SpaceX sends fresh crew to the ISS

author: FutureCar Staff    

Four astronauts from four countries are currently on their way to the International Space Station (ISS) in a SpaceX capsule. They are expected to reach the orbiting lab on Sunday, replacing the four astronauts who have been living there since March.

The four astronauts, representing Denmark, Japan, Russia, and the US, took off from the Kennedy Space Centre on Saturday. This launch is significant as it is the first time a US-based launch has filled every seat on a spacecraft with passengers of different nationalities. Previously, NASA had always included two or three of its own astronauts on SpaceX flights, but this time, due to timing, the seats were filled by astronauts from various countries.

While in orbit, NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli, who is serving as the commander, radioed, "We're a united team with a common mission." The team also includes Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency (ESA) representing Denmark, Satoshi Furukawa from Japan, and Konstantin Borisov from Russia. ESA's director general, Josef Aschbacher, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, stating, "Space is really global, and international cooperation is key."

The four astronauts have unique backgrounds and paths that led them to space. Moghbeli, whose parents fled Iran during the 1979 revolution, was born in Germany and raised in New York. She served as a marine pilot, flying attack helicopters in Afghanistan, and hopes to inspire Iranian girls through her space journey. Morgensen, on the other hand, worked on oil rigs before pursuing a career in engineering. He believes his experience on the rigs contributed to his selection as Denmark's first astronaut. Furukawa, a former surgeon, made Japan's astronaut cut after a decade in the medical field. Borisov, a space rookie, turned to engineering after studying business and currently runs a freediving school in Moscow.

The SpaceX launch also had some exciting moments. The first-stage booster successfully returned to Cape Canaveral shortly after liftoff, delighting the spectators. However, the liftoff was delayed by a day for additional data reviews, and there was a minor fuel leak in the capsule's thruster system. Fortunately, SpaceX engineers managed to resolve the issue in the final minutes before the launch.

Another NASA astronaut is scheduled to fly to the ISS from Kazakhstan in mid-September. SpaceX has now launched eight crews for NASA, while Boeing, which was hired at the same time, has yet to fly astronauts.

FutureCar Staff