SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut mission: Live updates

Crew-8 have successfully docked to the ISS

SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission has arrived at the International Space Station.

The mission’s Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday at 2:28 a.m. EST (0728 GMT). Dragon and the station were soaring above the central North Atlantic just east of New Foundland at the time.

Hatch opening will occur approximately 1 hour 45 minutes after docking.

Watch Crew-8 dock at the ISS

SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission will arrive at the International Space Station early Tuesday morning (March 5), and you can watch the action live.  Docking is expected to occur at 2:28 a.m. ET (0728 GMT).

The four-person Crew-8 launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday (March 3) at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT on March 4).

Read more: Watch SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission arrive at the ISS early March 5 (free livestream)

Crew-8 prepares to dock

The four Crew-8 astronauts are on their way to dock at the International Space Station.

After a spectacular nighttime liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday (March 3), SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft entered Earth orbit ahead of its rendezvous with the space station.

Endeavour is scheduled to dock at the forward-facing port of the ISS’s Harmony module at 3 a.m. ET (0800 GMT) on Tuesday (March 5). Hatch opening will follow at about 4:45 a.m. (0945 GMT) if the docking schedule holds, followed by a welcome ceremony aboard the station. You can watch docking here at Space.com courtesy of NASA, when the time comes.

Related: SpaceX launches Crew-8 astronaut mission to International Space Station for NASA (video)

Liftoff!

The Crew-8 mission lifted off on time tonight (March 3) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If all goes according to plan, the mission’s Endeavour capsule will rendezvous with the International Space Station around 3 a.m. EST (0800 GMT) on Tuesday (March 5). 

Propellant load is underway

Teams began loading propellant (kerosene) and oxidizer (liquid oxygen) into Crew-8’s Falcon 9 rocket at 10:18 p.m. EST tonight (March 3; 10318 GMT on March 4), 35 minutes before the astronaut mission’s planned launch. 

Everything continues going smoothly, though mission teams did notice a small crack in the seal in the hatch of Crew-8’s capsule, named Endeavour. This crack is not believed to be a serious problem, but analyses are still underway.

Crew Dragon Endeavour’s launch escape system is armed

At around 10:15 p.m. EST tonight (March 3; 0315 GMT on March 4), mission teams retracted the crew access arm at Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A and armed the launch escape system of the Crew Dragon Endeavour, notching two big milestones ahead of the liftoff of SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Launch is scheduled for 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT on March 4).

Hatch closure

Crew Dragon Endeavour’s side hatch was sealed at 8:50 p.m. EST on March 3 (0150 GMT on March 4), another major milestone toward the Crew-8 astronaut launch to the International Space Station. Everything remains on track for liftoff at 10:53 p.m. EST tonight (0353 GMT on March 4).

Ingress

The Crew-8 astronauts have boarded their spacecraft. The quartet entered their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, called Endeavour, around 8 p.m. EST tonight (March 3; 0100 GMT on March 4). So far, everything is going smoothly ahead of Crew-8’s planned launch at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT on March 4). 

At the pad

The two Teslas carrying the four Crew-8 astronauts reached Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center tonight (March 3) at 7:51 p.m. EST (0051 GMT on March 4), three hours before their planned launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Walkout!

The four Crew-8 astronauts left the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at around 7:35 p.m. EST tonight (March 3; 0035 GMT on March 4). They walked out to wave goodbye to friends and family, then got in two Teslas for the roughly 20-minute journey to KSC’s Pad 39A. 

Playing cards before launch

The Crew-8 astronauts played a brief card game with the deputy chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office about 3.5 hours before their planned launch today (March 3). The game is a tradition, according to commentators on NASA TV: They play until the mission commander loses, so he uses up all of his bad luck before launch.

Crew-8 astronauts suiting up

The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station have begun suiting up for their planned launch tonight (March 3). That liftoff is scheduled for 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT on March 4) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and it looks like Mother Nature will cooperate: There’s currently a 75% chance that the weather will be good enough to allow launch.

It’s Launch Day (again) for Crew-8

The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-8 astronaut mission for NASA will again attempt to launch to the International Space Station today after bad weather delayed an attempt on Saturday.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is now scheduled to launch Crew-8 from NASA’s Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT). There is a 75% chance of good weather for tonight’s launch. You’ll be able to watch live via NASA’s livestream starting at 6:45 p.m. EST (2345 GMT). SpaceX’s livestream on X (formerly Twitter) will begin at about 9:53 p.m. EST.5gt

SCRUB! SpaceX postpones Crew-8 launch

SpaceX flight controllers called off tonight’s Crew-8 astronaut launch due to high ascent winds expected at liftoff time. SpaceX’s next opportunity to launch Crew-8 is now Sunday, March 3, at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT on March 4). 

The call came as the four Crew-8 astronauts were all suited up in their SpaceX spacesuits, but they had not yet departed for the launch pad. The astronauts will now doff their suits and return to their crew quarters to rest up for their next attempt. 

“Basically, it will be kind of like Groundhog Day,” NASA astronaut Raja Chari said during commentary on NASA TV. “Because they didn’t come all the way out to the pad, it’s going to be a lot easier on the crew. They are going to have the opportunity to get a lot more rest than they would otherwise.

NASA’s livestream of the Crew-8 astronaut launch will begin at 6:45 p.m. EST (2345 GMT). You can watch live on this page. 

Crew-8 launch webcast begin, 4 hours to launch

SpaceX is just under 4 hours away from the launch of its Crew-8 astronaut mission for a NASA and everything appears on track for an 11:16 p.m. EST (0416 GMT) launch tonight. You can watch the launch live on this page. 

The four Crew-8 astronauts – NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin – have suited up in their SpaceX spacesuits and are completing final leak checks. Once complete, they’ll head out of NASA’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and take Tesla electric cars to their Pad 39A launch pad. 

The astronauts will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon Endeavour, a Dragon capsule that is making its fifth flight with the Crew-8 mission.

It’s launch day for Crew-8

It’s launch day for NASA’s Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft. 

SpaceX is counting down toward a planned launch from NASA’s Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 11:16 p.m. EST (0416 GMT), but the weather outlook is looking grim. 

Currently, there is only a 40% chance of good weather at launch time, with SpaceX requiring clear conditions for both the rocket as well as offshore seas for recovery teams in the unlikely event of a launch abort that sends the Dragon capsule parachuting into the sea. 

SpaceX does have the option to try again on Sunday, March 3, at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT), if needed, the company has said. 

Crew-8 will launch four astronauts on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. That crew includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin of Russia rounding out the team.

NASA’s livestream of the launch will begin at about 7:15 p.m. EST (0015 GMT).

NASA stresses safety for Crew-8 launch

NASA leadership underscored that safety comes above all else as the agency prepares to launch three NASA astronauts and one Roscosmos cosmonaut to the International Space Station atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

In a briefing on Wednesday (Feb. 28) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stressed that no matter how routine commercial launches with SpaceX and other providers may appear to the public, the agency learned its lesson with the 1986 space shuttle Challenger disaster and approaches every mission with the utmost caution.

“Every time we launch, it’s white-knuckle time — and especially when humans are on top,” Nelson said during the briefing. “We never want to get in to the frame of mind that it’s so routine that it’s like getting in your car and taking a Sunday afternoon drive.”

Crew-8’s liftoff is currently scheduled for 12:04 a.m. EST (0504 GMT) on Friday (March 1) . You can watch it live here at Space.com when the time comes. 

Read more: ‘It’s white-knuckle time:’ NASA chief stresses safety for Crew-8 astronaut launch

NASA Chief to hold Crew-8 briefing

NASA will hold a press conference today at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) to give an update on the upcoming launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station on the Crew-8 mission. 

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will head the briefing, which will also include mission officials and experts. Here is who will be speaking in the panel:

• NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
• NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free
• Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program
• Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program

Crew-8 will launch NASA astronauts NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, to the ISS on March 1 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon capsule Endeavour. Liftoff is set for 12:04 a.m. EST (0504 GMT) from Pad 39A of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.  

SpaceX test fires Crew-8 rocket, astronauts rehearse walkout

SpaceX’s Crew-8 mission for NASA is gearing up for liftoff.

Crew-8 is scheduled to lift off from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Friday (March 1) at 12:04 a.m. EST (0504 GMT). You can watch it live here at Space.com when the time comes.

On Monday (Feb. 26), the four Crew-8 astronauts conducted a dress rehearsal that saw them walk out of the the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at KSC in their white SpaceX spacesuits.

And early on Tuesday (Feb. 27), SpaceX conducted a static fire test of the mission’s Falcon 9 rocket. 

This will be the first flight of this particular Falcon 9 booster, but the fifth flight for the Crew Dragon Endeavour that will ferry the Crew-8 astronauts to the International Space Station on behalf of NASA.

SpaceX ‘GO’ to launch Crew-8 astronauts March 1

NASA and SpaceX cleared their joint Crew-8 mission for a planned launch on March 1, 2024 to send four astronauts on a new mission to the International Space Station. Read our full story.  

A Falcon 9 rocket will launch the astronauts on the Crew Dragon Endeavour, which will make it fifth flight with the mission. Launching on the flight are: NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barrett, Jeannette Epps and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.

Dominick will command the Crew-8 flight to the ISS with Barrett as pilot. Epps and Grekenkin are mission specialists. The mission is the first career spaceflight for all but Barrett on the Crew-8 team.

SpaceX will launch the Crew-8 mission at 12:04 a.m. EST (0504 GMT) on Friday, March 1 from Pad 39A of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

SpaceX, NASA push ahead with Crew-6 undocking

NASA and SpaceX will push ahead to undock their Crew-6 Dragon spacecraft early Sunday (Sept. 3) and return four astronauts to Earth a day later in the wee hours of Monday, Sept. 4. 

In an update today, NASA announced that mission teams agreed to move forward with plans to undock the Crew-6 Dragon Endeavour from the International Space Station at 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT) on Sunday and press ahead with plans to land the Dragon off the coast of Florida at 12:15 a.m. EDT (0415 GMT) on Monday. 

