All eyes will focus on the weather on Thursday morning as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk readies for his journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
At 44, Kutryk will serve as a mission specialist for NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS, alongside Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins will be the commander, and Luke Delaney will pilot the mission. They will be launched into space on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
The weather forecast for Cape Canaveral, Fla., shows some variability, with chances of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially scheduled to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following major setbacks experienced by Boeing.
NASA is addressing a potential issue on the ISS, concerning the Canadarm2 robotic arm. Engineers detected “communications errors” after a recent maneuver, prompting NASA and SpaceX to resolve any potential GPS interference during the docking of Crew Dragon with the station.
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, also indicated that the crew is in good spirits and fully prepared for the upcoming journey.
The mission follows CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent participation in the Artemis II mission, flying around the moon.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s contributions to the ISS, emphasizing the country’s role in developing the mobile servicing system that facilitated the station’s construction.
The crew is scheduled for a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility around 7:40 a.m. Thursday, proceeding to the pad to board the Crew Dragon capsule and prepare for launch.
Kutryk’s wife, Heather, is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
The launch will enable the crew to rendezvous with the ISS in a few hours, marking one of the fastest Dragon missions to the station. In case of unfavorable weather on Thursday, the next launch opportunity is set for Friday morning.
Glaze assured that NASA prioritizes safety and readiness before any launch. Kutryk, described as fully prepared by Caron, eagerly anticipates the mission ahead, hoping for favorable weather conditions to support the successful launch.
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