posted 04-14-2023 05:04 PM               

Please use this topic to discuss SpaceX's Crew Dragon Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station.

posted 04-14-2023 05:04 PM               

NASA and SpaceX's eighth rotational mission to the space station is planned for no earlier than February 2024.

An integrated crew of four will travel to the space station aboard a SpaceX Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket. Hardware allocations for Dragon and Falcon are planned in the coming months. Once crew members are assigned, operations teams will increase crew training activities specific to the mission, including spacesuit production and testing.

posted 01-31-2024 05:24 PM               

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 22, for the launch of the agency’s Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station.

SpaceX recently completed Dragon’s propulsion system checkouts at the company’s processing facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Teams soon will stack Dragon on its trunk ahead of transporting the spacecraft to SpaceX’s hangar at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for integration with the rocket.

Meanwhile, teams also are preparing the Falcon 9 booster that will be making its first flight on Crew-8. The booster recently completed stage testing and will undergo final assembly in the SpaceX hangar at Launch Complex 39A ahead of the Dragon and Falcon 9 mate.

posted 02-13-2024 11:28 AM               

NASA and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than 12:49 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Feb. 28, for the launch of the agency's SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station.

The launch of Crew-8 was adjusted to deconflict operations with Intuitive Machines’ IM-1, the company’s first lunar lander mission to the moon as part NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, currently targeted for Wednesday, Feb. 14. NASA and SpaceX will continue to assess Crew-8 readiness and may adjust the Crew-8 launch date following a successful IM-1 launch.

"The Commercial Crew Program has been following along with the IM-1 mission preparations, and we are wishing the Intuitive Machines and SpaceX teams all the best ahead of this extremely complex mission to the lunar surface," said Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

posted 02-26-2024 08:44 AM               

On Sunday (feb. 25), crewmates Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt Jeanette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin arrived at Kennedy Space Center. The crew will spend the next few days completing final preparations before launch.

posted 02-27-2024 09:48 AM               

In the meantime, from SpaceX:

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete — targeting Friday, March 1 at 12:04 a.m. ET for launch of NASA's Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A in Florida.

Crew-8, SpaceX, and NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff this week.

posted 02-28-2024 11:58 PM               

The change was made due to unfavorable weather conditions forecast for Friday (March 1) in offshore areas along the flight track of the Dragon spacecraft. High wind and waves along the eastern seaboard have been observed and are forecast to continue through Saturday morning.

posted 03-02-2024 11:46 AM               

All systems are looking good for launch of Crew-8 tonight (March 2), and teams continue to keep an eye on weather, which is 40% favorable for liftoff.

posted 03-03-2024 05:27 PM               

Watch live with us as a crew of four launch on NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff is targeted at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday, March 3 (0353 UTC March 4).

posted 03-03-2024 09:47 PM               

We are confident that we understand the issue and we can still fly the whole mission safely. We're comfortable proceeding because the condition is bounded by existing analysis, as already mentioned.

Additionally, we expect the gap created by this crack in the seal to close as the material will swell with reentry heating. And finally it's on the lower heating side of the vehicle during reentry.

The engineering team here is comfortable proceeding.

posted 09-27-2024 04:38 PM               

Once Crew-9 docks, these seats will no longer be needed and will be removed from the Dragon before Crew-8 undocks.

posted 10-04-2024 04:41 PM               

As of now, NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 7, for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to undock from the International Space Station, completing a seven-month science mission aboard the orbiting complex. Assuming an undocking on Oct. 7, the earliest splashdown time is targeted for 9:35 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, off the Florida coast.

However, we continue to monitor weather systems in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, which could potentially bring adverse weather near the potential splashdown zones off the coast of Florida. Crew 8's Dragon spacecraft undocking depends on various factors, including recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors.

Mission managers will continue to monitor splashdown and recovery conditions, with additional weather briefings planned over the weekend before a final undocking date and splashdown time and location are selected. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft remains healthy while docked to the space station. If required, Crew-8 has several undocking opportunities throughout next week.

posted 10-04-2024 09:16 PM               

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 3:05 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, for the undocking of the Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station due to weather conditions off the coast of Florida. Mission managers continue to monitor conditions, with the next weather briefing planned for 11 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 6.

posted 10-06-2024 11:08 AM               

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 10, for the undocking of the Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station due to weather conditions off the coast of Florida. Mission managers continue to monitor conditions, with the next weather briefing planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.

posted 10-07-2024 06:00 PM               

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 13, for the undocking of the Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station due to weather conditions and potential impacts from Hurricane Milton across the Florida peninsula. Mission managers continue to monitor conditions, with the next weather briefing planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

posted 10-11-2024 03:22 PM               

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 7:05 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 13, for the agency's SpaceX Crew-8 mission to undock from the International Space Station. Pending weather conditions, the earliest splashdown time is targeted for 3:38 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at one of the multiple zones available off the coast of Florida.

posted 10-13-2024 06:02 AM               

NASA and SpaceX are waving off the opportunity at 7:05 a.m. EDT, Sunday, Oct. 13, for the undocking of the Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station due to unfavorable weather conditions at the splashdown zones off the Florida coast.

