Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida to the International Space Station has been scrubbed for today, Monday, Februray 27. The UAE’s second astronaut, Sultan Al Neyadi, was part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was set to launch the Crew-6 Dragon spacecraft named ‘Endeavour’ for the Expedition 69 to ISS at 10.45 am UAE time.

Here are the events as they happened today:  

Next available attempt

NASA and SpaceX scrubbed Monday’s launch attempt of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station due to a ground systems issue. Mission teams decided to stand down to investigate an issue preventing data from confirming a full load of the ignition source for the Falcon 9 first stage Merlin engines, triethylaluminum triethylboron (or TEA-TEB).

SpaceX has removed propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket and the astronauts have exited the Dragon spacecraft for astronaut crew quarters. Both the Falcon 9 and Dragon are in a safe configuration.

NASA and SpaceX will forgo a launch opportunity on Tuesday, Feb. 28, due to unfavorable weather forecast conditions.

The next available launch attempt is at 9.34am UAE time (12.34am EST) Thursday, March 2, pending resolution of the technical issue preventing Monday’s launch.

NASA and SpaceX will a hold media teleconference prior to the next launch attempt, and more details will be provided as available.

“I’m proud of the NASA and SpaceX teams’ focus and dedication to keeping Crew-6 safe,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Human spaceflight is an inherently risky endeavor and, as always, we will fly when we are ready,” NASA quotes Nelson as saying

We only have 5% possibility of violations (weather disturbances) and all looks good now

We have an instantaneous launch opportunity. At this point if we hold for any reason we will have to stand down and look at the backup launch opportunity which is tomorrow, just under 24 hours from tonight’s (day here) planned launch.

Loading propellants to Falcon 9

The Crew Access Arm has been retracted

From day 1 of our programme in 2017 we wanted to have a long term programme that will have positive impact on human flight: Salem Al Marri, DG, MBRSC

Our astronauts went through a full set of training with NASA and ROSCOSMOS so that they can contribute to the advancement of human space flight. So this mission is a fulfilment of that vision. Today when we get an astronaut from the UAE going on a six month inceement and doing the same things that the NASA astronauts are doing I think that really means a lot to the UAE: Salem Al Marri

Waiting for launch

Led by Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman MBRSC, the team of the Centre are anticipating the last hours of the launch of the longest Arab space mission in history..

All set to go

Crew-6 members are all strapped up and set to go!

Sultan Al Neyadi boarding the capsule

Crew-6 members bid farewell to families

Crew-6 stepping outside for the launch

Launch is cooperating wonderfully

Derrol Nail from NASA Communications and NASA astronaut Raja Chari are hosting the live broadcast of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Mission launch. They said the launch is cooperating wonderfully.

NASA astronauts from the US, Stephen Bowen (commander) and Warren Hoburg (pilot), and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev who is also a mission specialist.