NASA Provides Coverage of SpaceX Crew-8 Mission Launch to International Space Station
The highly anticipated SpaceX Crew-8 mission is set to launch on Friday, March 1, carrying a team of NASA astronauts and a Roscosmos cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA has announced that it will provide extensive coverage of the prelaunch and launch activities, as well as the docking of the spacecraft.
The launch is scheduled for 12:04 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The docking is expected to take place at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 2. NASA will be streaming the crew’s arrival on Kennedy’s streaming channels, including YouTube and X. The launch, postlaunch news conference, and docking will be available for viewing on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Additionally, NASA will host an audio-only post-Flight Readiness Review news teleconference.
The Crew-8 mission includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and marks the eighth crew rotation mission and the ninth human spaceflight mission for NASA to the ISS using a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft since 2020. The Dragon spacecraft for this mission has been named Endeavour.
Media accreditation for in-person coverage of the launch has already closed, but NASA’s media credentialing policy is available online for future reference. For any questions regarding media accreditation, interested parties can email ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
NASA has released a detailed schedule of their mission coverage, which includes various events leading up to the launch. On Sunday, February 25, there will be a crew arrival media event at Kennedy, featuring Jennifer Kunz, associate director at NASA Kennedy, Dana Hutcherson, deputy program manager of the Commercial Crew Program at NASA Kennedy, and the crew members themselves. This event is limited to in-person media only.
On Wednesday, February 28, there will be a NASA Social panel live stream event at Kennedy, where members of the public can ask questions to NASA officials and experts. Additionally, there will be a NASA Administrator briefing from Kennedy, where media will have the opportunity to ask questions in person and via phone.
The launch coverage will begin on Thursday, February 29, at 8 p.m. on NASA TV. The actual launch is scheduled for 12:04 a.m. on Friday, March 1. Following the launch, there will be a postlaunch news conference featuring key personnel from NASA and SpaceX.
The docking of the spacecraft is expected to occur on Saturday, March 2, at 7 a.m. NASA TV will provide continuous coverage of the mission, including the hatch opening and welcome ceremony aboard the ISS.
For those who prefer audio-only coverage, NASA will provide an audio link for the news conferences and launch coverage. The audio can be accessed by dialing specific numbers provided by NASA.
In addition to the live coverage, NASA will also provide a live video feed of Launch Complex 39A approximately 48 hours prior to the launch. This feed will be uninterrupted until the prelaunch broadcast begins on NASA TV.
For more information and updates on the mission, including live streaming and blog updates, interested individuals can visit NASA’s website. The website will also provide on-demand streaming video and photos of the launch shortly after liftoff.
NASA encourages people to engage with them on social media platforms such as X, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Crew8 and #NASASocial. They also recommend following and tagging their official accounts for updates and information.
This mission is a significant milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS. The program has opened up access to low Earth orbit and the ISS to more people, more science, and more commercial opportunities. The ISS remains a crucial platform for NASA’s future space exploration endeavors, including missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.
With NASA’s comprehensive coverage of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, space enthusiasts and the general public alike will have the opportunity to witness this historic event and stay updated on the latest developments in human spaceflight.
