{"id":10257,"date":"2023-11-06T22:41:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T14:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/private-astronaut-mission-likely-first-to-use-spacexs-new-crew-access-tower\/"},"modified":"2023-11-06T22:41:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T14:41:32","slug":"private-astronaut-mission-likely-first-to-use-spacexs-new-crew-access-tower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/private-astronaut-mission-likely-first-to-use-spacexs-new-crew-access-tower\/","title":{"rendered":"Private astronaut mission likely first to use SpaceX\u2019s new crew access tower"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_64335\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-64335\" style=\"width: 678px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-64335\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Crew-Access-Adam.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"678\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Crew-Access-Adam.jpg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Crew-Access-Adam-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-64335\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crew access arm is manuevered into place on the newly constructed tower at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Image: Adam Bernstein\/Spaceflight Now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A crew access arm was lifted into place at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral on Monday, as SpaceX races to ready the pad for its first Crew Dragon launch with astronauts as soon as January.<\/p>\n<p>Multiple sources tell SpaceFlight Now that Axiom Space\u2019s third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will likely mark the debut of the new tower, thanks to a packed schedule at Launch Complex-39A. The mission, commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael L\u00f3pez-Alegr\u00eda, will send three European astronauts on a trip to the space station for up to 14 days.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SpaceX adds crew access arm to Cape Canaveral launch pad\" width=\"678\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2IGXkYoDkaM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Currently, SpaceX and Russia\u2019s agency, Roscosmos, are the only tickets to the ISS and it\u2019s the lone option currently in the United States until Boeing\u2019s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft enters the rotation next year.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but SpaceX currently only has one launch pad from which it can launch astronauts, as well as cargo missions, to the ISS: Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center.<\/p>\n<p>Over the course of 2023, SpaceX has been working to change that with the construction of a new crew and cargo access tower at its second Florida launch pad: Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at CCSFS.<\/p>\n<p>If the tower isn\u2019t ready in time to support that mission, Ax-3 could still launch from LC-39A as all other SpaceX-flown astronaut missions have been going back to 2020. However, that would cause much more congestion on an already packed schedule for LC-39A.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_64331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-64331\" style=\"width: 876px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-64331\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ax3_SpaceX_KSCTraining_HangarX_PRIME_20230802_0015.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"876\" height=\"584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ax3_SpaceX_KSCTraining_HangarX_PRIME_20230802_0015.jpeg 876w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ax3_SpaceX_KSCTraining_HangarX_PRIME_20230802_0015-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ax3_SpaceX_KSCTraining_HangarX_PRIME_20230802_0015-678x452.jpeg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ax3_SpaceX_KSCTraining_HangarX_PRIME_20230802_0015-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 876px) 100vw, 876px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-64331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crew of the Ax-3 mission pose in front of the Falcon 9 booster that will launch them to the ISS in mid-January. From left to right, they are Alper Gezeravc\u0131, Marcus Wandt, Michael L\u00f3pez-Alegr\u00eda, Walter Villadei. Image: Axiom Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Packed launch schedule<\/b><\/p>\n<p>One of the key reasons why Ax-3 might be the mission that would debut the tower capabilities at SLC-40 is a pair of launches scheduled within days of each other that require the currently unique capabilities of LC-39A.<\/p>\n<p>No earlier than Jan. 12, a Falcon 9 rocket will be used to launch the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) mission from Intuitive Machines. The Nova C lander flying to the Moon\u2019s South Pole must be fueled at the launch pad using equipment only available at 39A.<\/p>\n<p>In an <b>interview<\/b> with Spaceflight Now last month, IM\u2019s Vice President of Lunar Access Trent Martin said that they will also conduct a wet dress rehearsal \u201cseveral days before the launch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to fuel as late as possible. SpaceX has been very accommodating and they\u2019re providing us a service that gives us liquid oxygen, liquid methane,\u201d Martin said in October. \u201cThey\u2019ll fill up until the very last minute, so that we\u2019re as full as possible and we have the highest chance of success at landing on the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_64211\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-64211\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-64211\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/53251490051_22760974f9_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/53251490051_22760974f9_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/53251490051_22760974f9_c-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/53251490051_22760974f9_c-678x381.jpg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/53251490051_22760974f9_c-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-64211\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The completed Nova-C lander for the IM-1 mission is photographed in mid-October at Intuitive Machines\u2019 facilities in Houston, Texas, ahead of it being shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image: Intuitive Machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Those launches are boxed in on either side by other high priority missions.