NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines together with two international crew members still to be named will fly the Crew-4 mission.
brianjbradley Member
Posts: 146 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2010
posted 02-13-2021 12:09 PM
This is awesome news, with two great astronauts, and my fingers are crossed a Canadian is chosen for one of the two international seats.
It does still make one consider that is seems there are active astronauts they just don't want to fly (Caldwell Dyson, Barratt, Pettit, Wheelock). Thinking of the few Artemis astronauts having ISS assignments, perhaps there is a need for a very recent flight before assignment to an Artemis mission?
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 769 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 02-15-2021 12:21 PM
My understanding is that Dr. Lindgren's Air Force career was more medically oriented and that he is not a pilot in the strict sense. Is that correct? Is Dr. Lindgren still an active USAF officer? I could not find any info.
Also is it unusual and/or unprecedented that a non pilot would be chosen as commander of a launched spacecraft? I know some ISS commanders were not pilots but they were not in command of their launch missions.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-16-2021 10:45 AM
As John (capoetc) pointed out on the Crew-1 discussion thread, Mike Hopkins (Crew-1 commander) was also not a military-trained pilot.
quote:Originally posted by capoetc: Hopkins attended US Air Force Test Pilot School as a flight test engineer, but he was not trained as a pilot (although he does have a private pilot license).
Michael Cassutt Member
Posts: 374 From: Studio City CA USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 02-16-2021 07:04 PM
quote:Originally posted by brianjbradley: It does still make one consider that is seems there are active astronauts they just don't want to fly...
It's my understanding that the ISS International Partners have an age restriction for long-duration crew members — as in, no one can be assigned to an expedition past the age of 60. Since ISS training tends to take 2-2.5 years, this does allow, in theory, for 62-year-old astronauts to fly. But it might explain why Pettit (65 going on 66), Wheelock and Barratt (both 60+) haven't been assigned.
Also, keep in mind that we have no idea what personal reasons astronauts might have for declining assignments from time to time, or just not qualifying for them (Russian language facility has held back a number of folks over the years).
And yes, it's my understanding that most if not all members of the Artemis cadre will be given flight assignments prior to any in the Artemis program.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1684 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 02-17-2021 09:40 AM
Curious as to the status of Steve Bowen. He was Chris Cassidy's backup last year, and was originally penciled in to fly in the slot that Kate Rubins wound up getting. Mark Vande Hei is training for the (potential) Soyuz seat in April, with Anne McClain as backup. I kind of thought Bowen would wind up on one of these commercial crew launches.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1684 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 05-04-2021 01:36 PM
From Stephen Bowen's official NASA biography:
Bowen is currently in training as backup for NASA SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-28-2021 09:36 AM
Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has been assigned to Crew-4.
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.
MSS Member
Posts: 977 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 05-28-2021 12:58 PM
So only fourth crew member is missing as usual.
Who will be this one? Russian, Canadian or ESA one? Have you got any idea about it? Thanks for possible solutions?
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1684 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 05-28-2021 03:42 PM
My guess would be either a cosmonaut or a third NASA astronaut.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-08-2021 02:02 PM
NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than April 15, 2022, for the launch of the Crew-4 mission to the space station.
Crew-4 will be commanded by Kjell Lindgren with Bob Hines as pilot, both NASA astronauts. ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will be a mission specialist and command the ISS Expedition 68 crew, while the remaining crew member has yet to be named.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-16-2021 02:43 PM
NASA has assigned Jessica Watkins to be the fourth member of SpaceX's Crew-4.
lspooz Member
Posts: 448 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Aug 2012
posted 11-16-2021 04:47 PM
More flying Turtles!!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-20-2022 06:36 PM
Official portrait of SpaceX Crew-4:
The official crew portrait of the SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts representing NASA's Commercial Crew Program. From left are, Pilot Robert Hines, Mission Specialists Samantha Cristoforetti and Jessica Watkins, and Commander Kjell Lindgren. Hines, Watkins, and Lindgren are NASA astronauts and Cristoforetti is an ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
FREEDOM!! Crew-4 will fly to the International Space Station in a new Dragon capsule named "Freedom." The name celebrates a fundamental human right, and the industry and innovation that emanate from the unencumbered human spirit.
