Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk is gearing up for his journey to the International Space Station (ISS), with all eyes fixed on the weather conditions forecasted for Thursday morning.
Kutryk, aged 44, is set to 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 will take on the role of commander, with Luke Delaney piloting the mission. Their voyage to space will be aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Weather reports indicate that Cape Canaveral, Fla., may experience some variability with chances of showers and potential thunderstorms on launch day.
Originally slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks faced by the former company.
In a separate development, NASA has been addressing concerns related to the International Space Station’s Canadarm2, a crucial robotic arm used for various tasks including spacecraft capturing and spacewalk assistance. Reports indicate that the arm encountered communication errors post a maneuver, prompting NASA and SpaceX to collaborate to ensure smooth operations during Crew Dragon’s docking process.
During a recent press conference, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the readiness of the crew, mentioning positive interactions with the astronauts. Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the crew’s enthusiasm and preparedness for the mission.
The upcoming mission follows closely on the heels of CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent involvement in the Artemis II mission, further solidifying Canada’s contributions to space exploration.
The crew is scheduled to depart from their quarantine facility for a traditional walkout at around 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, proceeding to the launch pad for capsule boarding and pre-launch procedures.
In a personal twist, Kutryk’s wife, Heather, is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
Once launched, the crew aims to rendezvous with the ISS within a few hours, potentially marking one of the fastest Dragon missions to the station, according to Weigel.
In the event of unfavorable weather on Thursday, the next launch opportunity is slated for Friday morning, with safety being a top priority, as emphasized by Glaze.
Amidst these developments, Kutryk’s readiness and enthusiasm for the mission have been highlighted, with Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, expressing optimism and high spirits for the upcoming launch.