<\/p>\n<p>Starting Nov. 9, a Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch the 29th SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-29) mission to the ISS, which will send thousands of pounds of cargo and science experiments up to the crew on orbit. That is expected to be followed by the fifth and final Falcon Heavy of 2023: the USSF-52 national security mission.<\/p>\n<p>It takes about three weeks to convert the launch pad from a Falcon 9 to a Falcon Heavy configuration.<\/p>\n<p>On the other side of Ax-3\u2019s roughly two-week mission, the SpaceX Crew-8 quartet are expected to launch no earlier than mid-February. Commander and NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick will lead the mission alongside pilot Michael Barratt, mission specialist Jeanette Epps and mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin.<\/p>\n<p>Houston-based Axiom Space was planning to see its third commercial flight to the space station fly from pad 39A within a few days of the IM-1 launch and NASA wants it to go on schedule to avoid disrupting a busy space station traffic plan in early 2024. The IM-1 mission, which only has one, short launch window a month, could face long delays if it gets bumped out of its January window.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_64337\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-64337\" style=\"width: 678px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-64337\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-CAA_rise.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"678\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-CAA_rise.jpg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-CAA_rise-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-64337\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Despite high winds in the Cape Canaveral area, a massive crane hoisted the crew access arm into the air at pad 40. Image: Adam Bernstein\/Spaceflight Now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Having the option to launch Ax-3 from SLC-40 would allow SpaceX to meet all of their customers\u2019 needs and accommodate more opportunities in a smaller timeframe. That of course, relies upon the crew and cargo access tower being ready in time.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, construction crews began hoisting the crew access arm into place using a series of cranes and harnesses. This is one of the last major components that needs to be in place, in addition to the emergency egress system, a zip-line-like escape system that would allow astronauts and support personnel to quickly get away from the tower, if needed.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_64338\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-64338\" style=\"width: 678px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-64338\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Last-Tower-Segment.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"678\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Last-Tower-Segment.jpg 678w, https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/20231106-Last-Tower-Segment-300x183.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-64338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The final section of the crew access tower is transported from SpaceX\u2019s Robert\u2019s Road facility to pad 40. In the background is NASA\u2019s Artemis launch pad tower at complex 39B. Image: Spaceflight Now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In previous press conferences with NASA and SpaceX officials, said the tower should be finished with construction by the end of 2023.<\/p>\n<p><b>Astronauts get priority<\/b><\/p>\n<p>While the plan right now is for Ax-3 to use SLC-40 and IM-1 to use LC-39A, it all depends on the tower\u2019s readiness. If that doesn\u2019t come to fruition in time though, sources tell Spaceflight Now that Ax-3 will get first priority to launch from LC-39A in January and the IM-1 mission would be delayed to a later date.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the new tower doesn\u2019t get the clearance for use supporting Ax-3 in time for that mission, with increasing requests to launch more to the ISS and commercial space stations after that, it will certainly be a valuable asset for SpaceX and its customers heading into 2024 and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The crew access arm is manuevered into place on the newly constructed tower at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. Image: Adam Bernstein\/Spaceflight Now. A crew access arm was lifted into place at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral on Monday, as SpaceX races to ready the pad for its first Crew Dragon [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1475,376,524,1451,503,316],"class_list":["post-10257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ax-3","tag-axiom-space","tag-commercial-crew","tag-im-1","tag-intuitive-machines","tag-spacex"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10257"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10257\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}