An international crew of four representing four countries is in orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station on Saturday, August 26 at 3:27 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agency's SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh commercial crew rotation mission for NASA.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut, Satoshi Furukawa astronaut and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov on a scientific expedition to onboard orbital laboratory.
"Crew-7 is a shining example of both the power of American ingenuity and what we can achieve when we work together," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Aboard the station, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond, all while benefiting humanity on Earth. Through partnerships with countries around the world, NASA engages the best scientific minds to enable our bold missions, and it's clear that when we work together, we can do more—and we can learn more.”
During the Dragon flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automated spacecraft maneuvers from its Mission Control Center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA teams will monitor space station operations during the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, will autonomously dock with the Harmony module's space port on Sunday, August 27 at 8:39 a.m. NASA TV, the NASA app and the agency's website will provide live coverage of the docking and hatching. opening. NASA will also cover crew welcome remarks aboard the orbiter at 11:30 a.m.
Crew-7 will join the space station's Expedition 69 crew of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg and Frank Rubio, as well as UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitry Petelin and Andrei Fedyayev. For a short time, the number of crew members aboard the space station increases to 11, until Crew-6 members Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev return to Earth a few days later.
Crew-7 will conduct new scientific research for the benefit of humanity on Earth and prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Experiments include collecting microbial samples from the outside of the space station, the first study of human response to varying durations of spaceflight, and investigating the physiological aspects of astronaut sleep. These are just some of the science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during their mission.
"The International Space Station is an incredible science and technology platform that requires people around the world to maintain and maximize its benefits for people on Earth," said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "It's great to see the launch of Crew-7 with four crew members representing four countries who will live and work on humanity's home in space as we continue nearly 23 years of continuous human presence aboard the microgravity laboratory."
The Crew-7 mission allows NASA to maximize use of the space station, where astronauts test technology, conduct science and develop the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore further from Earth. Research conducted aboard the space station benefits humans on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon through NASA's Artemis missions.
Meet Crew-7
This is Moghbeli's first trip to space since she was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. The New York native earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering with information technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge and a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from the University's Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. A helicopter and Marine test pilot, Moghbeli has logged more than 150 combat missions and 2,000 flight hours in more than 25 different aircraft. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. As the mission commander, she is responsible for all phases of the flight, from launch to return. He will serve as Expedition 69/70's flight engineer aboard the station. Follow @astrojaws on X.
Mogensen was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009 and became the first Danish citizen in space after launching aboard a Soyuz on a 10-day mission to the space station in 2015. Mogensen is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He completed his undergraduate studies and earned a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London, England, before earning a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Mogensen has since served as a crew member on NASA's Extreme Environment Mission Operations 17 and 19. Mogensen was the European Astronaut Liaison Officer on NASA Johnson from 2016 to 2022, working as a capsule communicator for astronauts aboard the station and as ground support for ascents to space. As a pilot on Crew-7, he is responsible for spacecraft systems and performance aboard the station, and will serve as Flight Engineer for Expedition 69 and Commander for Expedition 70. Follow @astro_andreas on X.
Furukawa is making his second journey into space after spending 165 days aboard the space station as part of Expeditions 28 and 29 in 2011. Furukawa is from Kanagawa, Japan and was selected as a JAXA astronaut in 1999. He is a physician and received his medical degree at the University of Tokyo and later a doctorate in medical science from the same university. Furukawa served as a crew member on NEEMO's 13th mission and was later appointed head of JAXA's Space Biomedical Research Group. Aboard the station, he becomes the flight engineer for Expedition 69/70. Follow @astro_satoshi on X.
Borisov is making his first journey into space and will serve as a mission specialist working to track the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and entry phases of flight. In 2018, he joined the Roskosmos cosmonaut corps as a test cosmonaut candidate and will serve as a flight engineer for Expedition 69/70.
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