{"id":626477,"date":"2024-03-03T23:54:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T04:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=press-release&p=626477"},"modified":"2024-03-05T01:26:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T06:26:50","slug":"nasas-spacex-crew-8-launches-to-international-space-station","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasas-spacex-crew-8-launches-to-international-space-station\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 Launches to International Space Station"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 38%; object-position: 50% 38%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg 4682w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin onboard, Sunday, March 3, 2024, at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Aubrey Gemignani<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Editor’s note: This release was updated March 4, 2024, to correct the audio only link a<\/strong><\/em><strong><em>nd change the image.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An international crew of four reached orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission is the agency\u2019s eighth commercial crew rotation mission with the company to the space station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/matthew-dominick\/\">Matthew Dominick<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/michael-reed-barratt\/\">Michael Barratt<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/jeanette-j-epps\/\">Jeanette Epps<\/a>, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, for a science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCongratulations to NASA and SpaceX on another successful launch to the International Space Station! On this eighth crew rotation mission, we are once again showing the strength of our commercial partnerships and American ingenuity that will propel us further in the cosmos,\u201d said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. \u201cAboard the station, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to help fuel this new era of space exploration and benefit humanity here on Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Dragon\u2019s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA coverage continues with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jPTD2gnZFUw\" rel=\"noopener\">audio only <\/a>commentary until the start of the rendezvous and docking broadcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, will dock autonomously to the forward port of the station\u2019s Harmony module about 3 a.m. Tuesday, March 5. NASA will provide live coverage of rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening, beginning at 1 a.m., on <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/scheduled-video\/nasas-spacex-crew-8-space-station-arrival-welcome-remark\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA+<\/a>, NASA Television, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/apps\/\">NASA app<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@NASA\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, and the <a>agency\u2019s<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasatv\">website<\/a>. NASA also will continue coverage of the crew welcome ceremony once they are aboard the orbital outpost. Learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/how-to-stream-nasa-tv\/\">stream NASA TV<\/a> through a variety of platforms including social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crew-8 will join the space station\u2019s Expedition 70 crew of NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O\u2019Hara, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Konstantin Borisov, Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chubb. For a short time, the number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 until Crew-7 members Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov return to Earth a few days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crew-8 will conduct new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/nasa-expedition-71-astronauts-to-conduct-research-aboard-space-station\/\">scientific research<\/a> to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. Experiments include a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/investigation\/?#id=9112\">study of brain organoids<\/a> to understand neurodegenerative disorders, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/investigation\/?#id=8984\">shifts in body fluids<\/a> during spaceflight, and the effects of UV radiation and microgravity on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/investigation\/?#id=9013\">plant growth<\/a>. These are just a few of the more than 200 science <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/overview.html\">experiments and technology<\/a> demonstrations that will take place during their mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this mission, NASA will maximize use of the space station, where astronauts have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted on the space station provides benefits for people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon and beyond through NASA\u2019s Artemis missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a><strong>More about Crew-8<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew Dominick is the commander for Crew-8, his first spaceflight since his selection as an astronaut in 2017. During Expedition 70\/71 aboard the space station, he will serve as a mission specialist. Follow <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dominickmatthew\" rel=\"noopener\">@dominickmatthew<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Michael Barratt is the Crew-8 pilot, making his third visit to the space station. In 2009, Barratt served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 19\/20 as the station transitioned its standard crew complement from three to six and performed two spacewalks. He flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 2011 on STS-133, which delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module and fourth Express Logistics Carrier. Barratt has spent a total of 212 days in space. During Expedition 70\/71, he will serve as a mission specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jeanette Epps is a mission specialist for Crew-8, her first spaceflight, working with the commander and pilot to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and re-entry phases of flight. Epps was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2009. She will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 70\/71. Follow <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Astro_Jeanette\" rel=\"noopener\">@Astro_Jeanette<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin is flying on his first mission. He will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 70\/71.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission and Commercial Crew Program at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">-end-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Josh Finch \/ Claire O\u2019Shea<br>Headquarters, Washington<br>202-358-1100<br><a href=\"mailto:joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov\">joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:claire.a.oshea@nasa.gov\">claire.a.oshea@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Steven Siceloff \/ Danielle Sempsrott<br>Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br>321-867-2468<br><a href=\"mailto:steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov\">steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:danielle.c.sempsrott@nasa.gov\">danielle.c.sempsrott@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leah Cheshier<br>Johnson Space Center, Houston<br>281-483-5111<br><a href=\"mailto:leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov\">leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor’s note: This release was updated March 4, 2024, to correct the audio only link and change the image. An international crew of four reached orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":504,"featured_media":626540,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"504","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":["283564","283571","283575"],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"24-035","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2735,3191,9417,9418,11285],"news-tags":[12376],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[12855],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 Launches to International Space Station","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasas-spacex-crew-8-launches-to-international-space-station\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasas-spacex-crew-8-launches-to-international-space-station\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324-88526b.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324-88526b.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jennifer M. Dooren"}],"creator":["Jennifer M. Dooren"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Missions","International Space Station (ISS)","ISS Research","Commercial Crew","Expedition 70","Expedition 71"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-04T04:54:49Z","datePublished":"2024-03-04T04:54:49Z","dateModified":"2024-03-05T06:26:50Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 Launches to International Space Station\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasas-spacex-crew-8-launches-to-international-space-station\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324-88526b.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-03-04T04:54:49Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,International Space Station (ISS),ISS Research,Commercial Crew,Expedition 70,Expedition 71\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jennifer M. Dooren\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"featured_image":{"id":626540,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/crew8launch030324-88526b.jpg","title":"NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 Launch","alt":"NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 lifts off from Launch Complex 39A on March 3, 2024.","caption":"A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin onboard, Sunday, March 3, 2024, at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-8 mission is the eighth crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency\u2019s Commercial Crew Program. Dominick, Barratt, Epps, and Grebenkin launched at 10:53 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center to begin a six month mission aboard the orbital outpost."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/626477"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/504"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/626477\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":627322,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/626477\/revisions\/627322"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/626540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=626477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=626477"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=626477"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=626477"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=626477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}