“@NASA and @SpaceX are proceeding toward undocking at 7:05am ET Sept.3, with a splashdown just after midnight at 12:15am ET Sept.4, off Florida’s coast,” NASA wrote in an update on X (formerly known as Twitter).  “Weather conditions for splashdown are improving and will be evaluated ahead of the crew undocking.”

SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 return to Earth

NASA and SpaceX have pushed back the return to Earth for four Crew-6 astronauts due to bad weather at their splashdown site off the coast of Florida. 

Originally scheduled to undock from the International Space Station early on Sept. 2 and land overnight on Sept. 3, the astronauts will now undock no earlier than Sunday, Sept. 3, at 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT), with splashdown to follow at 12:07 a.m. (0407 GMT) the following day. 

“NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Saturday, Sept. 2, departure opportunities for the agency’s Crew-6 mission from the International Space Station due to unfavorable weather conditions near the splashdown sites off the coast of Florida,” NASA officials wrote in an update Friday morning (Sept. 1).  

Crew-7 opens Dragon hatch to ISS

Crew-7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli has confirmed that the Dragon Endurance capsule’s docking hatch to the International Space Station was opened a 10:58 a.m. EDT (1458 GMT), clearing their path to enter the station.

Moghbeli was the first to enter, followed by Andreas Mogensen of ESA, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos. The four crewmembers join seven others already aboard the station, raising its population to 11. 

After a series of safety briefings, the joint crew held a welcome ceremony to end their docking activities.

Crew-7 Dragon docks at space station

Crew-7 Dragon Endurance has successfully docked with the space-facing port on the International Space Station’s Harmony module at 9:16 a.m. ET (1316 GMT). 

“Guys, thank you for the welcome,” Crew-7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli radioed the ISS crew as the station played a traditional ship’s bell to welcome them.

Docking occurred as the station and Dragon were sailing 261 miles above Australia. Now that docking soft capture is complete, the station’s docking ring will retract so a series of hooks and latches can secure the Dragon to the station. Once leak checks are complete, the crew will then be able to open the hatches between their craft and the ISS and enter the station.

New docking time for Crew-7

SpaceX has set a new docking time for Crew-7. The Dragon Endurance capsule will now dock at 9:08 a.m. EDT (1308 GMT), about 3 minutes later than the earlier target. 

Dragon is now flying up ahead of the ISS as it loops around from below the station to a point above the station, where its space-facing docking port is on the Harmony module. 

Dragon nears ISS

SpaceX’s Crew-7 Dragon capsule is now about 1 mile from the International Space Station and the two spacecraft are within 400 meters of each other. Today’s docking is on track for 9:05 a.m. EDT (1305 GMT).  

New docking time for Crew 7

It’s docking day for NASA’s Crew-7 astronauts at the International Space Station and the timing for the day’s events has changed slightly. 

The Crew-7 astronauts – NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, commander; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, pilot; and mission specialists JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov – will now dock at the space station about 30 minutes later than planned, arriving at 9:05 a.m. EDT (1305 GMT) instead of 8:39 a.m. EDT (1239 GMT) as previously scheduled. NASA’s TV coverage will begin at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 GMT). 

Hatch opening between the two spacecraft is now set for 11:02 a.m. EDT (1502 GMT) with a welcome ceremony set for 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT). 

You can watch the docking live on Space.com in our docking livestream story here.

Crew-7 astronauts cruising toward ISS

The four astronauts of NASA and SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station are cruising through orbit as they head to their orbital destination following a stunning nighttime launch.  

NASA is providing live audio commentary with video from the International Space station when available and you can watch that above.  

The Crew-7 astronauts and their Dragon Endurance are scheduled to dock at the space station on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 8:39 a.m. EDT (1239 GMT). NASA’s live TV coverage will resume at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 GMT) that day, so you’ll be able to watch it live. 

In the meantime, you can learn all about Sasha, the Sloth, the plush toy that the Crew-7 astronauts selected as their zero-gravity indicator (and its fun backstory from Crew-7 pilot Andreas Morgensen of the European Space Agency).

Crew-7 astronauts settle into orbit

The Crew-7 astronauts are settling into their new orbital home and will soon doff their SpaceX spacesuits ahead of their 30-hour trip to to the International Space Station.  Read our launch story by Josh Dinner, who covered the launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. 

NASA’s live TV coverage of the Dragon Crew-7 flight has ended but the space agency is providing a live audio commentary on YouTube. You can follow along here and via the feed a the top of this page. 

‘Thanks for the ride. It was awesome!’

Crew-7 mission commander Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA thanked SpaceX for a smooth ride to orbit as the crew settles into their new weightless environment. 

“SpaceX, thanks for the ride. It was awesome,” Moghbeli said. “We may have four crew members on board from four different nations, Denmark, Japan, Russia and the United States, but we’re a united team with a common mission.”

The crew has taken a small plush toy of a three-toed sloth as its zero-gravity indicator. 

Touchdown and Nominal Orbit Insertion. Dragon is in orbit!

The first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has successfully returned to Earth to land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. Meanwhile, the second stage has shut down as planned, delivering Dragon to orbit. The spacecraft will soon separate from the upper stage to begin its 30-hour trip to the space station. 

MECO and Stage Separation.

MECO and stage separation for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The 2nd stage ignited as planned and is powering Crew Dragon Endurance toward orbit. The Falcon 9 1st stage is headed back to Earth.

LIFTOFF! SpaceX launches Crew-7 astronauts

LIFTOFF! SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon Endurance is launching the Crew-7 astronauts toward orbit. It should take about 8 minutes to reach low-Earth orbit. 

Stage 2 Falcon 9 fueling complete

SpaceX reports the Dragon and Falcon 9 are now fully fueled for launch. Just over 1 minute to launch.

Falcon 9 Stage 1 fueling complete

Fueling is complete for Falcon 9’s 1st stage. 2nd Stage fueling will be complete shortly. 

Dragon Endurance is now in terminal count for tonight’s launch.

SpaceX Dragon Endurance on internal power

The Dragon spacecraft is now on internal power for launch with minutes remaining for launch. SpaceX is retracting the strongback support used to raise Falcon 9 into its launch position. 

Falcon 9 Stage 1 RP-1 fueling complete

SpaceX reports its Falcon 9 first stage is fully filled with its RP-1 propellant for launch. Stage 2 fueling is will continue to just before liftoff. Both first and 2nd stages are also being fueled with their liquid oxygen supply needed for flight.

T-10 minutes to launch

SpaceX is now T-10 to launch and counting. This will be the 1st flight of the Falcon 9 1st stage powering this launch. 

SpaceX reports it is proceeding with the launch countdown as fueling continues. Launch controllers are still studying a potential sensor issue to determine if it may be an issue for launch. 

Liftoff still set for 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT).

T-20 minutes to launch: Fueling underway

SpaceX is fueling the the Falcon 9 rocket for tonight’s Crew Dragon launch with 20 minutes remaining in the launch pad. 

The launch team is watching a sensor issue that has come up, but it currently is not expected to affect the launch. All systems are GO for the 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT) launch. 

Retraction of the crew access arm and launch escape system arming

Following unanimous “go’s” from the SpaceX launch control team, mission controllers have proceeded with gantry retraction. The crew access arm at Launch Complex-39A has been swung away from Crew Dragon Endurance, as Crew-7 astronauts onboard inch closer to liftoff.  

The astronauts of Crew-7 have closed the visors on their spacesuits. Mission controllers have ordered the arming of Dragon’s launch escape system, which serves as a system for keeping the astronauts safe in case of emergency once fueling has begun, and through the end of their mission.

T-1 hour to liftoff

SpaceX and NASA are now 1 hour away from the instantaneous 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT) launch window. 

Polling for teams in mission control for “go/no go” station status checks will begin at T–45 minutes. Preparations for fast-fill fueling will begin shortly. A “go” poll across the board will keep the early morning launch on track, with crew access arm gantry retraction being the launches next major milestone, at T–40. The crew will then arm the launch escape system in preparation for fueling.

Crew Dragon Endurance hatch closed for launch

SpaceX closed the hatch to Crew Dragon Endurance at T-02:05:00, as final leak checks were performed and Crew-7 astronauts prepare for their launch to space. Communications checks with mission control and crew members are also underway. A launch escape system check was performed following hatch closure.

Crew-7 astronauts strap into Crew Dragon Endurance

After traversing the lengthy crew access arm attached to the tower at Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A) and signing their names to the gantry bulkhead – as is tradition before departing the planet – Crew-7 astronauts have strapped into their seats aboard Crew Dragon Endurance with the help of the SpaceX “ninja” team, and are undergoing seal checks prior to closing the Endurance hatch. 

Crew-7 astronauts and cosmonaut arrive at the launchpad

The quartet of Crew-7 astronauts riding SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance to the International Space Station (ISS), arrived at Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A) after a short ride in a pair of Tesla Model Xs, from the astronaut quarters at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. 

A quick pause to admire their launch vehicle, members of Crew-7 will ride the launch-tower elevator close to the top, and walk across the crew access arm to get strapped in and prepared for their 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT) instantaneous launch window. 

Crew-7 Astronauts depart astronaut quarters ahead of launch

 The internationally diverse crew of SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission departed the astronaut crew quarters at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) just after the turn from this night to this morning, at exactly 12:07 a.m. EDT (0407 GMT), Aug. 26. The crew members, who represent the space agencies of four different nations, entered a pair of black Tesla Model X’s with the license plates that read, “BYEEE.” 

Crew-7 launch stream has begun!

NASA’s livestream of SpaceX’s Crew-7 astronaut launch to the International Space Station has begun. Viewers are able to tune in from 11:30 p.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 25 (0330 GMT, Aug. 26) for the launch of four astronauts aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance.

Liftoff is scheduled for 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT), Aug. 26, from Launch Complex-39A, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. 

Tune in with Space.com to watch the livestream!

