SpaceX’s Crew-8 Mission Delayed Due to High Winds, Set for Launch on Sunday
SpaceX is gearing up for its second crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this year. The Crew-8 mission, which was initially scheduled for launch on Saturday night, has been delayed due to high winds along the ascent corridor. The launch is now set for Sunday, March 3 at 10:53 p.m. EST. This delay comes after a previous delay on March 1 due to poor weather conditions in the downrange area where the crew would be rescued in the event of a mid-ascent mission abort.
The 45th Weather Squadron has forecasted a 75 percent chance of favorable weather for Sunday’s launch, with upper-level wind sheer and clouds being monitored as potential concerns. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage from the Kennedy Space Center Press Site starting approximately four hours before liftoff.
The Crew-8 mission will be a first for three out of the four members of the crew. Michael Barratt, the pilot, has previously flown on a Soyuz and Space Shuttle Discovery to the ISS in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Barratt expressed his excitement about the multiple vehicles involved in human spaceflight, highlighting the positive sign it represents for the flourishing of space exploration.
Mission Specialist Jeannette Epps, who trained on three different vehicles, shared her perspective on focusing on the present and not dwelling on past events. Epps was initially selected for a mission in 2018 but was later pulled without explanation. She was then assigned to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which faced significant delays. Epps emphasized her excitement about finally being able to travel to space and her determination to stay focused on her current training and responsibilities.
During a prelaunch press conference, Epps revealed that the most important memento she will be taking with her to space is a picture of her late mother. She spoke about her mother’s support and how it motivated her to make her proud.
Crew-8 Commander Matthew Dominick, a member of the 2017 astronaut class known as The Turtles, will also be making his first flight to space. Dominick humorously referred to the continuous presence of The Turtles in space as the “Turtle Takeover.” He highlighted the teamwork and planning involved in his previous role as a test pilot in the U.S. Navy, emphasizing that test piloting is not just about flying at the edge of the envelope but also about meticulous planning and collaboration.
The final member of the crew is Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who began cosmonaut training in 2018. Grebenkin emphasized the importance of being multifaceted and absorbing knowledge in any endeavor. He described the challenges of training on the Crew Dragon spacecraft, including the extensive travel between Russia and the United States.
The upcoming Crew-8 mission will also mark several milestones for SpaceX. The Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft will become the flight leader of any Dragon spacecraft, whether crew or cargo versions. This will be the fifth flight of the Crew Dragon Endeavour, and SpaceX will have sent a total of 53 people to orbit across 13 Dragon flights. The company is also working on extending the certification of Dragon vehicles to 15 missions.
Additionally, a new Crew Dragon spacecraft is currently in production and is expected to be ready for the Crew-10 mission in early 2025. SpaceX anticipates that this new vehicle will be available for service by the fall of 2024.
The first stage booster for the Crew-8 mission, tail number B1083, will be launching for the first time. It is set to touch down at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff. Those in the Central Florida area may hear a sonic boom as the booster returns for landing.
As SpaceX continues to make strides in human spaceflight, the Crew-8 mission represents another significant step towards the future of space exploration and collaboration between government and private entities. With a diverse crew and advanced spacecraft, the mission is poised to contribute to the ongoing success of the ISS and pave the way for further advancements in human spaceflight.