NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 Launch Scrubbed

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continued for the Crew-7 mission on August 22, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Friday, August 25, launch opportunity for the agency’s Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station. Launch now is targeted at 3:27 a.m. Saturday, August 26, for SpaceX’s seventh crew rotation mission to the microgravity laboratory for NASA.

When NASA or any other space agency refers to a launch being “scrubbed,” it means that the planned launch of a rocket or spacecraft has been canceled for that specific launch window. A launch can be scrubbed for various reasons, including:

1. Weather Conditions: If there are adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds, thunderstorms, or other conditions that might compromise the safety of the launch, it might be scrubbed.
2. Technical Issues: Any technical or mechanical issue identified with the rocket, spacecraft, or ground equipment can lead to a scrub. This can range from software glitches to hardware malfunctions.
3. Range Safety: The area around the launch pad and the flight path of the rocket (referred to as the range) needs to be clear of vessels, aircraft, and other potential obstacles. If there’s an intrusion into this area, the launch could be scrubbed for safety reasons.
4. Health and Safety: Especially with manned missions, if there’s a health concern with any of the astronauts or even ground crew, the launch could be postponed.

When a launch is scrubbed, the agency will often try to identify a new launch window as soon as possible, depending on the reason for the scrub. If it’s weather-related, the next window could be the next day or even a few hours later. If it’s a technical issue, the delay could be longer while the problem is diagnosed and fixed.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 crew members are photographed in the Dragon Endurance spacecraft during a dry dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 22, 2023. From left are Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. Credit: SpaceX

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is set to launch four crew members to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos’s Konstantin Borisov. These astronauts will be launching from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to conduct research, technology demonstrations, and maintenance tasks on the ISS.

While on the space station, Crew-7 will engage in over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, ranging from microbial sample collection from the ISS’s exterior to studies on astronauts’ sleep. The mission is part of NASA’s effort to make the most of the space station’s capabilities, which has been a hub of continuous human activity for over 22 years, serving as a platform for research and skill development. The findings from the ISS help improve life on Earth and prepare astronauts for future longer-duration space trips, such as the upcoming NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.