Weather is favorable hours ahead of Crew-7 launch

Six hours before the scheduled launch time, SpaceX posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that weather for tomorrow’s early morning launch is 95 percent favorable. NASA’s livestream for the mission begins at 11:30 p.m. EDT (0330 GMT, Aug. 26).

SpaceX Crew-7 launch to International Space Station delayed

SpaceX‘s Crew-7 astronaut launch to the International Space Station has been pushed back to Saturday (Aug. 26), roughly 24 hours past its first attempt at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.

“NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Friday, Aug. 25, launch opportunity for the agency’s Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station,” NASA officials said in an emailed statement Thursday night (Aug. 24). “Launch now is targeted at 3:27 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, for SpaceX’s seventh crew rotation mission to the microgravity laboratory for NASA. More to come.”

Read more: SpaceX, NASA delay launch of Crew-7 astronauts to International Space Station

SpaceX Crew-7 go for launch on Aug. 25

SpaceX Crew-7 passed its flight readiness review with no major issues, NASA officials said in a late-night update Thursday (Aug. 24). Weather conditions also are positive, according to Patrick Space Force Base, which manages the airspace in the region of the launch site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

The Crew-7 mission will launch to the International Space Station no earlier than Friday (Aug. 25) at 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 GMT) and you can watch live here at Space.com, via a feed from NASA Television. The broadcast will begin at Thursday (Aug. 24) at 11:45 p.m. EDT (0345 GMT Friday, Aug. 25). 

The astronauts for Expeditions 69/70: NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, the second Iranian-American in space; European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa; and Konstantin Borisov of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX launch Crew-7 astronauts for NASA early on Aug. 25 with free livestream

SpaceX Crew-7: What time will it launch Aug. 25?

The SpaceX Crew-7 mission will launch to the International Space Station no earlier than Friday (Aug. 25) at 3:49 a.m. EDT (0749 GMT) with four astronauts on board. 

The astronauts include NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Konstantin Borisov of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos.

Read more in our story below about how to watch live here at Space.com.

Related: What time will SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission launch on Aug. 25? Here’s how to watch live.

SpaceX astronauts are in Florida ahead of Aug. 25 launch

The SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday (Aug. 20) for their International Space Station launch. They will head to space no earlier than Aug. 25, and you can watch the whole thing live here at Space.com, via NASA TV.

On board is Jasmin Moghbeli, the second Iranian-American to reach space on Crew-7, and joining her is a fully international crew: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen.

Read more: SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of Aug. 25 launch (photos, video)

Crew-7 prepares for ISS launch

A fully international crew of four astronauts, each representing a different country, will fly on SpaceX Dragon capsule to the International Space Station for a six-month mission.

Known as Crew-7, they are slated to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center no earlier than Aug. 25, and you can watch the whole thing live here at Space.com, via NASA Television.

The crew members include NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Konstantin Borisov of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos. 

Read more: SpaceX’s Crew-7 mission will launch international crew to ISS

Crew-5 astronauts exit Crew Dragon Endurance

All four astronauts have been helped out of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance, marking an end to the Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station for NASA. You can read our full wrap of SpaceX’s Crew-5 astronaut splashdown now.

Crew-5 pilot Josh Cassada of NASA was the first to exit the capsule. He was followed quickly by NASA astronaut Nicole Mann, commander of the Crew-5 mission. Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata was the next to leave, and was all smiles as he was pulled from the capsule. Rounding out the crew was Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, who also wore a big smile as she left the capsule.

Each of the four astronauts was helped on to a stretcher after existing the Dragon and wheeled away for a medical check, a standard practice for returning crews of long-duration space missions. After those medical checks, the astronauts will return to Florida before separating to head back to their own space agency centers. 

NASA will hold a teleconference tonight at 10:30 p.m. EST (0230 GMT on March 12) about the splashdown. It will not be televised live on NASA TV. This marks the end of our Crew-5 splashdown coverage and thanks for reading, Space Fans! – Tariq malik

Dragon hatch opened for Crew-5 astronauts

SpaceX recovery crews have opened the side hatch on the Crew Dragon Endurance, giving the four Crew-5 astronauts their first breath of fresh air since they boarded the spacecraft in October 2022 for launch.

Crew Dragon Endurance on recovery ship

SpaceX has successfully recovered the Crew-5 Dragon Endurance and it is on the the recovery ship S.S. Shannon. 

Teams will begin opening the capsule’s side hatch to begin helping the crew out of the Dragon ship so they can begin medical checks after spending five months in space.

Splashdown! Crew-5 Dragon lands with crew of 4

Splashdown! After 157 days in space, the four Crew-5 astronauts on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance have splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. 

The spacecraft had a smooth reentry and splashdown, touching down upright in a stable condition. Recovery crews are already on the scene in fast boats with SpaceX’s main recovery ship on the way. 

“Thank you SpaceX, that was one heck of a ride! We’re happy to be home,” NASA astronaut Nicole Mann says.

Drogue chutes deployed for Crew-5 splashdown

Main parachutes are now deployed. Splashdown is imminent for Crew-5 astronauts. 

Crew-5 Dragon back in contact, parachute deploy next

The Crew-5 Dragon Endurance is back in communications contact with mission control. Up next will be the automatic drogue parachute deployment about 18,000 feet above the ocean’s surface while the capsule is traveling at 350 mph.

Crew-5 Dragon enters communications blackout

SpaceX’s Crew-5 Dragon capsule Endurance has entered an expected communications blackout zone as it plunges through Earth’s atmosphere and is enveloped in super-hot 3,000-degree F plasma during reentry. The blackout period should last 7 minutes.

The Dragon capsule is protected by an advance PICA heat shield that can withstand scorching hot temperatures as it streaks through the atmosphere. Once on the ground, Dragon capsules resembled burnt marshmallows from the scorch marks of reentry.

Crew-5 astronauts prepare for reentry

The four Crew-5 astronauts inside Crew Dragon Endurance reports they’ve closed and locked the visors of their SpaceX-issue spacesuits and prepared their capsule for reentry. 

The callout means Endurance is shipshape for its reentry, with all loose items stowed for landing.

Dragon closes nosecone for reentry

With its deorbit burn complete, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance is closing its nosecone for reentry.

During flight, the nosecone is open to expose its docking port to allow for rendezvous with the International Space Station. 

SpaceX Crew-5 deorbit burn complete

The Crew Dragon Endurance has completed a 10-minute deorbit burn with its Draco thrusters to place the spacecraft on track for a reentry and splashdown. 

Dragon is currently flying autonomously under the guidance of SpaceX’s mission operations center in Hawthorne, California. 

Returning home on Dragon are NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina. The four space travelers are completing a five-month mission in space. 

SpaceX Crew-5 Dragon prepares to leave orbit

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endurance is preparing to leave orbit for tonight’s Crew-5 astronaut splashdown off the coast of Florida at 9:02 p.m. EST (0202 GMT on March 12). 

The Dragon spacecraft has jettisoned its “trunk” service module, which contained its engine and solar arrays and other systems. It is now on internal battery power. 

The capsule will soon fire its Draco thrusters in a deorbit burn to place it on a trajectory to splash down off the coast of Tampa Bay in Florida. 

The Crew Dragon Endurance is returning to Earth with NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Josj Cassada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina of Roscosmos.

Watch Crew-5 come home from International Space Station

SpaceX’s Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Saturday (March 11). 

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying the Crew-5 roster — NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Nicole Mann, Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina and Japan’s Koichi Wakata — is expected to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) at 2:05 a.m. EST (0705 GMT) on Saturday, wrapping up five months in orbit.

You can watch the Dragon’s departure live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the agency.

Read more: Watch SpaceX Crew-5 astronauts leave the space station March 11 after delay

SpaceX releases incredible Crew-6 docking photos with International Space Station

SpaceX‘s Crew-6 astronaut mission arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) early Friday morning (March 3) and new pictures were released to show the occasion. The Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, docked with the ISS’s Harmony module at 1:40 a.m. EST (0640 GMT) on Friday, while the two spacecraft were flying off the coast of Somalia at an altitude of 261 miles (420 kilometers).

But that was an hour later than planned. SpaceX troubleshot a faulty sensor with one of the 12 hooks that helps the capsule connect to the ISS. Ground teams sent a software override that fixed the issue.

Read more: SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronauts arrive at space station after hour-long delay

Docking success!

The Crew-6 mission’s Dragon capsule Endeavour docked with the International Space Station at 1:40 a.m. EST (0640 GMT) on Friday (March 3), ending a roughly 25-hour orbital chase. 

Endeavour was actually in position to dock about an hour earlier, but the capsule held off while SpaceX troubleshot an issue with a faulty docking-hook sensor on the capsule. A beamed-up software override solved the problem, freeing Endeavour to connect with the orbiting lab’s Harmony module. Read our docking story.

Crew-6 Dragon is go for docking!

SpaceX has managed to troubleshoot the docking-hook issue, and the Crew-6 Dragon Endeavour is go for docking once again. The meetup will happen soon, if all goes according to plan.

Crew-6 docking delayed by docking-hook glitch

The Crew-6 Dragon Endeavour is holding about 65 feet (20 meters) from the International Space Station due to an issue with one of the hooks that helps it dock with the orbiting lab. SpaceX is attempting to troubleshoot the issue. The affected hook is apparently the same one that experienced issues opening Endeavour’s nose cone shortly after liftoff on Thursday (March 2).

Crew-6 Dragon is nearly there!

SpaceX’s Crew-6 Dragon Endeavour is in the home stretch of its approach to the International Space Station. The capsule remains on target to dock around 12:43 a.m. EST (0543 GMT), just a few minutes from now.

Crew-6 Dragon in view of space station

The Crew-6 Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, has come in view of the International Space Station. Endeavour remains on track to dock with the orbiting lab at 12:43 a.m. EST (0543 GMT) on Friday (March 3).

Crew-6 docking schedule accelerated

SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission for NASA is now scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 12:43 a.m. EST (0543 GMT) on Friday (March 3). That’s 34 minutes ahead of the previously announced schedule, which predicted a 1:17 a.m. EST (0617 GMT) docking. You can watch all of the action live here at Space.com.

