NASA astronauts on board the International Space Station are gearing up for a major relocation of the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft to make way for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on May 2. The entire process will be broadcast live on NASA TV and various platforms starting at 7:30 a.m. EDT.
The astronauts will begin by undocking the spacecraft from the Harmony module’s forward-facing port at 7:45 a.m. Following this, they will autonomously dock it to the space-facing port at 8:28 a.m. This move is crucial as it will free up the forward-facing port for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is scheduled to carry NASA astronauts to the space station in May.
Interestingly, this won’t be the first time the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has been relocated during crew missions. In fact, it has been moved three times previously. The ongoing Crew-8 mission, which was launched in March as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is set to return this fall.
For those who are keen on staying updated on the activities at the space station, NASA recommends following their social media platforms and the space station blog. Additionally, contact information for NASA Headquarters and the Johnson Space Center has been provided for any further inquiries.
Overall, the upcoming spacecraft relocation is expected to be a significant and carefully orchestrated event, showcasing the precision and expertise of NASA astronauts as they make way for new arrivals at the International Space Station.
