All attention will be on the weather conditions 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, alongside Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will be the commander and pilot, respectively. The team will be launched into space aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
The weather forecast for Cape Canaveral, Florida, shows some variability with possibilities of showers and potential thunderstorms. Initially slated to fly on a Boeing CST-100 Starliner, Kutryk was reassigned to SpaceX following significant setbacks faced by the former.
Recent reports indicate a potential issue on the ISS concerning the malfunction of Canadarm2, the robotic arm used for spacecraft maneuvers and spacewalks. Engineers observed communication errors post a specific maneuver and are working with SpaceX to ensure smooth docking operations for Crew Dragon without any GPS interference.
During a press conference, Lorie Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator for human spaceflight, expressed confidence in the readiness of the crew for the mission. Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program, also confirmed the positive spirits and preparedness of the crew for the upcoming launch.
The mission follows just six months after CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s participation in the Artemis II mission, where he orbited the moon. Mathieu Caron, director of CSA’s astronaut office, highlighted Canada’s crucial contributions to the ISS, particularly mentioning the mobile servicing system that facilitated the construction of the space station.
The crew is scheduled for a traditional walk-out from their quarantine facility at approximately 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, followed by preparations at the pad and boarding of the Crew Dragon capsule for launch. Notably, Kutryk’s wife Heather is expected to give birth to their third child while he is in orbit.
If the launch proceeds as planned, the crew anticipates reaching the ISS within a few hours, marking one of the fastest Dragon missions to the station. In case of unfavorable weather conditions on Thursday, the next launch opportunity will be on Friday morning. Emphasizing readiness and safety, Glaze affirmed that the mission will only proceed when all conditions are optimal.
Amidst the final preparations, Kutryk’s high spirits and readiness for the mission were highlighted by Caron, reflecting the team’s collective enthusiasm and dedication.
