Spacecraft With Japanese Astronaut Wakata To Launch Oct.3 Or Later
US space agency NASA says its SpaceX Crew Dragon with Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi and three others on board will launch no earlier than October 3.
NASA made the announcement on Thursday, pushing back the earliest possible departure date from September 29. The agency said the adjustment allows for extra separation from other spacecraft traffic going to and from the space station.
The Crew-5 mission will carry Wakata, two NASA astronauts, and a Russian cosmonaut. It will be Wakata's fifth spaceflight, and the first trip for the other three members.
The mission will mean Wakata has been to space more times than any other Japanese astronaut.
The Crew-5 members will stay at the International Space Station for about six months. While they are there, they will conduct experiments that will help with the exploration of the Moon and Mars in the future.