4 astronauts from 4 countries launch for space station.
Four Astronauts Embark on Journey to International Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—In an exciting and historic moment, four astronauts from four different countries blasted off towards the International Space Station on Saturday. Their SpaceX capsule is expected to reach the orbiting lab on Sunday, replacing the four astronauts who have been living there since March.
The predawn liftoff from Kennedy Space Center saw a NASA astronaut joined by fliers from Denmark, Japan, and Russia. As they reached orbit, they clasped each other’s gloved hands, symbolizing the unity and collaboration of their mission.
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This launch marked the first time in U.S. history that every spacecraft seat was occupied by astronauts from different countries. Previously, NASA had always included its own astronauts on SpaceX taxi flights. However, due to a fortunate coincidence in timing, this unique crew composition was formed.
“We’re a united team with a common mission,” radioed NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli from orbit. NASA’s Ken Bowersox, space operations mission chief, expressed his excitement, saying, “Boy, what a beautiful launch… and with four international crew members, really an exciting thing to see.”
Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, a Marine pilot, is joined on this six-month mission by Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency, Satoshi Furukawa from Japan, and Konstantin Borisov from Russia.
“To explore space, we need to do it together,” emphasized Josef Aschbacher, the European Space Agency’s director general, just minutes before liftoff. “Space is really global, and international cooperation is key.”
The paths that led these astronauts to space are as diverse as their nationalities. Jasmin Moghbeli’s parents fled Iran during the 1979 revolution. Born in Germany and raised on New York’s Long Island, she joined the Marines and flew attack helicopters in Afghanistan. As a first-time space traveler, she hopes to inspire Iranian girls to aim high and believes in the power of self-belief.
Andreas Mogensen worked on oil rigs off the West African coast before becoming an astronaut. When people questioned his job choice, he would explain that “in the future we would need drillers in space,” just like Bruce Willis’ character in the movie “Armageddon.” He believes his experience on the rigs played a role in his selection as Denmark’s first astronaut.
Satoshi Furukawa spent a decade as a surgeon before becoming an astronaut for Japan. Similar to Mogensen, he has previously visited the International Space Station.
Konstantin Borisov, a space rookie, pursued engineering after studying business. In addition to his space endeavors, he runs a freediving school in Moscow and judges the sport, which involves divers holding their breath underwater without the use of oxygen tanks.
One of the perks of having an international crew is the variety of food available. Among the delicacies soaring to the International Space Station are Persian herbed stew, Danish chocolate, and Japanese mackerel.
As an extra treat for the spectators, SpaceX’s first-stage booster returned to Cape Canaveral shortly after liftoff. Thousands of people had gathered in the early-morning darkness to witness this historic event.
The liftoff was delayed by a day for additional data reviews of valves in the capsule’s life-support system. On the day of the launch, there was a minor fuel leak in the capsule’s thruster system, but SpaceX engineers quickly determined that it posed no threat.
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