All attention will be focused on the weather on Thursday morning, as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk readies for his journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
Kutryk, aged 44, is set to be a mission specialist for NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS, accompanying Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins will be the commander, and Luke Delaney will serve as the pilot. They will be launched into space aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
The weather forecast for Cape Canaveral, Fla., predicts some variability with chances of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks experienced by the company.
Concerns have also arisen regarding a potential issue on the ISS related to the malfunction of Canadarm2, as first reported by ArsTechnica earlier this week. This robotic arm, crucial for capturing spacecraft and conducting spacewalks, encountered communication errors post a maneuver. NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, is actively working to mitigate any 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 team’s readiness for the mission. Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, reported that the crew, consisting of Joshua Kutryk, Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, and Sergey Teteryatnikov, displayed enthusiasm and readiness for the upcoming launch.
The mission follows closely after CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent participation in the Artemis II mission, a trip around the moon.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s significant contributions to space exploration, emphasizing the country’s role in the development of key technologies for the ISS.
The crew is scheduled to make a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility at approximately 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, proceeding to the launch pad to board the Crew Dragon capsule and undergo pre-launch preparations.
In a personal context, Kutryk’s wife Heather is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit. Caron humorously mentioned this at the press conference, indicating potential considerations regarding labor laws.
If the launch proceeds as planned, the Crew Dragon is expected to rendezvous with the ISS in a few hours, making it one of the fastest missions to the station, taking around eight hours.
In case of unfavorable weather on Thursday, the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Friday morning. Lorie Glaze reassured that launches are only conducted when all conditions are deemed suitable.
Joshua Kutryk, all set and eager for the mission, has been described as fully prepared and hopeful for favorable weather conditions by Mathieu Caron from the CSA.