1 00:05:16,666 --> 00:05:19,669 Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you all so much 2 00:05:19,669 --> 00:05:23,806 for joining us out here this afternoon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 3 00:05:24,407 --> 00:05:26,142 We're here live in Florida. 4 00:05:26,142 --> 00:05:30,263 As we welcome the arrival of NASA's SpaceX crew, nine crew members, 5 00:05:30,263 --> 00:05:34,567 commander Nick Hague and mission specialist cosmonaut Alexander Gorman off. 6 00:05:35,651 --> 00:05:39,772 This will be their last stop before they launch as a two crew member flight aboard 7 00:05:39,772 --> 00:05:42,909 a SpaceX Dragon to the International Space Station 8 00:05:43,126 --> 00:05:46,129 no earlier than September 26th. 9 00:05:46,462 --> 00:05:48,614 I know we are all very eager to talk to the crew, 10 00:05:48,614 --> 00:05:52,719 but before we do so, I want to pass it off to Kennedy Space Center 11 00:05:52,902 --> 00:05:55,905 Deputy Director Kelvin Manning for opening remarks. 12 00:06:00,710 --> 00:06:01,694 Thanks, Reagan. 13 00:06:01,694 --> 00:06:02,795 Good afternoon. 14 00:06:02,795 --> 00:06:05,448 It's great to be here and seeing everybody. 15 00:06:06,466 --> 00:06:08,267 What a day to welcome these two amazing 16 00:06:08,267 --> 00:06:12,889 crew members to the world's most premier spaceport. 17 00:06:13,005 --> 00:06:16,459 Our spaceport has supported over 60 launches this year. 18 00:06:16,642 --> 00:06:20,830 Each one unique, each one important, and each one exciting. 19 00:06:21,431 --> 00:06:25,101 But despite the frequency of these launches, they are never routine. 20 00:06:25,518 --> 00:06:29,088 In a moment, we will welcome Nick and Alexander, who will be part 21 00:06:29,088 --> 00:06:33,609 of the agency's ninth operational crew rotation mission with fellow astronauts 22 00:06:33,609 --> 00:06:37,780 Butch and Sonny aboard our amazing International Space Station. 23 00:06:38,414 --> 00:06:40,850 But before that, I would like to take a moment 24 00:06:40,850 --> 00:06:44,353 to recognize our incredible NASA and SpaceX team 25 00:06:44,837 --> 00:06:48,591 whose diligence and dedication to this mission started months ago. 26 00:06:49,459 --> 00:06:52,095 Your commitment to the mission and the people supporting it 27 00:06:52,095 --> 00:06:55,098 do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for all of you. 28 00:06:55,882 --> 00:06:56,949 All the grown ups. 29 00:06:56,949 --> 00:07:00,436 Preparations for crew nine mission will culminate on launch day, 30 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:03,289 but we still have a busy days. 31 00:07:03,289 --> 00:07:07,009 Busy days ahead of us as we go through our final preparations. 32 00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:11,597 In addition to the crew's arrival, our teams will also gather on Monday 33 00:07:11,781 --> 00:07:14,684 for the flight readiness review ahead of the launch. 34 00:07:15,952 --> 00:07:19,188 This launch will mark the first time a human spaceflight mission 35 00:07:19,188 --> 00:07:23,476 will liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40, and our NASA and SpaceX 36 00:07:23,693 --> 00:07:27,680 teams have been working hand in hand with our Space Force mission partners. 37 00:07:27,830 --> 00:07:30,817 And together, we are looking forward to a successful launch. 38 00:07:31,217 --> 00:07:34,220 We're excited to welcome back to the Kennedy Space Center 39 00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:37,390 astronaut Nick Hague, who will serve as commander for this mission, 40 00:07:37,757 --> 00:07:42,829 and Roscosmos cosmonaut and mission specialist Alexander Gorman. Off. 41 00:07:43,463 --> 00:07:46,899 Greeting these astronauts on the runway always gets me excited. 42 00:07:47,150 --> 00:07:50,119 And it makes it means we're in the final days 43 00:07:50,119 --> 00:07:53,990 before a human spaceflight launch, and that's always something very special. 44 00:07:54,590 --> 00:07:58,761 But before we hear from the crew, I'd like to introduce someone whose leadership 45 00:07:58,778 --> 00:08:02,331 has been instrumental to the success of the Commercial Crew program. 