Crew-6 astronauts begin first full day in space

The astronauts of Crew-6 are undertaking their first day in space after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 early this morning (12:34 a.m. EST, 0634 GMT) towards the International Space Station.

Docking coverage will begin at 11:30 p.m. EST tonight (0430 GMT Saturday, March 3). Coverage is available here at Space.com, via NASA Television. Assuming the docking goes on time, these are the milestones to look for:

• 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 GMT): Docking with the ISS occurs. 
• 3:27 a.m. EST (0827 GMT): Hatch opening with the ISS occurs.
• 3:40 a.m. EST (0840 GMT): The welcome ceremony at the ISS begins.

NASA, SpaceX to hold post-launch press conference

With SpaceX’s Crew-6 Dragon in orbit, NASA has ended its live broadcast but you can still follow along with a live audio feed from NASA on YouTube. The live mission audio is accompanied by video views from the International Space Station.

At about 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT), NASA and SpaceX will host a post-launch press conference to discuss today’s launch. It will be webcast live on NASA TV and on the Space.com homepage.

Participants in the briefing will be:

• Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington
• Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy 
• Dina Contella, operations integration manager, International Space Station Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
• Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Program, SpaceX
• Salem AlMarri, director general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre

SpaceX Dragon Endeavour opens nose cone

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour has successfully opened its nose cone, exposing its docking port for the eventual arrival at the International Space Station. 

The nose cone deployed a bit late and only after flight controllers switched it to a backup motor after an apparent glitch with its primary motor. They are studying the issue ahead of Dragon’s planned docking at the station at 1:17 a.m. EST on Friday, March 3.

SpaceX Crew-6 Dragon astronauts in orbit

Spacecraft separation! The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour has successfully separated from its Falcon 9 rocket upper stage and is flying free in orbit. 

This is the fourth flight of Endeavour by SpaceX and all four astronauts said it was a smooth and exhilarating ride to space.

“Dragon is a miracle of engineering and I’m lucky that I get to fly on this amazing machine,” pilot Woody Hoburg of NASA radioed to SpaceX’s mission operations center in Hawthorne, California.

Touchdown! Falcon 9 rocket lands on drone ship after launch

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has landed on its drone ship Just Read The Instructions while the 2nd stage has shut down in a nominal orbit. 

This was the first flight of this particular Falcon 9 rocket.

Falcon 9 Stage 1 entry burn complete

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket 1st stage has successful fired its engines for a reentry burn as it heads back to Earth to land on a drone ship. Meanwhile, the Dragon capsule has entered a nominal orbit and shut its engine down.

Stage separation of Falcon 9 rocket

Stage Separation! The 1st stage of the Falcon 9 rocket has separated from its upper stage and is headed back to Earth. It will attempt to land on SpaceX’s drone ship Just Read The Instructions about 200 miles off  the Florida coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

Meanwhile, the upper stage powered by its single Merlin engine is continuing its climb to space.

“Dragon, SpaceX, nominal trajectory,” SpaceX launch controllers said.

Here’s a better capture of the launch a few minutes ago. — Tariq Malik

LIFTOFF! SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Crew-6 astronauts

With a roar of its 9 1st stage Merlin engines, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Pad 39A to launch four Crew-6 astronauts to the International Space Station. Launch occurred on time at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT). 

Falcon 9 rocket’s strongback retracts, Dragon on internal power

SpaceX’s “strongback” support structure has retracted clear of the Falcon 9 rocket to set the stage for tonight’s launch of four Crew-6 astronauts. The strongback supports the propellant and other plumbing lines used to fuel the Falcon 9 rocket before flight.

The Crew Dragon Endeavour is now on internal power. This is the fourth flight for Endeavour.

Crew-6 ready to launch

With just minutes remaining before SpaceX launches the Crew-6 mission for NASA, the crew’s commander Stephen Bowen had some final words for the SpaceX launch team. 

Bowen praised the team for standing down from an initial launch attempt on Monday, Feb. 27. He said his crew is ready to go.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends,” Bowen said. “Crew-6 is ready for launch.”

Liftoff is on track for 12:34 a.m. EST, minutes from now.

SpaceX fueling Falcon 9 rocket for Crew-6 launch

SpaceX is fueling the Falcon 9 rocket for tonight’s Crew-6 astronaut launch from Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Fueling began about 35 minutes before launch and is 80% complete, Space’s Kate Tice reports. The RP-1 fuel has been loaded on the upper stage and is currently being loaded into the first stage of the Falcon 9. Liquid oxygen, an oxidizer, is being loaded into the upper stage. 

Live video from NASA and SpaceX show a vast plume venting from the rocket, a normal occurrence, as it is fueled for launch. The weather looks pristine for tonight’s launch, with just a 5% chance of bad weather.

Crew-6 astronauts close visors, arm escape system

The four Crew-6 astronauts on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour have closed the visors on their launch suits. 

SpaceX launch control also gave the crew the “go” to arm Dragon’s launch escape system. Dragon capsules use a launch escape system powered by eight SuperDraco thrusters on the vehicle that rip it free of a Falcon 9 rocket in case of an emergency.  That system is now armed, the crew says.

SpaceX GO for Crew-6 launch, gantry moves clear

SpaceX launch controllers have given the final “GO” for the Crew-6 launch and have moved the Crew Access Arm, the gantry astronauts use to walk to their Dragon capsule, clear of the Falcon 9 rocket. 

Liftoff is on track for 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT). 

T-1 hour to launch

SpaceX is now 1 hour away from the 12:34 a.m. ET launch of the Crew-6 astronaut mission for NASA. 

At about 45 minutes before launch, SpaceX’s launch director will conduct a poll of the SpaceX and NASA mission teams in a final “go/no go” check for launch. So far, the launch countdown has gone relatively smoothly for tonight’s launch.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing to begin the fast-fill fueling process for the Falcon 9 rocket. 

Crew Dragon hatch closed for launch

SpaceX has closed the hatch the to the Crew Dragon Endeavour and are preparing for final leak checks. Meanwhile, with the hatch closed, the Crew-6 astronauts are performing a final round of communications checks with their launch director, mission control center and other ground stations.

Crew-6 comm and suit checks complete, hatch closing soon

SpaceX and NASA launch control have completed communications checks with the four Crew-6 astronauts and pressurized their pressure suits to check their integrity ahead of tonight’s launch. 

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s close-out crew is preparing to close the hatch to Crew Dragon to prepare it for liftoff. 

Crew-6 astronauts enter Crew Dragon Endeavour

The four Crew-6 astronauts have entered their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule and are strapping into their seats. A team of SpaceX “ninjas” – known for their black, ninja-like jumpsuits – are helping strap them down for launch and make sure they have their pressure suits zippered shut and equipment like a tablet for tracking their ascent and other tools. — Tariq Malik 

Crew-6 astronauts arrive at the launchpad

NASA’s Crew-6 astronauts have arrived at their Pad 39A launch pad to meet their SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule. The four astronauts arrived in pairs inside their SpaceX Tesla vehicles. 

After takin a look at their rocket, they’ll take an elevator up to the gantry level, make some phone calls to bid farewell to friends and family, and then ingress their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

Crew-6 astronauts walk out ahead of launch

The four Crew-6 astronauts walked out of their astronaut quarters at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida tonight (March 1) at around 9:15 p.m. EST (0215 GMT on March 2). The crewmembers got into black Teslas for the 20-minute drive over to KSC’s Launch Complex 39A.

Crew-6 launch stream has begun!

NASA’s webcast of SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch to the International Space Station is underway. The livestream began at 8:45 p.m. EST on Wednesday (March 1; 0145 GMT on March 2). It’s silent for now but won’t be for long; commentary is scheduled to begin at 9:10 p.m. EST (0210 GMT), according to NASA.

Launch is still a ways off, however; Crew-6 is scheduled to lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT) on Thursday. 

SpaceX, NASA confirm Thursday (March 2) launch for Crew-6

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will officially reattempt launch of the Crew-6 mission Thursday (March 2) at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT) and you can watch the event here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television. Weather conditions are 95% favorable for launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in coastal Florida.

“NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission is ‘Go’ for launch to the International Space Station following completion of a launch readiness review, weather briefing, and mission management meeting,” agency officials wrote in a blog post Wednesday (March 1).

A launch attempt Monday (Feb. 27) to the International Space Station (ISS) had been called off 2.5 minutes before T-0 due to a ground-system issue, but NASA said the issue has been addressed. 

SpaceX and NASA found a problem with ignition fluid, called triethylaluminum triethylboron or TEA-TEB, that sparks the oxidizer for the engines to turn on.

“During prelaunch, the TEA-TEB fluid⁠—which originates in a ground supply tank⁠— flows to the rocket’s interface and back to a catch tank to remove gas from the ground plumbing,” NASA officials wrote. “During engine start, the fluid then flows to the engines for ignition. Flow into the catch tank is one of several parameters used to determine that the fluid has been properly bled into the system.”

A clogged ground filter reducing the flow to a TEA-TEB catch tank caused the issue and that filter has been replaced. The TEA-TEB nitrogen line was also purged with nitrogen and everything has been cleared for launch.

Following launch, Crew-6 and its four astronauts are scheduled to dock with the Harmony module at the ISS at 1:17 a.m. EST (0617 GMT) on Friday (March 3). Hatch opening is expected at 3:27 a.m. EST and the welcome ceremony at 3:40 a.m. EST. Space.com will also carry these events, courtesy of NASA.

Less than T-2 days to SpaceX Crew-6 launch date

Pending review of the issue that held up a launch attempt Monday (Feb. 27), SpaceX and NASA are still targeting a new liftoff date of Thursday, March 2 at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT). We will carry coverage here on Space.com, via NASA Television.

NASA and SpaceX officials are planning a press conference to discuss results of the ongoing review, but have not yet announced timing. Should the launch go on March 2, docking with the International Space Station is scheduled for Friday, March 3 at 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 GMT).

