After the mission had been postponed earlier in the week, SpaceX launched four astronauts toward the International Space Station early on Thursday.&n
After the mission had been postponed earlier in the week, SpaceX launched four astronauts toward the International Space Station early on Thursday.
At 12:34 a.m. EST, the rocket was launched from Launch Complex 39A of the Kennedy Space Center, according to WFTV.
According to The Associated Press, the team included the first astronaut from an Arab country to spend a full six months there. According to the news source, Sultan al-Neyadi became the second astronaut from the United Arab Emirates to travel to space.
The Washington Post reported that in addition to Andrey Fedyaev from Russia, the team also included NASA astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen.
Since receiving a $2.6 billion contract, NASA has carried out six operational human spaceflight missions, according to the publication. In addition, it launched two crews of private citizens and carried out a test mission for two NASA astronauts in 2020, reported the Post.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Friday, said the AP.
The crew will carry out more than 200 experiments and technological demos while they are at the station, according to WFTV. According to the television network, they are associated with life, physical sciences, advanced materials, technological advancement, applications for in-space production, and student-led study.
An issue with a ground system caused SpaceX to postpone an early launch attempt on Monday, according to the Post. According to the publication, the ground system provides a liquid that, when combined with liquid oxygen, ignites the rocket booster’s nine engines.
