Dubai: NASA today confirmed that the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station, which includes UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi on the longest Arab space mission, is a ‘Go’ for tomorrow, March 2.

The first launch attempt at 10:45am UAE time on Monday was scrubbed about two and a half minutes before lift-off after the ignition glitch was detected.

“Mission teams stood down from a February 27 launch attempt to review an unusual data signature related to confirming a proper bleed in of pad supplied fluid known as triethylaluminum triethylboron [TEA-TEB)],” said NASA.

What is TEA-TEB?

TEA-TEB is an ignition fluid used to start the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine first-stage kerosene/liquid oxygen Merlin engines. The bleed-in process ensures there is an adequate supply of this fluid at each engine to mix with liquid oxygen to start the engines.

During pre-launch, the TEA-TEB fluid – which originates in a ground supply tank – flows to the rocket’s interface and back to a catch tank to remove gas from the ground plumbing. During engine start, the fluid then flows to the engines for ignition. Flow into the catch tank is one of several parameters used to determine that the fluid has been properly bled into the system, explained NASA.

Clogged filter replaced

After a thorough review of the data and ground system, NASA and SpaceX determined that there was a reduced flow back to the ground TEA-TEB catch tank due to a clogged ground filter.

“This clogged filter fully-explained the signature observed on the launch attempt. SpaceX teams replaced the filter, purged the TEA-TEB line with nitrogen, and verified the lines are clean and ready for launch,” stated NASA.

95% favourable weather

Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron continue to predict a 95 per cent chance of favorable weather conditions for Crew-6 launch, with the ‘flight through precipitation rule’ serving as the primary weather concern.

24.5-hour space transit

Primary crew and mission specialist Al Neyadi, along with NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, mission commander, and Warren Hoburg, pilot, Roscosmos cosmonaut and mission specialist Andrey Fedyaev will travel to the space station for a science expedition mission.

The international crew will fly aboard the Dragon spacecraft named Endeavour, which previously flew NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2, and Axiom Mission 1 astronauts.

After an approximate 24.5-hour transit, the crew will dock to the space-facing port of the microgravity laboratory’s Harmony module about 1:17am (10:17am GST) Friday, March 3.

Hatch opening is targeted for approximately 3:27am., followed by the welcome ceremony about 3:40am. Arrival coverage on NASA TV and the agency's website begins Thursday, March 2, at 11:30 pm (8.30am GST on Friday).

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai will also broadcast the launch of the longest Arab space mission in Arabic.

“We are just a few hours away from the launch of the longest Arab space mission in history,” MBRSC tweeted with the details of the live coverage on its website that begins at 6am on Thursday here.

“With every moment that passes, the excitement mounts and ambition grows,” it added.

“Anyway, our crew is safe and our spirits are high,” he added.

Al Neyadi used an image of an astronaut in spacesuit spotting the UAE flag and the logo of the UAE Mission 2 in the post with the verse that he used to symbolise his willpower to take on the challenges.