46 00:08:02,565 --> 00:08:07,069 As we launch humans to the International Space Station from American soil, 47 00:08:07,820 --> 00:08:11,140 serving as a commercial crew, deputy program manager here at the Kennedy 48 00:08:11,140 --> 00:08:15,161 Space Center, please join me in welcoming Dana Hutchinson. 49 00:08:15,495 --> 00:08:15,862 Dana. 50 00:08:21,801 --> 00:08:23,619 Good afternoon, everyone. 51 00:08:23,619 --> 00:08:24,670 Thank you for being here. 52 00:08:24,670 --> 00:08:28,758 And thank you for your interest in this mission and in our program. 53 00:08:29,509 --> 00:08:31,761 I'm Dana Hutcherson, deputy program manager 54 00:08:31,761 --> 00:08:34,747 for Commercial crew program here at Kennedy Space Center. 55 00:08:35,498 --> 00:08:39,702 I'm very excited to be here today welcoming Nick Hague and Alexander Corbin 56 00:08:39,702 --> 00:08:42,705 off as they prepare for launch on NASA's crew 57 00:08:42,705 --> 00:08:45,708 nine mission on SpaceX's rocket. 58 00:08:46,359 --> 00:08:49,762 As Kelvin mentioned, this will be the first human spaceflight 59 00:08:49,762 --> 00:08:54,233 off of slick four day Space Launch Complex 40 over on the Cape side. 60 00:08:54,917 --> 00:08:58,821 I'm extremely proud of this joint Commercial Crew program 61 00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:03,910 and SpaceX team for all the hard work it took to get the pad certified in time. 62 00:09:04,610 --> 00:09:07,813 This is a huge increase in capability for us with two pads 63 00:09:07,813 --> 00:09:09,832 now rated for human spaceflight. 64 00:09:09,832 --> 00:09:12,818 We now have operational flexibility with space 65 00:09:12,919 --> 00:09:16,639 to do conflict launches at both 39 A and slick 40. 66 00:09:18,674 --> 00:09:18,975 Hague 67 00:09:18,975 --> 00:09:21,978 and Gorman off will launch to the space station 68 00:09:21,978 --> 00:09:25,248 aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, named freedom. 69 00:09:25,848 --> 00:09:29,468 This, Dragon previously flew on crew four 70 00:09:29,468 --> 00:09:33,339 and axioms axioms two and three mission. 71 00:09:33,339 --> 00:09:36,075 So this will be the fourth flight for this Dragon. 72 00:09:36,075 --> 00:09:39,278 The crew will spend about five months aboard the station, performing 73 00:09:39,579 --> 00:09:42,848 more than 200 critical science and research investigations 74 00:09:42,848 --> 00:09:45,851 that will help us explore beyond low Earth orbit. 75 00:09:46,218 --> 00:09:49,221 Very exciting as we get in the final preparations 76 00:09:49,238 --> 00:09:52,458 for this, for this launch, and to be here today 77 00:09:52,959 --> 00:09:55,845 as our teams are preparing their final preparations for a launch. 78 00:09:55,845 --> 00:09:58,965 We're looking forward to getting these two crew members up into space. 79 00:09:59,498 --> 00:10:02,385 And with that, I'm going to hand it over to the crew. 80 00:10:02,385 --> 00:10:05,388 Thank you. 81 00:10:07,690 --> 00:10:07,990 Yeah. 82 00:10:07,990 --> 00:10:11,193 Good afternoon. And, thank you, Kelvin. 83 00:10:11,210 --> 00:10:11,911 Thank you. Dana. 84 00:10:11,911 --> 00:10:15,648 It is exciting to be here, to take that next step 85 00:10:15,648 --> 00:10:19,602 to make final preparations and, and get ready to launch in a few days. 86 00:10:19,885 --> 00:10:22,888 I want to echo Kelvin's, words. 87 00:10:22,905 --> 00:10:26,692 It is been spectacular to be part of such an amazing team, 88 00:10:26,709 --> 00:10:28,361 especially over the last couple of months. 89 00:10:28,361 --> 00:10:31,897 They've been fairly dynamic, and the team has allowed us, 90 00:10:33,282 --> 00:10:36,702 to respond to those changes in the mission and, and prepare us, 91 00:10:36,919 --> 00:10:39,739 the space team, the NASA team, have worked 92 00:10:39,739 --> 00:10:43,159 diligently preparing us to get ready to launch as a two person crew. 93 00:10:43,492 --> 00:10:47,563 Our crewmates, Zena and Stephanie, have been integral to that effort 94 00:10:47,563 --> 00:10:50,566 over the past several weeks, making sure that we're ready to launch together. 95 00:10:51,133 --> 00:10:54,970 Testament to their professionalism and, we're excited. 96 00:10:55,221 --> 00:10:57,323 We're ready. 97 00:10:57,323 --> 00:11:00,693 Alex I'll turn it over to Alex for a few words. So. 98 00:11:14,740 --> 00:11:17,176 Good day, Everybody 99 00:11:17,176 --> 00:11:21,097 I am really excited to be here at Kennedy Space Center. 