NASA & SpaceX: Crew-4 mission is a ‘go’ for launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA and SpaceX teams have completed their launch readiness review for the upcoming Crew-4 mission.

The Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon Freedom sit on the launchpad ready to transport the four astronaut crew to the International Space Station.

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The four astronauts of #Crew4 are set to launch to our orbiting laboratory on April 27 at 3:52am ET (7:52 UTC).

Join us RIGHT NOW for the prelaunch teleconference with program experts: https://t.co/Ix6qiduQeI pic.twitter.com/zPlEYRnNLR
— NASA (@NASA) April 26, 2022

NASA administrator, Bill Nelson, said this is a busy time for the space agency.

“We are really in a golden era of space exploration. We’ve seen the first private astronaut mission that has successfully returned. Now, a 39-hour turn around and we’re going to launch Crew-4″ Nelson said.

Read: Following successful Axiom splashdown, officials turn to launching Crew-4 mission

If all goes as planned, NASA astronauts Kjell Llindgren, Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins, along with European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, will be well on their way to docking with the ISS.

NASA Associate Administrator Kathy Lueders said with current weather predictions, all that is left is to get ready for launch.

Read: The Crew-4 launch has been delayed. Here’s when to look up now

“This is the time you’ve got to rest and get ready to fly and still be watching the hardware and making sure you’re making the right decision,” Lueders said. “When you have a 10% probability of violation that makes it a pretty easy launch decision for us.”

READ: Moon rocket to return to VAB for repairs ahead of ‘wet dress rehearsal’

Once docked with the ISS, there will be a brief handover between the Crew-4 and Crew-3 astronauts before Crew-3 returns for splashdown off the Florida coast.

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Photos: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts for NASA Guests watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission with NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer onboard, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, from the balcony of Operations Support Building II at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP)

Photos: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts for NASA European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer, of Germany, waves as he gets into a car before a trip to Launch Pad-39-A Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX counted down Wednesday toward a nighttime launch of four astronauts who have been grounded for nearly two weeks by weather and medical delays. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Photos: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts for NASA Astronaut Matthias Maurer, of Germany, makes a heart symbol with his hands as he is strapped into a vehicle for a trip to Launch Pad-39-A Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX counted down Wednesday toward a nighttime launch of four astronauts who have been grounded for nearly two weeks by weather and medical delays. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Photos: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts for NASA Astronaut Raja Chari stands under an umbrella as he talks to family members before heading to Launch Pad 39-A Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX counted down Wednesday toward a nighttime launch of four astronauts who have been grounded for nearly two weeks by weather and medical delays. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Photos: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts for NASA From left, European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer of Germany, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron gather for a photo after arriving at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. SpaceX counted down Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 toward a nighttime launch the four astronauts who have been grounded for nearly two weeks by weather and medical delays. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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