Crew-6 astronauts launch to the ISS, including first Emirati long-duration crew member

This mission marked the second attempt to launch four people to the International Space Station (ISS) after an issue with the TEA-TEB engine ignition system scrubbed Monday’s attempt. To allow for continued American presence aboard the ISS, Axiom gave up a seat aboard Soyuz MS-18 in April 2021, allowing NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei to fly. Overall, the launch was a smooth countdown with no constraints from the vehicle or weather standpoints. SpaceX and NASA monitored weather along the eastern seaboard in case of an in-flight abort. The crew of four donned their spacesuits inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building ahead of the launch. Endeavour docked to the zenith docking port on the ISS’ Harmony module and will remain docked to the station for the duration of the mission. This allows it to be used as an “emergency lifeboat” should something go wrong while at the ISS.