All attention will be on the weather on Thursday morning as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk gets ready to launch to the International Space Station (ISS).
Kutryk, aged 44, will serve as a mission specialist for NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS, alongside Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins will be the commander and Luke Delaney the pilot. They will be embarking on their space journey aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Weather conditions at Cape Canaveral, Florida, are forecasted to be somewhat unstable, with possible showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX after the company faced significant setbacks.
NASA has been addressing a potential issue on the ISS, as initially reported by ArsTechnica on Monday.
Canadarm2, utilized for spacecraft capturing and spacewalks, encountered communication errors post a maneuver. NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, is working to ensure no GPS interference between Crew Dragon and the station during docking.
During today’s press conference, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the crew’s readiness for the mission.
Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, reiterated the crew’s preparedness and positive spirits.
The mission follows CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent journey around the moon as part of the Artemis II mission.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s contributions to the ISS, emphasizing the country’s pivotal role in the space station’s construction.
The crew will have a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility around 7:40 a.m. on Thursday before heading to the pad to board the Crew Dragon capsule for launch preparations.
In a personal twist, Kutryk’s wife Heather is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
Upon launch, they are set to rendezvous with the ISS in a few hours, potentially marking the fastest Dragon mission to the station, completing the journey in approximately eight hours.
If Thursday’s weather is unfavorable, the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Friday morning.
Glaze emphasized NASA’s commitment to launching only when fully prepared, affirming Kutryk’s readiness for the mission.
Caron expressed high hopes for a successful launch, reflecting the positive morale surrounding Kutryk, his family, and the mission at hand.