New launch date for Crew-6 on Thursday (March 2)

SpaceX and NASA have announced a tentative new launch date of Thursday, March 2 at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT) due to unfavorable weather on Tuesday (Feb. 28), which was the next possible opportunity following the scrub. Should the launch go on March 2, docking with the International Space Station is scheduled for Friday, March 3 at 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 GMT).

Scrub!

The planned Crew-6 launch attempt was scrubbed with less than 2.5 minutes left in the countdown on Feb. 27 due to a ground-system issue with the ignition fluid that helps light the Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage engines. The next possible launch opportunity will come Feb. 28 at 1:22 a.m. EST (0622 GTM).

Read our Crew-6 scrub story.

Crew-6 go for fueling and launch

Mission managers for SpaceX and NASA polled ‘go’ for launch of the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station. Falcon 9 rocket propellant loading will now begin, and the flight’s launch escape system will be armed.

Launch is still slated for 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Watch it live here at Space.com courtesy of NASA.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch live online

Hatch closed on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour

Flight crews have closed the hatch on the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft that will carry NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Steve Bowen, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, and the United Arab Emirates’s Sultan Alneyadi to the International Space Station.

SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut mission is still on track for launch at 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Watch it live here on Space.com courtesy of NASA.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch live online

Crew-6 astronauts enter Crew Dragon Endeavour

The four crew members of SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission have entered the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft that will take them to the International Space Station after launching atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Pre-launch communication checks were performed without issue.

Before entering the spacecraft, each of the four Crew-6 astronauts signed their names around a NASA “meatball” logo inside the White Room, an area at the end of the crew access arm that leads into the Endeavour spacecraft.

As the crewmates board the Crew Dragon spacecraft, their seats are in an upright position. Prior to closure of the spacecraft’s hatch, their seats will rotate into a reclined position for the flight slated to launch at 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT).

Read more: How to watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch live online

SpaceX Crew-6 crewmembers walk out to head to launch pad

The crew of SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut mission have begun their trip to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The four crewmembers walked out in their white SpaceX spacesuits and shared a few last goodbyes with family and friends before entering Tesla SUVs that will drive them to the pad.

The mission consists of Sultan Al-Neyadi, the first United Arab Emirates astronaut to perform a long-duration space mission, NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and Andrey Fedyaev of Russian space agency Roscosmos.

Launch is scheduled for 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT) on Monday (Feb. 27). Watch it live here on Space.com courtesy of NASA.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch live online

SpaceX, NASA say Crew-6 astronaut mission is on track to launch tomorrow (Feb. 27)

SpaceX is on track to launch the Crew-6 astronaut mission for NASA on Monday (Feb. 27) at 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, mission managers said during a prelaunch teleconference on Saturday (Feb. 25). The mission will see an international crew of four launch to the International Space Station (ISS).

“The crews are doing great. Spirits are high and they are they are ready to go,” said Dana Weigel, NASA’s Deputy ISS Program Manager.

Benji Reed, senior director of SpaceX’s Human Spaceflight Program, said the flight hardware is ready for Monday’s mission. “We’ve done multiple reviews and we’ll continue to look at the data, the hardware and ensure that we’re ready to fly these great folks and bring them home to their families when it’s time.”

Coverage of the Crew-6 mission begins on Sunday (Feb. 26) at 10:15 p.m. EST (0315 GMT). You can watch it live on Space.com courtesy of NASA.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut launch live online

SpaceX tests Crew-6 rocket ahead of Monday (Feb. 27) launch

A Falcon 9 rocket performed a static fire for SpaceX on Friday (Feb. 24) with its Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule on top. The dress rehearsal was one of the last milestones before SpaceX launches four astronauts on the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station on Monday (Feb. 27). Liftoff is scheduled for 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT) and you’ll be able to watch it live on Space.com.

Read more: SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of Crew-6 astronaut launch for NASA (photos)

SpaceX rocket readied for Crew-6 launch on Monday

The Crew-6 ride to space is now vertical on the launch pad. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was put in position today (Feb. 23) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in anticipation of launch Monday (Feb. 26). 

“An integrated static fire test and dry dress rehearsal with the crew will occur prior to liftoff,” NASA officials wrote in a blog post. The launch is still targeted to send Crew-6 and a Crew Dragon spacecraft aloft at 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT), pending the successful result of the test.

SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 by one day

After a lengthy flight readiness review (FRR) on Tuesday (Feb. 21), NASA and SpaceX will delay the Crew-6 liftoff by 24 hours. 

Now a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch Crew-6’s Dragon capsule Endeavour on Monday (Feb. 27) at 1:45 a.m. EST (0645 GMT). You can watch it live here at Space.com when the time comes.

Read more: SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 astronaut launch to Feb. 27

SpaceX’s Crew-6 to arrive at launch area ahead of flight readiness review

The four crew members of SpaceX’s Crew-6 will arrive at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center today to prepare for final launch activities. On board are the first United Arab Emirates astronaut to perform a long-duration mission (Sultan Al-Neyadi), NASA astronauts Warren “Woody” Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and Andrey Fedyaev of Russian space agency Roscosmos.

The crew arrival media event will start at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT) on NASA Television and you can look at how to watch live here. The Flight Readiness Review media teleconference is also tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. EST (2300 GMT) depending on when the review finishes today. We will carry that review live on Space.com and you can look at other ways to watch live here. 

Watch SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronaut flight live online

Crew-6 will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) no sooner than Feb. 26. The four astronauts will ride to the orbital lab aboard SpaceX‘s Falcon 9 rocket and dock with the ISS less than a day later. 

Here’s our guide to how to watch all the mission activities online, from pre-launch activities to the docking and beyond. 

SpaceX Dragon will be ‘lifeboat’ if ISS crew requires it

A SpaceX Dragon capsule was modded this week to include an extra astronaut seat. On Wednesday (Jan. 18), NASA started moving agency astronaut Frank Rubio’s seat liner from a Russian Soyuz spacecraft over to Endurance, the Dragon spacecraft that’s flying SpaceX‘s ongoing Crew-5 mission for NASA.

The in-orbit changes to the International Space Station spacecraft were made in the wake of Soyuz losing its coolant last month following an apparent debris or micrometeoroid strike. 

Read more: SpaceX Dragon capsule to be 5-person ‘lifeboat’ in event of ISS emergency

SpaceX plans to build fifth and final Crew Dragon for ISS missions

SpaceX plans to supply a fifth (and final) Crew Dragon for International Space Station astronaut missions “in the 2024 timeframe”, officials said during a phone call last month ahead of the successful launch and docking of a cargo Dragon spacecraft in late November.

In September, NASA requested several more commercial crew missions from SpaceX, which Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management at SpaceX, called an “exciting commercial human spaceflight manifest” in a Nov. 18 briefing with reporters.

Some SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft are being used for private industry, including a November announcement that will see two Saudi astronauts go to the ISS aboard Axiom Space missions.

Crew-5 astronauts play baseball in space station to celebrate World Series

Crew-5 stepped up to the plate on the International Space Station to celebrate Game 1 of the World Series, which is seeing the NASA Johnson Space Center hometown team (the Houston Astros) facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies.

“We’re super excited to watch the World Series come back to Space City,” NASA astronaut Josh Cassada says in the Oct. 29 video posted by Major League Baseball’s Twitter account, which briefly highlights the space station’s role in preparing for future moon and Mars missions.

Read more: ‘Play ball!’ Space station astronauts celebrate World Series with an orbital pitch

Returned SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts have space station ideas

The SpaceX Crew-4 cohort of four astronauts, who returned to Earth on Oct. 14, have some great ideas for space station design after their recent mission on the International Space Station (ISS).

“I think we need to really start thinking out of the box on a lot of these things. But first and foremost, if we’re going to do human exploration, you got to put the ‘human’ in the equation,” said Crew-4 pilot and NASA astronaut Bob Farmer in a press conference Thursday (Oct. 20).

Read more: Rooms with a view: Astronauts have design ideas for new space stations

‘Watty burgers’ and cosplay forged Crew-4’s teamwork in orbit

Close teamwork is essential on the International Space Station, and the Crew-4 astronauts shared two strategies for forging that during a post-flight press conference Thursday (Oct. 20): food and cosplay.

Crew-4 mission specialist Jessica Watkins invented a special “Watty burger” so delicious that her spacecraft commander, Kjell Lindgren, created food challenges in orbit. “I became notorious for putting more food into a tortilla than was probably wise, or possible,” Lindgren recalled. “One night, Bob [Farmer, a NASA astronaut] was witness to a triple-decker — I put an extra side in there — and he claimed I unhinged my jaw to be able to eat.”

Meanwhile, Crew-4 astronaut and Expedition 67 commander Samantha Cristoforetti found herself in a thrift store on a spare time quest to replicate an iconic scene from the 1968 movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” “That is not something that I would buy for myself, normally,” she said, “but it seemed to fit perfectly for that need.”

Read more: This space station astronaut’s ‘2001’ cosplay in orbit began with Velcro and thrift store duds (video)

Crew-4 astronauts out of spacecraft as recovery concludes

The Crew-4 astronauts are all out of their SpaceX spacecraft as they start recovery back on Earth: NASA’s Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins along with the European Space Agency’s Samantha Cristoforetti. You can read more about the successful International Space Station mission, which lasted 5.5 months, in our wrap story on the mission.

Crew-4 splashes down

The SpaceX Crew-4 splashed down successfully near Jacksonville, Florida at 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT). 

Crew-4 jettisons trunk successfully

The SpaceX Crew-4 has jettisoned the “trunk”, an unpressurized cargo hold that also supports Crew Dragon during space operations. The International Space Station crew of four remains on track for splashdown near Jacksonville, Florida at 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT). You can watch live at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television.

