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A SpaceX rocket successfully lifted from Florida on Sunday night, carrying three U.S. astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS) for a six-month science mission.
The Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Crew Dragon capsule named Endeavor, was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The liftoff occurred at 10:53 p.m. EST (0353 GMT Monday), with a live NASA-SpaceX webcast capturing the event.
Ascension to Orbit:
The rocket’s nine Merlin engines propelled it into the night sky, creating billowing vapor clouds and a fiery spectacle. Nine minutes after liftoff, the Falcon’s upper stage delivered the Crew Dragon to its initial orbit, with live video showing the four crew members aboard the capsule.
The Crew 8 mission, led by astronaut Matthew Dominick and physician Dr. Michael Barratt, includes aerospace engineer Jeanette Epps and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. The crew is scheduled to reach the space station early on Tuesday after a 16-hour flight.
Significance of the Mission:
This marks the eighth long-duration ISS team flown by NASA aboard a SpaceX launch vehicle since May 2020. Despite geopolitical tensions, Grebenkin’s participation underscores the cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos.
Crew 8 will conduct approximately 250 experiments in the microgravity environment of the ISS during their six-month stay. They will join seven current ISS occupants and are expected to remain aboard until the end of August.
Legacy of the ISS:
The ISS, a symbol of international cooperation, has been continuously operated for 25 years. NASA remains committed to its operation for at least six more years, emphasizing its role in advancing scientific research and fostering global partnerships.
