All attention will be focused on the weather on Thursday morning as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk gets ready for his 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, flying alongside Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins will act as the commander, while Luke Delaney will pilot the mission. Their voyage to space will be aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Weather conditions at Cape Canaveral, Fla., are expected to be somewhat unpredictable, with chances of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially scheduled to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX after the company faced significant setbacks.
NASA is currently addressing a potential issue on the ISS, as first reported by ArsTechnica. Canadarm2, crucial for tasks like spacecraft capture and spacewalk support, encountered communication errors after a “walk-off” manoeuvre. NASA confirmed efforts with SpaceX to prevent GPS interference during Crew Dragon’s docking with the station.
During today’s press briefing, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the crew’s readiness and eagerness to embark on their mission.
The crew is set to leave their quarantine facility around 7:40 a.m. Thursday for a traditional walk-out before boarding their Crew Dragon capsule. Kutryk’s wife, Heather, is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
Once launched, the crew will rendezvous with the ISS within a few hours, potentially making this the fastest Dragon mission to the station. If Thursday’s weather conditions are unfavorable, the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Friday morning.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s contributions to the ISS, emphasizing the nation’s role in the creation of the mobile servicing system.
Caron, speaking at the press conference, shared his optimism for the mission, noting Kutryk’s readiness and hoping for favorable weather conditions for the upcoming launch.
A video featuring Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk discussing space travel is available for viewing, offering insights into the future of space travel and the role of private space companies.
