The next crewed mission to the International Space Station is scheduled for later on this month. SpaceX will send its Dragon spacecraft on top of a Falcon 9 rocket to space on Thursday, April 22. The launch is scheduled for 6:11 a.m. EDT. The launch will occur from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Aboard the Dragon spacecraft will be four astronauts from three different countries and space agencies. It is the first mission that will fly two international partner crew members as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
- Shane Kimbrough (NASA): Commander
- Megan McArthur (NASA): Pilot
- Akihiko Hoshide (JAXA): Mission Specialist
- Thomas Pesquet (ESA): Mission Specialist
The crew will stay aboard the Internation Space Station through the fall of 2021 and will be conducting scientific research in areas such as medical, technology, human health, and materials to benefit life on earth.
NASA is inviting the public to share the excitement about the upcoming launch and invites the public to attend the launch virtually.
Virtual Launch Passport
To celebrate the Crew-2 Misson and upcoming launches, NASA created a new Virtual Launch Passport. Participants will receive a “stamp” for the passport after the launch of the Crew-2 Mission.
All you have to do is register for the Crew-2 mission on Eventbrite. The registration for this event is completely free. You can choose to register as an individual or if you are holding a public or private event.
Information about the Crew-2 Mission
By doing so you will receive mission updates and opportunities normally reserved only for on-site guests. This includes curated launch resources, a behind-the-scenes look at the mission, notifications about NASA social interactions, and of course the stamp for your passport.
You can find your Virtual Launch Passport here. The passport will hold six stamps for upcoming launches.
Launch coverage will start on launch day at 2 a.m. EDT on NASA’s website as well as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, Daily Motion, and Theta.TV.
Other Passports
Besides the new Virtual Launch Passport, NASA also has a lesser-known Passport to Explore Space at NASA Visitor Centers. There is also NASA’s Mars Boarding Pass for which you can sign up.
Launch Photography
Unfortunately, I won’t be in the area to cover the Crew-2 Mission as I am preparing for the upcoming NROL-82 launch. A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy will carry the payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) into orbit. Lift-off is scheduled for April 26 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Stay tuned…
Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com
Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.