NASA Set to Broadcast the Launch Activities for SpaceX Crew-10 Mission
NASA is preparing to offer live coverage of the prelaunch and launch activities for its SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which aims to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to expand human presence in space through its Commercial Crew Program. The anticipated liftoff is scheduled for 7:48 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Wednesday, March 12, from the iconic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS at approximately 10 a.m. the following day, March 13.
Coverage and Streaming Information
The mission’s events will be accessible to the public through various platforms. NASA’s official website will host the mission overview teleconference, while other key events such as the crew news conference, launch, post-launch briefings, and docking will be broadcast live on NASA+. For those interested in following the mission, detailed instructions on how to stream these events through different platforms, including social media, are provided on NASA’s website.
The Crew and Mission Objectives
The Crew-10 mission will be carried out using SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which will transport a diverse international team to the ISS. The crew comprises NASA astronauts Anne McClain, who will take on the role of mission commander, and Nichole Ayers, serving as the pilot. Accompanying them are mission specialists Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Kirill Peskov from Russia’s Roscosmos. This mission marks the tenth crew rotation and the eleventh human spaceflight undertaken by NASA to the space station using the Dragon spacecraft since the inception of the Commercial Crew Program in 2020.
The mission is slated to last approximately four months, during which the crew will engage in various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations aboard the ISS. These activities are crucial for advancing NASA’s understanding of living and working in space, which is vital for future deep-space missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.
Media and Public Engagement
Although the deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch has passed, NASA continues to provide comprehensive online resources for media personnel. Accredited media members can access live video feeds and receive daily updates through the agency’s media resources distribution list.
Timeline of Events
Here is a detailed timeline of the key events leading up to and following the launch, with all times listed in Eastern Time and subject to change based on real-time operations:
Friday, March 7
- 2 p.m.: A media event at Kennedy Space Center will mark the crew’s arrival. The event will feature the Crew-10 team, including NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. This event will be broadcast live on NASA Kennedy’s social media platforms.
- 5:30 p.m.: A mission overview teleconference will be held, featuring key figures such as Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, and other NASA and SpaceX officials. Audio coverage will be available online.
- 6:30 p.m.: A Crew-10 news conference will follow the teleconference, providing insights into the mission’s goals and preparations. This event will also be broadcast live on NASA+.
Wednesday, March 12
- 3:45 p.m.: Launch coverage begins on NASA+.
- 7:48 p.m.: Scheduled launch time.
Post-launch, NASA will continue to provide audio coverage until the spacecraft’s rendezvous with the ISS, at which point live video coverage will resume.
Thursday, March 13
- 8:15 a.m.: Coverage of the spacecraft’s arrival at the ISS begins.
- 10 a.m.: Targeted docking time with the ISS.
- 11:45 a.m.: Hatch opening.
- 12:20 p.m.: Welcome ceremony for the Crew-10 team.
For the most current updates on these events, follow NASA’s space station blog.
Additional Viewing and Participation Options
NASA will offer a live video feed from Launch Complex 39A starting approximately six hours before the scheduled liftoff. This feed will continue uninterrupted until the prelaunch broadcast begins four hours before launch. The live feed can be accessed through NASA’s YouTube channel.
On launch day, comprehensive coverage will be available on NASA’s website, including live streaming and blog updates. On-demand video and photos of the launch will be accessible shortly thereafter. For those unable to attend in person, NASA offers a virtual guest program that includes curated launch resources and notifications.
Social Media Interaction
NASA encourages the public to engage with the mission on social media by using hashtags like #Crew10 and #NASASocial. Stay connected through NASA’s various social media accounts on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
For Spanish-speaking audiences, NASA provides coverage through NASA en Español, which offers mission updates on platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
The Importance of the Commercial Crew Program
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program represents a significant milestone in space exploration by fostering partnerships with private industry to facilitate safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS. By leveraging the capabilities of American private companies like SpaceX, NASA is broadening access to low Earth orbit, enabling more scientific research and commercial opportunities.
The ISS serves as a pivotal platform for advancing human space exploration, providing a foundation for NASA’s future missions to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. With the continued success of the Commercial Crew Program, NASA is paving the way for a new era of human spaceflight, one that holds the promise of unlocking new scientific discoveries and expanding humanity’s reach into the cosmos.
For further information on NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, please visit NASA’s official website.
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