Mission managers continue to monitor conditions, with the next weather briefing planned for 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 14.

posted 10-14-2024 01:46 PM               

Mission managers continue to monitor weather conditions near the splashdown zones off the Florida coast ahead of returning NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station. Current forecasts indicate unfavorable conditions over the next several days.

The next weather briefing is planned for 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 16.

If weather conditions improve, NASA and SpaceX will target no earlier than 3:05 a.m., Friday, Oct. 18, for undocking from the space station.

posted 10-16-2024 11:18 AM               

Weather conditions near multiple splashdown zones off the coast of Florida remain unfavorable for the return of Crew-8. Mission managers continue to monitor conditions as weather is expected to remain unfavorable for several days.

The next weather briefing is planned for 11 a.m. EDT, on Friday, Oct. 18. If weather conditions improve, NASA and SpaceX will target no earlier than 3:05 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, for undocking from the space station.

posted 10-18-2024 11:10 AM               

Weather conditions near multiple splashdown zones off the coast of Florida remain unfavorable for the return of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 from the International Space Station.

Mission managers continue to monitor and will meet at 11 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the next weather briefing. If conditions improve, NASA and SpaceX will target no earlier than 3:05 a.m., Monday, Oct. 21, for undocking from the space station.

posted 10-19-2024 10:51 AM               

Weather conditions currently remain unfavorable at multiple splashdown sites off the coast of Florida. There are signs of improvement midweek, however, and mission managers will meet at 5 a.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 20 for the next weather briefing.

If weather conditions improve, NASA and SpaceX will target no earlier than 9:05 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21, for undocking from the space station.

posted 10-20-2024 12:56 PM               

NASA and SpaceX teams have seen a marginal improvement in forecast weather conditions in potential splashdown sites off the coast of Florida for the return of the Crew-8 mission. The teams are proceeding closer to undock in order to get better resolution on the weather forecast, targeting a no earlier than undocking of the spacecraft at 9:05 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 21.

Pending weather conditions, the earliest splashdown opportunity for the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is approximately 12:55 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22. The next weather briefing will take place at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.

For the planned Oct. 21 undocking, NASA's live return operations coverage is as follows (all times subject to change based on real-time operations):

Monday, Oct. 21

• 7 p.m. EDT – Hatch closure coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 7:30 p.m. – Hatch closing
  
• 8:45 p.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 9:05 p.m. – Undocking

Tuesday, Oct. 22

• 11:40 a.m. EDT – Return coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 12 p.m. – Deorbit burn (time is approximate)
  
• 12:55 p.m. – Splashdown (time is approximate)

posted 10-21-2024 10:49 AM               

Weather conditions near the multiple splashdown sites off Florida's coast remain unfavorable for the return of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station. Forecasts remain marginal for an undocking on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 23.

If weather conditions improve, NASA and SpaceX will target no earlier than 9:05 p.m. EDT, Oct. 22, for undocking from the space station. Based on the current forecast, conditions are expected to improve as the week progresses.

Mission managers continue to monitor conditions and will meet at 9 a.m., Oct. 22, for the next weather briefing.

posted 10-22-2024 01:04 PM               

NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 23, for the agency’s Crew-8 mission to depart from the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. An undocking on Wednesday would result in a splashdown on Friday, Oct. 25.

Forecasters have seen improvement in expected weather at some of the landing sites off the coast of Florida and continue to monitor conditions while considering splashdown sites and exact timing. The next weather briefing is scheduled for 9 a.m., Wednesday.

posted 10-23-2024 11:16 AM               

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 5:05 p.m. EDT today (Oct. 23) for the undocking of the agency's SpaceX Crew-8 mission from the International Space Station. Pending weather conditions, the splashdown time is targeted for approximately 3:29 a.m. EDT, Friday, Oct. 25, at one of the multiple zones available off the coast of Florida.

Mission managers continue monitoring weather conditions in the area, as Dragon’s undocking depends on various factors, including spacecraft readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors. NASA will select a specific splashdown time and location closer to the Crew-8 spacecraft undocking.

For today's planned undocking, NASA's live return operations coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):

Wednesday, Oct. 23

• 3 p.m. – Hatch closure coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 3:20 p.m. – Hatch closing
  
• 4:45 p.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 5:05 p.m. – Undocking

Pending weather conditions at the splashdown sites, continuous coverage will resume Friday, Oct. 25, on NASA+ prior to the start of deorbit burn.

Friday, Oct. 25

• 2:15 a.m. – Return coverage begins on NASA+
  
• 2:39 a.m. – Deorbit burn (time is approximate)
  
• 3:29 a.m. – Splashdown (time is approximate)

posted 10-25-2024 12:03 AM               

Watch Crew-8 return to Earth, concluding their mission to the International Space Station. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for splashdown off the coast of Florida on Friday, Oct. 25 at approximately 3:29 a.m. EDT (0729 UTC).

posted 10-25-2024 08:50 AM               

Following NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission's safe splashdown and recovery off Florida’s coast early Friday morning, NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin were taken to a local medical facility for additional evaluation.

The crew exited the Dragon spacecraft onto a recovery ship for standard post-flight medical evaluations. Out of an abundance of caution, all crew members were flown to the facility together.

NASA will provide additional information as it becomes available.