SpaceX Crew-5 mission members are now on the launch pad to achieve their destiny.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 flight members have recently reported to the space agency's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to start final preparations for Crew-5's launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Oct. 5.
People interested in watching the launching of SpaceX's Crew-5 mission live on launch day can do so through NASA TV, the NASA App, and its official website.
SpaceX Crew-5 Flight Crew Arrival
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 crew members wave after arriving at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, Oct. 1. The launch is targeted for noon EDT Wednesday, Oct. 5, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.
NASA mentioned in an announcement that Crew-5 flight members, which consists of NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, have arrived at the KSC earlier than scheduled.
According to an earlier statement, the flight crew is not expected to arrive until 12:30 pm on Oct. 1. Regardless of their arrival, all four crew members will call KSC's Astronaut Crew Questers home until Oct. 5.
You may remember that SpaceX's Crew-5 mission flight crew will be sent to the International Space Station through the company's Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon Endurance spacecraft, which is expected to arrive at its destination on Oct. 6 at 4:57 PM EDT.
The launch was previously scheduled to happen on Oct. 3 but was delayed to Oct. 5 due to Hurricane Ian's arrival in Florida, per Space.com.
Cassada, who is assigned to be the commander of the mission, mentioned that going to the International Space Station is a "remarkable opportunity" for all four of them and that they have trained and prepared for the launch, return, and the time they'll be spending in space.
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"It's time to get to work," Cassada said in a press conference during their arrival. "Nobody does this alone, and we have thousands of people around the globe we need to thank for getting us to this spot."
Interestingly, the mission is also destined to be a first for the world as Mann will soon become the first Native American person to reach space.
Mann mentioned they're proud to represent Native Americans and their heritage, adding that celebrating diversity, collaboration, and unity among different peoples is important.
She also said she hopes that they being the first Native American in Space will serve as an inspiration for children and adults from varying backgrounds to follow their dreams and work together to make the impossible possible.
Handover Ceremony
SpaceX's Crew-5 flight members will participate in a handover ceremony with the company's Crew-4 mission, which consists of NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, along with European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
This ceremony will probably happen on Oct. 6 at 8:15 PM EDT, during or after Crew-5's Welcome Ceremony.
Afterward, SpaceX's Crew-4 flight members will depart the space station in a return trip home to Earth through a splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Related Article: NASA To Provide Coverage for SpaceX Crew-5 Launch — Here's How You Can Watch It Live
