX Crew 6 Launch Preparations and Details"

  • Wolves are present in Europe but not on Europa, as they are underground.
  • Discussion on the repainting of Draco flame diverters from black to white post Crew Demo 2.
  • Super Dracos are abort thrusters, while regular Dracos are for normal operations.
  • Change in coloration of super Draco thrusters' tips and undersides from gray to white to prevent moisture intrusion.
  • T-minus 20-minute vent indicates completion of RP1 fueling for stage 2 and purging of transporter erector lines.
  • Viewing advice for Daytona Beach spectators during Crew 6 launch, highlighting the stages' separation and entry burn visibility.
  • Details on Falcon 9's fueling process with chilled RP1 kerosene and densified liquid oxygen.
  • Mention of the 205th Flight of the Falcon 9 and its impact on data collection for booster reliability.
  • Pre-launch preparations for Crew 6, including engine chill and dragon transition to internal power.
  • T-tab load issue mentioned during countdown, explaining its role in igniting the engines.

03:38:18

"Falcon 9 Launch Scrubbed, Crew Safe"

  • Unusual call-out during countdown, crew briefed on issue
  • Strongback retracting to 88.2 degrees from 90 for liftoff
  • Transporter erector moves back to 45 degrees at ignition
  • Launch director verifies go for launch 45 seconds before liftoff
  • Scrub due to t-tab ground issue, next attempt at 1:22 am EST
  • T-tab flare visible, normal part of process
  • Potential 24-hour scrub turnaround for next attempt
  • T-tab ground issue affects igniting nine Merlin 1D engines
  • Only second scrub in eight crew flights of Falcon 9
  • Detanking process underway, crew safe, next attempt depends on issue resolution
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