Media accreditation is now open for the launch of the fifth SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
The earliest targeted launch date for the mission is Friday, Sept. 29, from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
TheCrew-5 launchwill carry two NASA astronauts Mission Commander Nicole Mann and Pilot Josh Cassada, along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, who will serve as mission specialists. This is the first spaceflight for Mann, Cassada and Kikina. It is the fifth trip for Wakata.
Following a crew handover period, astronauts from NASAs SpaceX Crew-4 mission are scheduled for return to Earth in October aboard their SpaceX Dragon Freedom.
Media accreditation deadlines for Crew-5 launch are as follows:
- U.S. media and U.S. citizens representing international media must apply no later than 4 p.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 1.
- International media without U.S. citizenship must apply no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22.
All accreditation requests should be submitted online.
