Crew-7 the collaborative mission in Space
The Crew-7 mission, launched on August 26, 2023, is the seventh manned mission carried out by NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. Its objective is to carry four astronauts from different space agencies and nationalities to the International Space Station (ISS), where they will conduct scientific and technological experiments for six months.
A diverse and experienced crew
The Crew-7 mission crew is composed of:
- Jasmin MoghbeliShe is the commander of the Crew Dragon spacecraft "Endurance". She is the first woman of Iranian origin to fly in space and was selected by NASA in 2017.
- Andreas MogensenHe is the European Space Agency (ESA) pilot of the spacecraft. He is the first Dane to travel into space and the first non-American to serve as pilot of a Crew Dragon spacecraft.
- Satoshi Furukawafrom the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), mission specialist. It is the second space flight for this physician and engineer, who was already in the ISS in 2011.
- Konstantin Borisovfrom Roscosmos, mission specialist. It is the first space flight for this Russian cosmonaut, who was assigned to the mission as part of the crew exchange between NASA and Roscosmos.
This is the first time a spacecraft has been launched in the United States with each crewmember from a different country, reflecting the spirit of international cooperation that characterizes space exploration.
Un viaje exitoso y seguro
The Crew-7 mission lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. After about 24 hours of travel, it automatically docked to the zenith port of the ISS Harmony module, where the members of Expeditions 69 and 70 were waiting for them.
The Crew Dragon "Endurance" spacecraft is a reusable, autonomous capsule that can carry up to seven people into space. It features advanced safety systems, such as an emergency escape system, heat shields to protect against heat upon re-entry into the atmosphere, and four parachutes for a soft landing in the ocean.
The Crew-7 mission is yet another example of the success of the Commercial Crew Program, which seeks to foster the commercial development of space transportation and ensure continued safe access to the ISS for U.S. astronauts and their international partners.
