NASA is gearing up for a unique procedure on Thursday, as four International Space Station (ISS) crew members, including NASA astronauts Matt Dominick, Mike Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, will board a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and go on a brief journey. The purpose of this relocation is to make way for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is set to carry its first astronauts to the ISS on May 8.
The Crew Dragon will be undocked from the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module and will take about 45 minutes to complete the relocation procedure, which will be supported by flight controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and SpaceX personnel in Hawthorne, California. This will be the fourth port relocation of a Dragon spacecraft with a crew, following previous relocations involving SpaceX’s Crew-1, Crew-2, and Crew-6 missions.
Despite the apparent slowness of the maneuver, the Crew Dragon and the ISS will be hurtling around the Earth at a speed of approximately 17,000 miles per hour. The Starliner launch, which is highly anticipated among space enthusiasts, will bring NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS, where they will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the Harmony module.
NASA Prepares to Relocate Crew Dragon Spacecraft to Make Way for Boeing’s Starliner
The relocation procedure will be live-streamed on NASA’s website, NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Space fans can watch the operation via the player embedded above, or tune in to the NASA TV broadcast starting at 7:30 a.m. EST. The Crew Dragon crew will undock from the Harmony module at 7:45 a.m. EST and connect autonomously with the space-facing port at 8:28 a.m. EST.
In addition to the relocation procedure, the Starliner launch and arrival at the ISS will be a significant moment in the development of Boeing’s spacecraft, marking a major milestone for the company. The Starliner’s autonomous docking capabilities will be put to the test as it connects with the ISS, a crucial step in verifying the spacecraft’s performance.
The Crew Dragon’s current location will be replaced by the Starliner spacecraft, which will arrive at the ISS on May 8. The constant shuffle of spacecraft at the ISS is a testament to the agency’s commitment to its scientific research and exploration goals. With the relocation procedure, NASA is demonstrating its ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances, while also paving the way for the Starliner’s maiden voyage to the ISS.
As the space community awaits the Starliner’s arrival, the relocation of the Crew Dragon provides a unique opportunity to observe the intricacies of space travel and the critical importance of precision and coordination in space operations. With NASA’s live broadcast of the procedure, fans of space exploration can get up close and personal with the action, gaining a deeper appreciation for the teamwork and expertise required to achieve such incredible feats in space.
