SpaceX and NASA on Sunday successfully launched their joint Crew-8 mission
- Posted on March 4, 2024
- Technology
- By Arijit Dutta
- 306 Views
SpaceX and NASA achieved a successful launch of their joint Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked SpaceX’s eighth crew rotation mission to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The launch, which was the third attempt after being scrubbed twice due to bad weather, saw a crew of four sent to the ISS aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
Despite a small crack on the hatch seal, engineers deemed the issue manageable, and the mission proceeded as scheduled, with liftoff occurring at 10:53 p.m. Mission crew members celebrated as the first-stage booster separated and Dragon continued its journey toward space shortly before 11 p.m.
The crew includes NASA astronauts Commander Matthew Dominick, Pilot Michael Barratt, and Mission Specialist Jeanette Epps, along with Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who also serves as a mission specialist. For all except Barratt, this marks their first mission to the ISS.
The Dragon spacecraft, launched by the Falcon 9 rocket, is described by SpaceX as a “reusable, two-stage rocket,” making it the first of its kind. After detaching from Dragon, the rocket is set to land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
During their six-month stay at the ISS, the crew will conduct over 200 science experiments aimed at advancing our understanding of long-term space stays. These experiments include studying the effects of microgravity and ultraviolet radiation on plants, examining the use of stem cells to address degenerative diseases, and testing pressure cuffs to alleviate health issues caused by fluid shifts in astronauts.
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Additionally, the crew will explore the potential of microalgae, such as spirulina, to remove CO₂ from the air, providing both food and oxygen for astronauts. Despite SpaceX's busy launch schedule, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the continued importance of vigilance and caution in spaceflight, highlighting its inherent risks and challenges.