Crew-4 finishes ‘prop waste’ burn on journey home

SpaceX‘s Crew-4 successfully finished a normal “prop waste” burn on the journey home to get rid of excess propellant ahead of re-entry. They finished the seven-minute engine burn at 2:44 p.m. EDT (1844 GMT) and remain on track to splash down near Jacksonville, Florida at 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT).

SpaceX’s Crew-4 still on target for 4:55 pm ET splashdown

The SpaceX Crew-4 Dragon capsule Freedom performed its third deorbit burn on schedule today (Oct. 14) at 1:45 p.m. EDT (1745 GMT), keeping the vehicle on target for a splashdown off the coast of Jacksonville at around 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT).

Freedom will come in for that landing from the northwest and may be visible in the skies above stretches of the Midwest and Southeast in the minutes before splashdown, according to NASA. 

Crew-4 undocks from International Space Station

The SpaceX Crew-4 undocked from the International Space Station at 12:05 p.m. EDT (1605 GMT) and prepared for a set of departure burns ahead of splashdown. Nominal splashdown is expected later today around 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT) near Jacksonville, Florida. You can watch live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television or read our departure story.

Crew-4 delays undocking to 12:05 p.m. EDT

Crew-4 will delay their undocking from the International Space Station about 30 minutes to 12:05 p.m. EDT (1605 GMT) to “check the hatch alignment” on their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, according to NASA Television.

NASA has not yet disclosed if the splashdown time will change, except to say there is a one-hour window for undocking and the timing now falls in the middle of that window. Splashdown is expected at roughly 4:55 p.m. EDT (2055 GMT). Live coverage is ongoing here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television.

Crew-4 closes hatch to International Space Station

SpaceX Crew-4 has closed the hatch to the International Space Station ahead of an expected undocking at 11:35 a.m. EDT (1535 GMT) for splashdown later today. Watch live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television.

Crew-4 hatch closing set for 9:30 a.m. EDT

Crew-4 plans to close the hatch to its SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT) ahead of departing the International Space Station. You can watch live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television.

Crew-4 delays undocking again to Friday (Oct. 14)

Crew-4’s undocking from the International Space Station will be delayed to no earlier than Friday (Oct. 14) at 11:35 a.m. EDT (1535 GMT), officials announced on NASA Television today (Oct. 13).

This is the second waveoff of undocking due to poor weather conditions in Florida, following another on Wednesday (Oct. 12). Splashdown is also delayed from an expected timing of today. 

You can watch the events live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA Television.

Crew-4 splashdown delayed due to weather

SpaceX Crew-4’s Dragon capsule, Freedom, is scheduled to undock from the orbiting lab Thursday at 10:05 a.m. EDT (1405 GMT), NASA officials said in a blog post Wednesday (Oct. 13). This is a delay from Wednesday evening due to weather.

“Mission teams continue to monitor a cold front passing over Florida with the potential to bring high winds and rainy weather near the splashdown zones off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts,” agency officials stated in the blog post. “Mission teams will continue to monitor splashdown and recovery conditions, with another weather review around six hours prior to undocking.”

You can watch it live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency.

Crew-4 gives farewell remarks before departing ISS today

At 10:05 a.m. EDT (1405 GMT), the four Crew-4 astronauts will give some farewell remarks. European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who is the current ISS commander — will transfer command to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev at that time.

Crew-4’s Dragon capsule, Freedom, is set to undock from the space station Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT), NASA officials said in an emailed statement on Tuesday evening (Oct. 11). You can watch it live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency.

Read more: Watch SpaceX Crew-4 mission depart space station today (Oct. 12)

Crew-5 astronauts enter the ISS

The Crew-5 astronauts are now aboard the International Space Station. The four spaceflyers reached the orbiting lab aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endurance at 5:01 p.m. EDT (2101 GMT). Nearly two hours later, the astronauts floated from Endurance to the ISS, beginning a five-month stay on the station. Read our Crew-5 docking story.

Crew-5 Dragon docks with space station

SpaceX’s Crew-5 mission has made it to the International Space Station. The Crew-5 Dragon capsule, named Endurance, made contact with the orbiting lab today (Oct. 6) at 5:01 p.m. EDT (2101 GMT) and wrapped up its docking operations about 10 minutes later. 

The four Crew-5 astronauts are scheduled to enter the station at 6:42 p.m. EDT (2242 GMT). Watch that milestone, as well as a welcome ceremony at 8:05 p.m. EDT (0005 GMT on Oct. 7), live here at Space.com.

Read more: SpaceX’s Crew-5 astronaut mission arrives at the International Space Station

It’s Docking Day for Crew-5 astronauts

The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station will spend the first full day of their mission in space today, and it’s a big one.

Photo Gallery: SpaceX’s Crew-5 astronaut launch in amazing images

The Crew-5 Dragon capsule Endurance is due to dock at the International Space Station today at 4:57 p.m. EDT (2057 GMT) to ferry NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Josh Cassada, astronaut Soichi Wakata of Japan and cosmonaut Anna Kikina of Russia to the station. 

NASA TV is providing continuous coverage of the Crew-5 mission to the space station and you can watch that on our Crew-5 webcast page. 

You’ll likely want to tune it at least an hour before docking to see views of the Dragon capsule on approach to the space station. 

After docking, NASA will show live coverageof the hatches opening between Dragon and the space station (that’s scheduled for 6:42 p.m. EDT/2242 GMT) and then a welcome ceremony of both Crew-5 and ISS crews at 8:05 p.m. EDT (0005 GMT). 

SpaceX Crew-5 astronauts in good shape after launch

NASA, SpaceX and their international partners from Japan and Russian hailed today’s successful launch of four astronauts on the Crew-5 mission in a post-flight crew conference. Check out some amazing photos of the SpaceX Crew-5 launch from today.

Sergei Krikalev, the famed cosmonaut who oversees Roscosmos‘ cosmonaut corps, called the launch the start of a “new phase” of international cooperation that dates back to the Apollo-Soyuz project of 1975. 

“We just continue what was started many years ago in 1975 when the Apollo-Soyuz crew flew and went together,” Krikalev said. 

SpaceX’s  Sarah Walker, director Dragon mission management, said that the company has now launched 30 people into space with Crew-5, a major milestone for the company’s human spaceflight program.

NASA, SpaceX Crew-5 post launch press conference now

NASA and SpaceX are holding a press conference at 1:30 pm ET (1730 GMT) to discuss today’s successful launch to the International Space Station.

You can watch it live at our Crew-5 livestream page.

SpaceX Crew-5 Endurance Capsule en route to ISS

SpaceX’s Crew-5 Dragon Endurance has begun its journey to the International Space Station after a smooth launch from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Read our full Crew-5 launch story.

Crew-5 astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, both of NASA, and Soichi Wakata of Japan and Anna Kikina of Russia got the “go” to remove the SpaceX-issue space suits they work for launch as they begin the 35-hour trip to the International Space Station. 

Inside Endurance, a small Albert Einstein doll is floating around as the zero gravity indicator for the crew to honor Einstein’s “happiest thought.” 

“That thought was ‘a person in freefall wouldn’t feel their own weight,'” Cassada, Crew-5’s pilot, said during a livestream broadcast from space. “That thought, along with some others that he built upon, led to general relativity and our understanding of gravitation and the curvature of space-time.”

We’re experiencing Einstein’s happiest thought continuously as the International Space Station has been doing continuously for over20 years. On Crew-5, we call this little guy our freefall indicator. We’re here to tell you there’s plenty of gravity up here, in fact that’s what’s keeping us in orbit right now and preventing trip on the Crew Dragon from being a one-way trip.” 

Cassada then waxed a bit poetically.  

“A little bit like life, we live in the same world, we live in the same universe. Sometimes we experience it in a very different way from our neighbors,” he said. “If we can all keep that in mind, hopefully we can all continue to do absolutely amazing things, and do it together.”

Crew-5 thanks ground teams for safe arrival in space

The individual members of Crew-5 thanked their ground support teams, in their respective languages, for their safe arrival in space as they make their way to the International Space Station. The NASA-led mission flew into orbit successfully aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

“Thank you so much to the Falcon team. That was a smooth ride up here,” NASA astronaut and spacecraft commander Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman in space, said in her comments. Also delivering thanks were NASA’s Josh Cassada, Russia’s Anna Kikina (in Russian) and Japan’s Koichi Wakata (in Japanese.)

SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage lands upon drone ship

SpaceX‘s Falcon 9 rocket landed safely upon a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean as Crew-5 finished a normal orbit insertion in space.

Crew Dragon remains on its way to the International Space Station, sending the first Native American woman (NASA astronaut Nicole Mann) to space along with crewmates Josh Cassada (NASA), Koichi Wakata (Japan) and Anna Kikina (Roscosmos).

First stage separation complete on Crew-5

Crew-5 finished its first stage separation on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 on its way to the  International Space Station, after sending the first Native American woman towards space at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

On board are two NASA astronauts (Native American Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada), a Russian cosmonaut (Anna Kikina) and a Japanese astronaut (Koichi Wakata). 

Liftoff of Crew-5

Crew-5 is on its way to the International Space Station, sending the first Native American woman towards space at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

A SpaceX Crew Dragon, riding on a Falcon 9, soared off Launch Pad 39A from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after a near-flawless countdown. 

On board are two NASA astronauts (Native American Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada), a Russian cosmonaut (Anna Kikina) and a Japanese astronaut (Koichi Wakata). They will spend half a year in space.

Kikina is the first Russian cosmonaut to fly on a commercial spacecraft, and the first Russian on board any U.S. spacecraft since 2002.

Crew-5 thanks support team before launch

Crew-5 NASA astronaut Nicole Mann sent a thank-you message to support teams and family about seven minutes ahead of their expected launch to the International Space Station at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

“A special thanks on behalf of all the crew to our family and friends,” said Mann, who will be the first Native American woman in space. “It is your love and support that helps make dreams come true. Now let’s do this.”

T-10 minutes to launch

Everything remains go for Crew-5 to launch at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) to the International Space Station at about T-10 minutes.