100 00:11:21,097 --> 00:11:22,398 It's a historic place. 101 00:11:22,398 --> 00:11:25,985 And it means that the launch is getting nearer and nearer. 102 00:11:38,631 --> 00:11:39,648 And of course, I can't 103 00:11:39,648 --> 00:11:43,402 wait for the launch, to fly on the Dragon vehicle 104 00:11:43,669 --> 00:11:46,639 and to become, part of the ISS crew 105 00:11:46,639 --> 00:11:49,642 within the expedition 72. 106 00:12:07,843 --> 00:12:10,279 As we, talking in front of you right now, 107 00:12:10,279 --> 00:12:13,449 there are hundreds of people from the NASA and SpaceX, 108 00:12:14,083 --> 00:12:18,704 working on preparing the launch pad, preparing the rocket for our launch. 109 00:12:18,704 --> 00:12:22,158 So I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of them, 110 00:12:42,578 --> 00:12:47,266 And of course, I would like to also express my thanks to the training teams 111 00:12:47,566 --> 00:12:50,536 at NASA and SpaceX and at, 112 00:12:50,536 --> 00:12:53,773 GCTC, who spent hundreds of hours 113 00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:56,809 training us and making sure that we succeed in our mission. 114 00:12:56,809 --> 00:13:00,346 And I have no doubt that we will thank you so much. 115 00:13:05,568 --> 00:13:05,951 All right. 116 00:13:05,951 --> 00:13:07,720 Thank you so much, crew. 117 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:11,207 We're now going to jump into our media Q&A portion. 118 00:13:11,207 --> 00:13:14,810 We have a microphone up at the front, so please line up. 119 00:13:14,810 --> 00:13:15,795 If you'd like to ask the crew 120 00:13:15,795 --> 00:13:19,365 a question, we ask that you limit yourself to one question each. 121 00:13:19,732 --> 00:13:22,718 So when you get up to the microphone, please state your name, 122 00:13:22,718 --> 00:13:26,055 your media affiliation and who your question is directed to. 123 00:13:27,173 --> 00:13:30,109 Marsha Knapp for you, Nick, as commander, it's 124 00:13:30,109 --> 00:13:34,964 not often a mission changes as drastically and suddenly as yours has described. 125 00:13:34,964 --> 00:13:40,119 What it's like has been like on a personal level for you these past few weeks. 126 00:13:40,452 --> 00:13:44,089 And you do you feel more urgency and responsibility 127 00:13:44,089 --> 00:13:47,092 now that your number one job is to bring Butch and Sunny home safely? 128 00:13:49,178 --> 00:13:52,548 You know, there have been a lot of changes to our particular, 129 00:13:52,681 --> 00:13:56,085 spacecraft, you know, crew. 130 00:13:56,402 --> 00:13:59,438 But the mission really hasn't changed. 131 00:13:59,438 --> 00:14:02,141 The mission hasn't changed for two and a half decades. 132 00:14:02,141 --> 00:14:05,177 It's to get up to the station and do do research. 133 00:14:05,528 --> 00:14:08,147 And, that mission is bigger than any one crew. 134 00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:11,317 So we respond to the dynamic nature of 135 00:14:11,567 --> 00:14:15,371 of what we need to do, and we're asked to step up to that. 136 00:14:15,371 --> 00:14:21,527 So it's it's been a treat to be part of the team and see how they've responded. 137 00:14:21,527 --> 00:14:25,331 And come together and help us adapt how we operate inside the vehicle 138 00:14:25,331 --> 00:14:26,565 to be able to do this. 139 00:14:26,565 --> 00:14:29,752 And so I'm just really thankful to be part of all of that. 140 00:14:33,289 --> 00:14:34,607 Thank you for doing this. 141 00:14:34,607 --> 00:14:36,458 I'm Ken Kramer from SpaceX up close. 142 00:14:36,458 --> 00:14:38,594 So my question is for both of you. I'm a scientist. 143 00:14:38,594 --> 00:14:41,680 I'd like to hear about some of the science experiments 144 00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:44,500 you find that are the most interesting that you're going to be doing. 145 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:46,485 And anything with the human body. 146 00:14:46,485 --> 00:14:49,538 Also, will you be doing any Eva spacewalks? 