Embarking on an extraordinary expedition that has captivated the world, the Crew-6 astronauts of SpaceX are now preparing to bring their historic mission to a close from the awe-inspiring International Space Station (ISS).
The astronauts aboard Crew-6 of SpaceX are set to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). (Photo from Pexels.com)
This momentous journey, filled with unparalleled achievements and groundbreaking discoveries, has left an indelible mark on the annals of space exploration.
In a report from Space.com, SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronauts are preparing themselves for their return journey back to Earth from International Space Station (ISS). In a press conference held on Wednesday (Aug. 23), the Crew-6 quartet shared their thoughts and experiences before their anticipated departure from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 2. For those interested, the live coverage of their departure can be watched on Space.com.
Commander Stephen Bowen of NASA expressed his admiration for the Crew-6 team, describing them as an incredible group to work with. He emphasized the privilege and honor he felt spending time on board the International Space Station with them, stating that he couldn’t imagine a better crew.
As the Crew-6 members prepare to bid farewell to the International Space Station, new colleagues are getting ready to join them. The upcoming SpaceX Crew-7 mission will see a fresh foursome of astronauts launching to the International Space Station on Friday (Aug. 25) at 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 GMT). The docking is expected to take place early Saturday morning (Aug. 26). The launch can also be watched live on Space.com and through NASA Television.
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According to an article published in MSN, earlier this month, NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg, a member of Crew-6, shared a video from the Kibo module on the International Space Station (ISS).
The video showcased the airlock on X (formerly Twitter), which allows scientific experiments and cubesats to be sent into space from the ISS. Hoburg has been providing a series of behind-the-scenes looks at the International Space Station during his breaks from scientific work, spacewalking, and maintenance activities.
Other recent videos have featured Canadarm2 robotics training and the observation of free-flying robots around the International Space Station. Hoburg aimed to capture authentic moments without much preparation and share the incredible work done in space.
Crew-6 launched on March 2 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and has been focused on completing numerous experiments. The crew also achieved notable milestones during three spacewalks, including the first spacewalk by a UAE citizen, Al Neyadi, who expressed his enthusiasm for inspiring students worldwide.
Crew-6 will be departing soon, but Hoburg paid tribute to a NASA colleague who will remain on the ISS for a bit longer. Astronaut Frank Rubio’s mission was extended from six to 12 months due to a spacecraft leak in December 2022. Hoburg acknowledged Rubio’s sacrifice of being away from his family and commended his service to the space station.
Rubio is expected to return home next month, assuming everything goes according to plan. Russia sent a new Soyuz spacecraft, MS-23, to Rubio and his crewmates on Feb. 25. While they can safely return home at any time, they are waiting for Soyuz MS-24 to arrive in mid-September with their relief crew.
The relief crew consists of NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos astronauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.
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