The mission will send two NASA astronauts (Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada), a Russian cosmonaut (Anna Kikina) and a Japanese astronaut (Koichi Wakata) into space for six months, lifting off on a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

Mann will be the first Native American woman in space and Kikina the first Russian cosmonaut on board a commercial spacecraft. Kikina is also the first Russian on any U.S. spacecraft since 2002.

T-15 minutes to Crew-5 launch

Crew-5 is about T-15 minutes from launch at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) to the International Space Station. 

If all goes to plan, a SpaceX Crew Dragon will bear two NASA astronauts (Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada), a Russian cosmonaut (Anna Kikina) and a Japanese astronaut (Koichi Wakata) into space for a half-year mission. Mann will be the first Native American woman in space and Kikina the first Russian cosmonaut on board a commercial spacecraft.

Launch teams are topping up the Falcon 9 rocket’s fuel and there remain no major issues for weather or technical reasons.

T-30 minutes to launch

Crew-5 is about T-30 minutes from launch at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) to the International Space Station. The forecast for weather remains excellent and there are no technical issues so far during the countdown.

‘Go’ for crew access arm to retract

Launch controllers monitoring the Crew-5 NASA launch, conducted by SpaceX, just gave the “go” to retract the crew access arm to the Falcon 9 rocket set to bear four people to the International Space Station and the arm is moving away as planned.

Launch remains set for 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) with no major weather or technical issues being tracked.

SpaceX closeout team leaves crew access arm to Falcon 9 rocket

The SpaceX closeout team has just left the crew access arm that allows servicing of the Falcon 9 rocket, which means Crew-5 is one step closer to its scheduled launch today to the International Space Station. Launch time remains set for 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) with no major technical or weather issues so far.

SpaceX spacecraft hatch closed

Following removal of a small hair temporarily interfering with the spacecraft seal, the hatch has been closed on the SpaceX spacecraft and safety checks are ongoing. Crew-5 is readying for their launch to the International Space Station, which so far remains on track. 

NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, along with Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, are set to go into space at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

All spacesuit pressures verified for launch

NASA astronaut Josh Cassada’s spacesuit has just been cleared for the launch to proceed. The launch remains on time for an expected 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) liftoff to the International Space Station.

Spacesuit pressure verification ongoing

NASA and SpaceX are examining NASA astronaut Josh Cassada’s spacesuit pressure, which is a bit lower than usual. His zippers and umbilical have been verified as nominal and Cassada is doing another check while seated in the SpaceX spacecraft.

Crew-5 begins going into SpaceX Crew Dragon

The four members of Crew-5 are starting to go into the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, according to NASA Television. 

Crew-5 members react to SpaceX rocket

Two Crew-5 members, emerging from their Teslas, craned their necks and backs up to gaze at the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If all goes to plan, at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) the rocket should blast off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A to fly to the International Space Station.

Crew-5 arrives at launch pad

After a procession from the heart of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Crew-5 has arrived at Launch Pad 39A for their scheduled launch to the International Space Station. The crew is expected to lift off at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT). Coverage continues here at Space.com and live on NASA Television.

Crew-5 performs walkout

The members of Crew-5 have just performed the traditional walkout at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida on their way to the launch pad. As shown on NASA Television, they emerged in front of a crowd of well-wishers and climbed into a Tesla to drive to the pad. 

Scheduled to fly into space today are NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.

Coverage begins on NASA Television

Coverage concerning Crew-5’s launch has just begun live on NASA Television. Launch is slated for 12 p.m. EDT.

SpaceX will send four people to the International Space Station (ISS), including the first Native American woman in space and the first Russian cosmonaut on a commercial spacecraft. 

Crew members include NASA astronauts Nicole Mann (who will become the first Native American woman in space as a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in northern California) and Josh Cassada, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina.

Updates are available here at Space.com, via NASA Television, and updates are also flowing on the NASA website, app and social media.

Read more: How to watch SpaceX launch the Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA today online 

It’s Launch Day for Crew-5!

It’s launch day for NASA’s Crew-5 astronauts as they prepare to ride a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station. 

Crew-5 commander Nicole Mann and pilot Josh Cassada, both NASA astronauts, will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) from Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. They will be flying alongside Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Anna Kikina of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos. Kikina is the first Russian cosmonaut to fly on Dragon. 

NASA’s livestream coverage of the Crew-5 launch will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT) from Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center. Join us then!

NASA, SpaceX ‘Go’ for Crew-5 launch

NASA and SpaceX are pressing ahead with plans to launch the Crew-5 astronaut crew to the International Space Station despite three open issues for the launch team. 

SpaceX and NASA gave the official “GO” for launch on Monday night during a Launch Readiness Review meeting. You can read our full story on that call from spaceflight editor Mike Wall. SpaceX rolled the Crew-5 Falcon 9 rocket to the launch pad over the weekend. Check out some of amazing photos from that event.

SpaceX is working three issues that need to be resolved for launch:

• A thrust vector control actuator on one of the Crew-5 Falcon 9 rocket’s 9 first-stange Merlin engines. It should be replaced by today. 
• A communications issue affecting the drone ship Just Read The Instructions affecting its station-keeping ability for the Falcon 9 booster’s first stage landing. 
• A leak in a portable fire extinguisher on the Dragon capsule, which will be fixed with replacement parts. 

SpaceX is confident it will be able to address all three open issues in time for launch. Meanwhile, the company is planning to launch two other missions, a Starlink flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 4, which will only lift off if the Crew-5 mission is delayed for some reason, and two telecom satellites from Florida on a different Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX and NASA push back International Space Station launch

SpaceX and NASA plan to delay the Crew-5 flight to the International Space Station by at least a day to Oct. 4.

“Mission teams will continue to monitor the impacts of Ian on the Space Coast and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and could adjust the launch date again, as necessary,” NASA officials wrote in an update Tuesday (Sept. 27).

Hurricane Ian, which may be ‘catastrophic’ to Florida as some officials termed it, has made landfall in Florida and may severely affect forthcoming operations at the Kennedy Space Center even after the hurricane goes through.

Read more: Hurricane Ian delays SpaceX’s Crew-5 astronaut launch to Oct. 4

Russian cosmonaut prepares for first SpaceX mission

Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina will be the first to take a seat aboard a SpaceX spacecraft. Kikina and three astronauts will launch to the International Space Station no sooner than Oct. 3 for the NASA Crew-5 mission. The group will be seeking to show ISS space science can continue to carry on as normal amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Read more: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 astronauts ready for historic mission

SpaceX likely lead provider for 2 new ISS private missions

With SpaceX the only company so far allowed by NASA to bring people to the International Space Station (ISS), it is likely in the lead to provide launch services for two new private missions. 

NASA said Wednesday (Sept. 14) that it has asked private industry for proposals for two private ISS missions to run between late 2023 and 2024. SpaceX already has experience in providing such services, as its Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft sent the first all-private Axiom Space mission, called Ax-1, to the orbiting complex earlier this year.

Full story: NASA requests 2 new private astronaut missions to International Space Station

SpaceX receives 5 mission orders from NASA

SpaceX with send five more astronaut missions to the International Space Station (ISS) under a new $1.4 billion deal, which modifies an existing agreement between the two organizations.

The deal covers Crews-10 through Crew-14 and will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rockets. NASA stated the contract “allows NASA to maintain an uninterrupted U.S. capability for human access to the space station until 2030.”

Read more: NASA awards SpaceX $1.4 billion for 5 more astronaut missions

SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-5 launch to avoid traffic jam

SpaceX and NASA plan to delay the next astronaut launch by four days, to no earlier than Oct. 3. The Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station was delayed from an initial target of Sept. 29.

“The date adjustment allows for extra separation with spacecraft traffic coming to and from the space station,” agency officials said in the brief update, NASA announced in an update today (Aug. 25). The agency did not provide more details about their concerns regarding the traffic jam.

Read more: SpaceX’s next astronaut launch for NASA delayed to Oct. 3

SpaceX examines possible debris, addresses Crew-5 rocket damage

A SpaceX team is on the way to Australia to investigate possible space junk associated with a cargo “trunk” that detached from the Crew-1 spacecraft, burning up in the atmosphere July 8.

“We did get reports of debris from a trunk,” Benjamin Reed, senior director of SpaceX’s human spaceflight program, told reporters during a livestreamed NASA Crew-5 press briefing Thursday (Aug. 4). 

He emphasized that SpaceX worked closely with NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration before the Crew-1 mission to minimize Crew Dragon debris, and that if the charred hardware is indeed SpaceX’s, it came down exactly where predicted.

SpaceX is also working to address minor damage to the Crew-5 Falcon 9 first-stage booster, which came in contact with a bridge during transport. Reed said SpaceX is committed to making the fixes to address NASA’s rigorous safety requirements. The damage delayed the launch until September.

Possible SpaceX Crew-1 debris spotted in Australia

Charred material, possibly a remnant from a SpaceX spacecraft, was discovered in a sheep paddock near Dalgety, Australia. Witnesses in the region heard a “bang” July 9 local time. Weeks later, two region farmers came across large and unfamiliar pieces of hardware on their large properties.

SpaceX has not yet confirmed if the piece was a part of its Crew-1 Dragon spacecraft that splashed down successfully on May 2, 2021. That said, two space debris trackers suggest it was indeed from that mission, given that Dalgety was underneath the projected re-entry pathway of an unpressurized “trunk” piece of Dragon, jettisoned before re-entry.

Read more: Possible SpaceX debris falls in Australia from Crew-1 Dragon spacecraft

United Arab Emirates astronaut joins Crew-6

UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi was announced Monday (July 25) as the fourth crew member of SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission, which is expected to launch in 2023. AlNeyadi will be the first astronaut from an Arab nation to conduct a long-duration mission on the International Space Station. His seat was arranged through a previously disclosed agreement with Axiom Space.

AlNeyadi will join NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, who will serve as spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively, aboard Crew-6. A Roscosmos cosmonaut, Andrei Fedyaev, joined the crew this month following a seat swap deal between Russia’s federal space agency and NASA to fly cosmonauts aboard private American vehicles, in exchange for U.S. Soyuz seats.

