NASA's Crew 7 mission is ready to conclude their nearly six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with four astronauts and are preparing to return back to Earth . Throughout their extended stay, these astronauts have been diligently engaged in conducting several scientific experiments and technology demonstrations aimed at benefiting humanity and advancing NASA's readiness for future space missions.
Mission Overview
SpaceX Crew-7 consisted of four crew members:
- Commander: Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA)
- Pilot: Andreas Mogensen (ESA)
- Mission Specialist: Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA)
- Mission Specialist: Konstantin Borisov (Roscosmos)
Image credit: NASA/Bill Stafford and Robert Markowitz
SpaceX Crew-7 is the seventh crewed operational NASA Commercial Crew flight of a Crew launched on 26 August 2023 On Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
This mission was part of Expedition 69 and contributed to various scientific research projects during their stay in orbit. With the recent arrival of four members of the Crew 8 mission, the ISS is currently housing 11 astronauts from the US, Europe, Russia and Japan. The Crew 7 is “preparing to wrap up their nearly six-month science mission, and bring home time-sensitive research to Earth,” NASA said.
Departure Preparations
The crew began preparations for their return with a change-of-command ceremony on March 10, 2024. This event marked the official handover of station control to the next commanding officer.
Undocking and Return
The undocking of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the ISS was scheduled for 11:05 a.m. EDT on March 11, 2024. The spacecraft's journey back to Earth included a deorbit burn and re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
Splashdown
The splashdown is targeted for as early as 5:35 a.m. EDT on March 12, 2024, off the coast of Florida. This will mark the completion of their mission, with the crew bringing back time-sensitive research and experiments done during their stay at ISS.
Post-Mission Activities
Following the splashdown, a media conference has been scheduled with key participants from NASA, ESA, JAXA, and SpaceX to discuss the mission's outcomes and the crew's experiences.
Crew 7 launch Image credit: NASA
Scientific Contributions
The Crew-7 mission's scientific contributions are significant, ranging from biology and biotechnology to physical sciences and Earth observation. They conducted studies exploring the effects of spaceflight on immune function, developed innovative methods for eliminating contaminants from wastewater, and investigated the feasibility of cultivating food in the microgravity environment of space. Additionally, the team successfully deployed two CubeSats, which serve a cost-effective alternatives to traditional satellites, contributing to our ongoing efforts to expand our understanding of space technology and exploration.
Astronauts collected samples during spacewalks to determine if the ISS releases microorganisms. These samples will be returned to Earth for further analysis.
Another study done by the crew aims to assess sleep differences on Earth and in space. Conditions in space also affect the sleep patterns of astronauts. This in turn can impact their overall health. To investigate that, scientists sent an earbud electroencephalogram (EEG) device that measured the brain activity of astronauts when they slept. The improvised device is less complicated compared to the standard EEGs and is easy to handle.
The mission also conducted the first study of "human response to varying spaceflight durations" which intended to monitor how conditions in space affect humans. This could very well be among the most crucial investigations performed on the Crew 7 mission. The results from this investigation will be crucial in helping plan the duration of crewed expeditions to the Moon and Mars.
Along with all the aforementioned scientific studies, the Crew 7 mission astronauts also carried out routine maintenance activities on the ISS.
The Crew 7 mission exemplifies NASA's unwavering commitment to advancing scientific research and technological innovation in space. As the astronauts prepare to bid farewell to their orbiting laboratory and return to Earth, the invaluable insights gained from their experiments are set to make significant contributions to various scientific disciplines, ultimately benefiting all of humanity both on and off the planet.
Endurance docked to the Harmony module of ISS Image credit: NASA
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