Through the Commercial Crew Program, NASA and SpaceX have restored a national capability and we honor the ingenuity and hard work of those involved. Alan Shepard flew on Freedom 7 at the dawn of human spaceflight. We are honored to bring Freedom to a new generation!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-31-2022 11:05 AM
The Crew-4 launch is now no earlier than April 20 in order to provide a bit more room between this mission and the Ax-1 landing.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1237 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 03-31-2022 05:01 PM
Does anyone know if SpaceX has been working on the Crew Dragon parachute issue since the last landing? Hopefully Axiom 1 (and eventually Crew 3) lands with all four parachutes opening and operating properly.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-31-2022 08:03 PM
Both NASA and SpaceX have said that after thorough study, what appears to be a delayed deploy, or lagging, of the fourth parachute has no bearing on the flight characteristics of the vehicle. It may just be normal behavior for a four parachute configuration.
To quote Bill Gerstenmaier, vice president for build and flight reliability at SpaceX:
We could not find anything that stood out as a contributing cause. We spent a lot of time looking at that to figure out if there was anything we were missing. We can't find anything. It's almost a feature of this design.
That said, SpaceX has reconfigured its cameras, forgoing internal views of the crew during descent to gather more imagery of the parachutes deploying.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2022 05:41 PM
From Kathy Lueders, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (via Twitter):
NASA and SpaceX continue to carefully look at the operational schedules ahead of the agency's Crew-4 mission to the space station. We currently are targeting launch no earlier than April 21 and also looking at the backup date of April 23.
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.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Our Crew-4 poster! Designed in the style of the WPA's [Works Progress Administration] National Park posters of the 1930s and 40s. Thanks to Johnson Space Center's Cindy Bush for bringing this concept to life!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2022 06:02 PM
NASA release
NASA and SpaceX Adjust the Agency's Crew-4 Launch Date
NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 5:26 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 23, for the launch of the agency's Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The date adjustment provides mission teams time to complete final prelaunch processing for the Crew-4 mission following the April 8 launch of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) to the space station.
Mission teams continue to monitor operational timelines with ongoing space station activities, including upcoming spacewalks and the return of Ax-1 crew members. The weather forecast remains a watch item to ensure safe recovery and launch operations for crew missions. The Crew-4 date also provides three consecutive launch opportunities with backups on Sunday, April 24, and Monday, April 25.
The agency's flight readiness review will be held on Friday, April 15, a Kennedy. The review will focus on the preparedness of SpaceX's crew transportation system, the International Space Station, and its international partners to support the flight, as well as the certification of flight readiness.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-20-2022 09:19 PM
NASA update
The earliest potential launch opportunity for the Crew-4 mission is 4:15 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 26, with additional opportunities Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28.
These launch opportunities are undergoing a more detailed program review to ensure they align with integrated operational timelines.
The teams want to provide a two-day gap after the Axiom-1 (Ax-1) crew return for data reviews from splashdown and to prepare for the Crew-4 launch, including the staging of recovery assets.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-22-2022 09:44 PM
NASA update
NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 3:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 27, for launch of the agency's SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Teams decided to wave off a potential launch opportunity on April 26 until further into the week when space station positioning and orbital mechanics are more favorable. Crew-4 has another launch opportunity available Thursday, April 28, as weather continues to be a watch item heading into next week.
Additional adjustments to the Crew-4 launch date may be necessary in the event inclement weather prevents an on time splashdown of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) currently docked to the space station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-26-2022 09:15 PM
NASA video
The Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station lifted off at 3:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
posted 04-27-2022 11:02 AM
Exact time of launch: 27 April 2022, 07:52:55 UTC.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-27-2022 06:08 PM
SpaceX video
Dragon will autonomously dock with the space station at 7:40 p.m. EDT (00:40 UTC April 28).
MSS Member
Posts: 977 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 04-28-2022 05:31 AM
ISS configuration after SpaceX Dragon-4 Freedom docking:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-14-2022 08:15 AM
SpaceX video
SpaceX and NASA are targeting Friday, October 14 at 12:05 p.m. ET, 16:05 UTC, for Dragon to autonomously undock from the International Space Station (ISS). After performing a series of departure burns to move away from the space station, Dragon will conduct multiple orbit-lowering maneuvers, jettison the trunk, and re-enter Earth's atmosphere for splashdown off the coast of Florida approximately five hours later at 4:55 p.m. ET, 20:55 UTC.
Live webcast coverage of Crew-4's return to Earth will begin about 20 minutes prior to undocking.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 49257 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-14-2022 02:57 PM
SpaceX video
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2885 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 10-14-2022 08:45 PM
We heard the sonic boom here in Georgia. I saw the Dragon under the mains, very good with binoculars. I grabbed a photo but it really is a white dot in the image.
posted 02-12-2021 01:26 PM
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