SpaceX launches 4 NASA astronauts to the International Space Station
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2022 (Xinhua) — US private space company SpaceX launched an international crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station early Wednesday morning, the fourth rotation mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a two-stage “Falcon 9” rocket topped by a Crew Dragon capsule, and its crew aboard lifted off at 3:52 a.m. EDT (07:52 GMT) on Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Dragon spacecraft, dubbed “Freedom” by the mission’s crew, is scheduled to dock with the space station at 8:15 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
The Crew-4 flight will carry three NASA astronauts, mission leader Kjell Lindgren, pilot Bob Hines, mission specialist Jessica Watkins, and one ESA astronaut, mission specialist Samantha Cristoforetti.
The four astronauts will spend several months aboard the space station to conduct new scientific research in areas such as materials science, health technologies and plant sciences to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and for the benefit of life on Earth, according to NASA.
“Aboard the station, Kjell, Bob, Jessica and Samantha will conduct research investigations that will help NASA prepare for a longer stay on the Moon – and eventually Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.