NASA and its associates are set to shed light on the forthcoming Expedition 73 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) during two news conferences scheduled for Monday, February 24, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. These events will provide an in-depth look at the preparations for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 launch in March and the subsequent crew rotation involving the Soyuz spacecraft in April. The overview will be broadcast live on NASA’s official streaming service, NASA+, which can be accessed through various platforms, including social media.
The day’s agenda includes an overview briefing at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and a crew-focused news conference at 4 p.m., followed by individual interviews with crew members starting at 5 p.m. This marks the last media interaction with the Crew-10 team before they head to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for their much-anticipated launch.
Slated for launch on Wednesday, March 12, the Crew-10 mission will feature a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, which will transport NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the ISS. Another notable participant in the mission’s briefings is NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who is scheduled for an April 8 launch to the space station aboard the Soyuz MS-27. Kim will also be available for limited virtual interviews before his launch.
For those unfamiliar with some of these terms, a Soyuz launch refers to the deployment of a spacecraft using the Russian Soyuz rocket system, a reliable workhorse in space missions. The Falcon 9, on the other hand, is a reusable rocket designed by SpaceX, known for its ability to return to Earth for refurbishment and reuse, reducing the cost of space travel.
Media personnel based in the United States interested in attending the briefings in person are required to contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21. International and U.S. media wishing to participate via phone must do so by 9:45 a.m. on the day of the event. Requests for remote interviews with the crew must also be submitted by February 21.
The news conferences will feature key figures in the space industry, including:
2 p.m. Expedition 73 Overview News Conference:
– Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters
– Steve Stich, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at NASA Kennedy
– Bill Spetch, Operations Integration Manager for NASA’s International Space Station Program at NASA Johnson
– William Gerstenmaier, Vice President of Build & Flight Reliability at SpaceX
– Mayumi Matsuura, Vice President and Director General of the Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate at JAXA
4 p.m. Expedition 73 Crew News Conference:
– Jonny Kim, Soyuz MS-27 Flight Engineer, NASA
– Anne McClain, Crew-10 Spacecraft Commander, NASA
– Nichole Ayers, Crew-10 Pilot, NASA
– Takuya Onishi, Crew-10 Mission Specialist, JAXA
– Kirill Peskov, Crew-10 Mission Specialist, Roscosmos
5 p.m. Crew Individual Interview Opportunities:
– Crew-10 members and Jonny Kim will be available for a limited number of interviews
Jonny Kim, who is embarking on his inaugural space mission, is a noteworthy figure in the astronaut corps. A Los Angeles native, he is a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and has served in multiple capacities, including as a Navy SEAL and a flight surgeon. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of San Diego and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Kim has been involved in various roles at NASA, including serving as the lead operations officer for Expedition 65 and as a liaison for T-38 operations, among others.
Anne McClain, a seasoned astronaut, is making her second journey into space. A colonel in the U.S. Army, McClain holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Point and multiple Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering, International Security, and Strategic Studies. Her military background includes being a pilot and instructor in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter, with over 2,300 flight hours in various aircraft. Her first space mission involved 204 days aboard the ISS during Expeditions 58 and 59, during which she performed two spacewalks.
Nichole Ayers, a major in the U.S. Air Force, is venturing into space for the first time. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021, she has an impressive background as an instructor pilot and mission commander for the T-38 ADAIR and F-22 Raptor. Ayers boasts over 1,400 flight hours, including combat missions, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Computational and Applied Mathematics.
Takuya Onishi, representing JAXA, is preparing for his second mission to the ISS. A former pilot for All Nippon Airways, Onishi has over 3,700 flight hours and has previously served as a flight engineer during Expeditions 48 and 49. He’s recognized for his role in capturing the Cygnus spacecraft and setting up experimental environments aboard the Japanese experiment module, Kibo.
Kirill Peskov, making his debut as a cosmonaut, brings a background in engineering and aviation, having worked as a co-pilot on the Boeing 757 and 767 for Russian airlines. His training as a cosmonaut includes skills in skydiving, zero-gravity training, scuba diving, and wilderness survival.
For those interested in how NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration for the benefit of humanity, more information can be found about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program on their official website.
In conclusion, the Expedition 73 mission is a testament to international collaboration and technological advancement in the field of space exploration. Each member of the Crew-10 team brings a unique skill set and background, contributing to the mission’s overall success. Whether it’s understanding the role of reusable rockets like the Falcon 9 or appreciating the training and expertise of astronauts and cosmonauts, this mission promises to be a significant step forward in human space travel. For further details and to stay updated, you can visit NASA’s official site or follow their social media channels.
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