4th Commercial Mission Takes Off, Science in Tow

The NASA Crew-4 astronaut crew completed their launch, successfully making their way to orbit to rendezvous with the ISS.

The commercial crew rotation mission marks the 4th time a SpaceX Dragon and Falcon 9 combination have brought NASA personnel into orbit, this time carrying a complement of 4, including the lone ESA mission specialist. The Dragon's arrival at the station will make for a high-water mark in personnel, keeping 11 people aboard the station until the Crew-3 astronauts return to earth a few days later. The new arrivals will spend several months aboard as they conduct a few scientific initiatives, this time working on material science in low gravity, health technology, and plant science with an aim to ease eventual long-distance space travel. The commercial crew missions have been hailed as a hallmark of American leadership in human spaceflight as NASA spends the bulk of its in-house efforts on paving the way for a successful Artemis program. 

“NASA, SpaceX and our international partners have worked tirelessly to ensure that the International Space Station continues conducting important research in microgravity, and working on a whole host of activities that benefit humanity and opens up access to more people in space,” said Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. “Crew-4’s launch, less than two days after the return of the first all-private mission to station, exemplifies the spirit and success of the Commercial Crew Program to help maximize use of low-Earth orbit for years to come, testing the technologies we need for the Artemis program and beyond.”

As with any successful launch, the excitement was palpable at NASA command centers. “Liftoff! The past few days at Kennedy Space Center have been inspiring and busy with the return of the Axiom crew and now the successful launch of Crew-4 astronauts to the International Space Station,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “These missions wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated NASA and SpaceX teams here on Earth. Godspeed, Crew-4!”

FMI: www.nasa.gov