All eyes are set on the weather forecast for Thursday morning, as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk readies for his journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Kutryk, aged 44, will serve as a mission specialist for NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS, joining forces with Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will assume the roles of commander and pilot, respectively, for the mission aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
The weather outlook at Cape Canaveral, Fla., anticipates some variability, with possibilities of showers and potential thunderstorms. Originally slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks encountered by Boeing.
NASA is currently addressing an issue concerning the International Space Station, notably the malfunction of the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which is crucial for spacecraft maneuvers and spacewalk support. NASA and SpaceX are collaborating to rectify potential GPS interference concerns during the Crew Dragon docking process.
During a recent press briefing, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the readiness of the crew, stating they are fully prepared for the mission. Echoing this sentiment, Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, highlighted the crew’s positive spirits and enthusiasm for the upcoming journey.
The upcoming mission follows closely after CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s recent voyage around the moon as part of the Artemis II mission. Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, emphasized the significance of Canada’s contributions to the ISS, particularly the mobile servicing system pivotal in the station’s construction.
The crew is scheduled to undergo a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility at approximately 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, proceeding to the launch pad to board the Crew Dragon capsule and finalize pre-launch preparations. In a personal note, Kutryk’s wife Heather is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
In the event of a successful launch, the crew is expected to rendezvous with the ISS within a few hours, making it one of the quickest Dragon missions to the station. However, in case of unfavorable weather conditions on Thursday, the next launch opportunity is scheduled for Friday morning.
Emphasizing safety and readiness, Glaze assured that flights are only conducted when all necessary conditions are met. Kutryk’s high level of preparedness was underscored by Caron, who expressed optimism for a smooth mission ahead.