Read more in our story about AlNeyadi’s assignment.

Crew-3 splashes down safely

SpaceX’s Crew-3 astronaut mission returned to Earth after nearly six months in orbit early Friday morning (May 6), splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast right on schedule at 12:43 a.m. EDT (0443 GMT). Read our story here.

SpaceX Crew-3 Dragon Endurance headed home

SpaceX’s Crew-Dragon Endurance is headed back to Earth to return four astronauts home from the International Space Station for NASA and the European Space Agency. 

The Dragon Endurance capsule undocked from the space station today, May 5, at 1:20 a.m. EDT (0520 GMT) to begin a day-long trip home. The spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the Florida coast, at 12:43 a.m. EDT (0443 GMT). 

Endurance is returning SpaceX’s Crew-3 astronaut mission for NASA back to Earth. The mission, which launched in November 2021, ferried NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn, Kayla Barron and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer to the station for a six-month trip. 

You can watch the SpaceX Crew-3 landing live online, courtesy of NASA TV. NASA is providing live coverage through the landing now.

Crew-4 astronauts enter ISS

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The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station have entered the orbiting laboratory, ending their 15-hour trip to the orbiting lab. 

Crew-4 commander Kjell Lindgren, pilot Bob Hines and mission specialists Jessica Watkins (all NASA astronauts) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency floated inside the station’s Harmony module just after 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT April 28), where they were welcomed with big hugs from the station’s Crew-3 astronaut team. 

There are now 11 people living aboard the space station. NASA postponed the traditional welcome ceremony for the Crew-4 astronauts as the station’s Russian crew is currently asleep, resting ahead of a planned spacewalk on Thursday (April 28). 

NASA will hold a belated welcome ceremony at 2:40 a.m. EDT (0640 GMT) on Thursday once the cosmonauts awake for the spacewalk day.

That will wrap up Space.com’s Crew-4 launch and docking coverage. Thank you for joining us. This live blog will resume with the next SpaceX Crew Dragon mission event, the Crew-3 undocking, which is scheduled for May 4.

Docking! SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts reach ISS

SpaceX’s Crew-4 astronaut mission has arrived at the International Space Station. 

The Crew-4 mission’s Crew Dragon Freedom docked at the space station’s Harmony module at 7:37 p.m. EDT (2337 GMT), nearly 40 minutes earlier than expected, as both spacecraft sailed 261 miles over the central Pacific Ocean. 

A series of hooks and latches will secure the Freedom capsule to the station while the Crew-4 astronauts prepare to doff their SpaceX pressure suits and enter the station. Hatch opening is expected to occur at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT April 28). 

In  the meantime, NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn inside the space station will work to pressurize a vestibule between the two spacecraft. After some leak checks, the hatches between Freedom and the International Space Station will be opened, ending the 15.5-hour trip to the station for the Crew-4 mission. 

The Crew-4 astronauts include commander Kjell Lindgren, pilot Bob Hines and mission specialist Jessica Watkins (all of NASA), as well as mission specialist Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency. They are beginning a six-month mission to the orbiting lab. 

Docking sooner than expected

After their successful launch this morning (April 27), the astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-3 mission will dock with the International Space Station earlier than expected. 

Running ahead of schedule, the crew’s Dragon capsule, named Freedom, will now dock with the orbiting lab at 7:30 p.m. EDT (1130 GMT) tonight.

“@NASA TV is providing live coverage of the @SpaceX #Crew4 mission to the space station. Dragon Freedom is currently ahead of schedule for a docking at 7:30pm ET today,” the International Space Station Twitter account shared.

Crew-4 astronauts in orbit

The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission for NASA are successfully in orbit and adapting to life in space. The astronauts are on a 16-hour trip to the International Space Station.

Crew-4 is commanded by NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren with crewmate Bob Hines as pilot. NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are mission specialists for the flight.

The astronauts are expected to dock at the space station tonight at 8:15 p.m. EDT (0015 GMT on April 28), with hatch opening set for 9:45 p.m. EDT (0145 GMT). 

Touchdown: Crew-4 SpaceX Falcon 9 lands safely

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket first stage has successfully landed on its drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean to end its successful launch of the Crew-4 astronauts. 

Meanwhile, the Crew Dragon Freedom successfully separated from its Falcon 9 upper stage to mark its arrival in orbit. It’s nose cone is deploying to clear its docking port for the arrival at the International Space Station in 16 hours. 

Falcon 9 first stage reentry burn complete

SpaceX’s Crew-4 Falcon 9 rocket booster has performed an entry burn to slow itself for its return to Earth. 

A final landing burn is coming up ahead of landing, which will mark this booster’s fourth landing for SpaceX.

Liftoff! SpaceX launches Crew-4 astronauts to space station

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has launched toward orbit carrying the Crew-4 astronauts. 

The first stage successfully shut down and separated from the upper stage shortly after liftoff and is now returning to Earth for a landing. 

The upper stage continues on a nominal trajectory toward orbit. 

‘Let’s let Dragon roar and Freedom ring,’ astronauts say

SpaceX and the Crew-4 astronauts just shared a final message before today’s launch.  You can watch it launch live here.

“We’re honored to have you aboard Dragon capsule Freedom today. It’s been a privilege working together to prepare for this launch to the International Space Station,” SpaceX’s mission control radioed the crew. “We wish you a great mission. Good luck, Godspeed. Time to let Freedom fly.”

“Copy, SpaceX. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our international partner teams and families for getting to the threshold of this amazing opportunity to launch to the International Space Station,” Crew-4 commander Kjell Lindgren radioed back. “A heartfelt thank you to every one of us that made this possible. Now let’s let Dragon roar and Freedom ring.”

SpaceX now fueling 2nd stage of Falcon 9 rocket

SpaceX’s fueling operations for the Crew-4 Falcon 9 rocket is continuing, with the company now loading propellant into the second stage of the booster. 

Unlike the Falcon 9’s first stage, which will return to Earth for a planned landing, the second stage is disposable and will be discarded after delivering the Crew Dragon Freedom into orbit. 

Fueling for both the first and second stages should complete at T-2 minutes to launch.

SpaceX fuels Falcon 9 rocket for Crew-4 launch

SpaceX has begun fueling the Falcon 9 rocket for today’s Crew-4 astronaut launch to the International Space Station. 

Fueling began at the T-34 minute mark as SpaceX began loading the Falcon 9 with the liquid oxygen and RP-1 rocket-grade kerosene for today’s launch. 

SpaceX has activated the launch escape system on the Crew Dragon Freedom. That system is designed to use a set of eight SuperDraco engines to pull the capsule free of its Falcon 9 booster if needed in the case of a launch emergency. 

T-1 hour to launch for Crew-4 astronauts

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NASA and SpaceX are now less than one hour away from this morning’s launch of the Crew-4 astronauts to the International Space Station and all systems continue to be green for an on-time liftoff at 3:52 a.m. EDT (0752 GMT) from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Crew-4 astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins (all of NASA) and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are strapped inside their Crew Dragon Freedom awaiting launch. Weather, the spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket are all in good shape for launch. 

In the next hour, SpaceX will proceed with final fuel loading of the Falcon 9 rocket to gear up for the launch and 16-hour flight to the space station. 

NASA has released some new images of the crew’s walkout to the launch pad earlier in today’s countdown. Check them out above. 

Dragon Freedom’s hatch closed ahead of Crew-4 launch

The side hatch of Freedom, the SpaceX Dragon capsule for Crew-4, was closed about an hour and 45 minutes before the mission’s planned liftoff on April 27, 2022. Technicians then examined the seal around the hatch, to make sure it wouldn’t leak in space.

Crew-4 astronauts have entered their Dragon

The four Crew-4 astronauts entered their Dragon capsule, which they named Freedom, about 2 hours and 40 minutes before their planned liftoff in the early morning hours of April 27, 2022. 

Crew-4 astronauts are at the launch pad

The four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission have arrived at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A ahead of their liftoff at 3:52 a.m. EDT (0752 GMT). All four paused to look up at their Falcon 9 rocket ride before getting into the elevator that took them up the launch tower toward their Dragon capsule.

Walk out complete: Crew-4 astronauts are headed to the launch pad

The Crew-4 astronauts on their way to the launch pad. The four spaceflyers walked out of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at about 12:30 a.m. EDT (0430 GMT). They headed outside and, after saying goodbye to their loved ones, got inside the three Teslas that will drive them to KSC’s Launch Complex 39A.

Weather 90% go for Crew-4 liftoff

Forecasts indicate a 90% chance of weather favorable enough to allow for the launch of SpaceX’s Crew-4 astronaut mission for NASA early Wednesday morning (April 27), agency officials said. The liftoff is scheduled to take place at 3:52 a.m. EDT (0752 GMT) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“The primary weather concerns are cumulus cloud and flight through precipitation rules,” NASA officials wrote in an update late Tuesday night (April 26). “Teams also continue to monitor the weather conditions along in Crew Dragon’s flight path, which is expected to be favorable for launch.”

SpaceX Crew-4 launch GO for April 27 liftoff

NASA and SpaceX have given the “go” to launch the Crew-4 astronauts to the International Space Station early Wednesday, April 27, at 3:52 a.m. EDT (0752 GMT). 

SpaceX and NASA signed off on the mission late Monday night after a final flight readiness review mission. 

NASA’s launch webcast will begin tonight at 12 a.m. EDT (0400 GMT), leading up to the Crew-4 launch. You can watch that live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV and SpaceX.

Crew-4 launch delayed to April 26 at the earliest

SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station will now launch no earlier than Tuesday (April 26), because of delays in the departure of the private Ax-1 astronaut mission from the orbiting lab. Read our full story.

Crew-4 static fire test

The SpaceX Crew-4 mission completed the critical static fire test of its Falcon 9 rocket ahead of the mission’s launch, which is planned for April 23, 2022, Space