All attention will be on the weather on Thursday morning, as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk gets ready to launch to the International Space Station (ISS).
At the age of 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 and Luke Delaney will be the commander and pilot, respectively. They will be traveling to space aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Weather conditions at Cape Canaveral, Fla., are forecasted to be somewhat variable, with possibilities of showers and potential thunderstorms.
Initially scheduled to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks experienced by Boeing.
Issues have also arisen on the ISS, as reported by ArsTechnica on Monday. The Canadarm2, essential for spacecraft capturing and spacewalks, experienced communication errors after a recent maneuver. NASA and SpaceX are collaborating to resolve any potential GPS interference during the Crew Dragon’s docking with the station.
During a recent press conference, 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 confirmed the crew’s readiness and positive spirits.
The mission follows CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent involvement in the Artemis II mission, where he orbited the moon.
Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s significant contributions to the space station, emphasizing the country’s role in building the mobile servicing system.
The crew will undergo a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility before heading to the pad to board the Crew Dragon capsule and prepare for launch.
On a personal note, Kutryk’s wife, Heather, is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
Upon launch, the crew will rendezvous with the ISS in a few hours, marking one of the fastest Dragon missions to the station.
If weather conditions do not permit a Thursday launch, the next opportunity will be on Friday morning, ensuring that the mission proceeds only when all conditions are optimal.
Kutryk’s readiness and high spirits were emphasized by Caron, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the mission and the hopes for a successful launch.
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