All eyes will be focused on the weather on Thursday morning as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk readies himself for the journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
Kutryk, aged 44, will serve as a mission specialist for NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS, partnering with Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will assume the roles of commander and pilot, respectively. Their voyage to space will be aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
The weather outlook at Cape Canaveral, Fla., indicates some variability, with possibilities of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks encountered by the former company.
Recent concerns have arisen about a potential issue on the ISS, as highlighted by ArsTechnica earlier this week. Specifically, the Canadarm2, a crucial component used for spacecraft capture and spacewalks, experienced communication errors after executing a maneuver. NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, is actively resolving any potential GPS interference between Crew Dragon and the station during docking.
During a press conference today, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the crew’s readiness for the mission. Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, echoed this sentiment, noting the crew’s high spirits and preparedness.
The upcoming mission follows CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent involvement in the Artemis II mission, where he circled the moon.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, emphasized Canada’s contributions to the ISS, particularly mentioning the mobile servicing system that facilitated the station’s construction.
The crew is scheduled for a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility at approximately 7:40 a.m. Thursday, followed by preparations at the pad and ascent to the Crew Dragon capsule for launch.
Notably, Kutryk’s wife, Heather, is expected to give birth to their third child during his time in orbit.
If weather conditions permit, the crew will rendezvous with the ISS a few hours post-launch, potentially completing the fastest Dragon mission to the station in about eight hours.
In case of unfavorable weather on Thursday, the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Friday morning.
“We always prioritize readiness before flight,” noted Glaze, emphasizing Kutryk’s preparedness and determination for the mission.
Caron shared his optimism for the successful launch, highlighting Kutryk’s readiness and positive outlook.
For more details, you can watch Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk talk about space travel in this video.