147 00:14:49,538 --> 00:14:53,742 And for Alexander, will you be operating the, European robotic arm? 148 00:14:54,376 --> 00:14:55,578 So let's hear for both of you. 149 00:14:55,578 --> 00:14:58,581 Thank you. 150 00:15:09,491 --> 00:15:10,209 Yes, indeed. 151 00:15:10,209 --> 00:15:14,480 We have a lot of science, projects and programs planned for our mission, 152 00:15:25,124 --> 00:15:29,511 and one of the very interesting experiments that I'm particularly, 153 00:15:29,511 --> 00:15:34,700 excited about is melting different crystals in a special oven. 154 00:15:45,260 --> 00:15:49,481 And we are going to be as part of like as part of this experiment, 155 00:15:49,481 --> 00:15:54,787 you get various crystal structures that is impossible to get on Earth. 156 00:15:54,787 --> 00:15:59,091 So we'll get them back and, we'll be able to study them. 157 00:16:14,323 --> 00:16:15,140 Yes, indeed. 158 00:16:15,140 --> 00:16:19,995 As far as the European robotic arm area is concerned that I will be supporting 159 00:16:19,995 --> 00:16:25,668 because they, there is an Eva scheduled for December, so I'll be part of that. 160 00:16:27,002 --> 00:16:30,005 Thank you. 161 00:16:30,189 --> 00:16:30,406 Yeah. 162 00:16:30,406 --> 00:16:33,158 Getting to be part of the science is is where the funds at. 163 00:16:33,158 --> 00:16:37,212 And and in a very personal way, we get to participate 164 00:16:37,212 --> 00:16:39,832 in many of those experiments as a test subject. 165 00:16:39,832 --> 00:16:40,366 And so 166 00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:44,236 a lot of those are looking at health, how the body is regulating its temperature, 167 00:16:44,453 --> 00:16:49,058 how how being in microgravity affects my blood flow or how my DNA works. 168 00:16:49,058 --> 00:16:51,660 And so all of those are going to be fun to be part of. 169 00:16:51,660 --> 00:16:53,712 You asked about spacewalks. 170 00:16:53,712 --> 00:16:56,565 You know, we're planning on doing some spacewalks. 171 00:16:56,565 --> 00:16:58,634 The content of that is still coming together. 172 00:16:58,634 --> 00:17:00,619 Obviously, we were hoping to do some spacewalks 173 00:17:00,619 --> 00:17:03,272 this summer and that didn't didn't work out. 174 00:17:03,272 --> 00:17:07,042 Sometimes the science and spacewalks overlap a little bit. 175 00:17:07,042 --> 00:17:10,996 And one of the things I have had training in the NBL to, to be ready 176 00:17:10,996 --> 00:17:15,818 to do is to go and help fix the nicer experiment, our X-ray observatory. 177 00:17:15,818 --> 00:17:19,038 And so that could potentially be part of some of the spacewalk content. 178 00:17:20,172 --> 00:17:20,773 Thank you. 179 00:17:20,773 --> 00:17:23,776 Welcome. 180 00:17:23,776 --> 00:17:24,226 Hi folks. 181 00:17:24,226 --> 00:17:25,961 This is Charles Boyer from Florida media. 182 00:17:25,961 --> 00:17:29,898 Now, question for you mainly, Nick, how will you integrate 183 00:17:29,932 --> 00:17:32,918 your crew, nine members, once you get on station? 184 00:17:32,918 --> 00:17:36,789 And will you be the one training them on safe Dragon operation? 185 00:17:37,423 --> 00:17:39,758 Thank you. 186 00:17:39,758 --> 00:17:40,042 Yeah. 187 00:17:40,042 --> 00:17:42,428 We're going to launch as a two person crew, 188 00:17:42,428 --> 00:17:44,596 and then we're going to land as a four person crew. 189 00:17:44,596 --> 00:17:47,983 And one of the unique challenges of that is how do we integrate 190 00:17:47,983 --> 00:17:51,070 the other two crew members into the Dragon operations, 191 00:17:51,070 --> 00:17:54,073 when they've had very minimal dragon training before they launched? 192 00:17:55,124 --> 00:17:59,027 The teams on the ground have helped not only get us ready, 193 00:17:59,027 --> 00:18:02,865 but they've already started helping Butch and Sonny, trying to understand 194 00:18:02,865 --> 00:18:06,251 what they're going to need to do inside of inside of the Dragon, 195 00:18:06,251 --> 00:18:08,587 but that's going to be top priority when we get there. 196 00:18:08,587 --> 00:18:13,008 And while we have a period of handover, the first week or so, is 197 00:18:13,008 --> 00:18:16,779 is having that dedicated time to help them understand 198 00:18:16,962 --> 00:18:20,499 what they're going to need to do to operate as as part of the crew. 199 00:18:20,499 --> 00:18:21,100 Nine crew. 200 00:18:24,803 --> 00:18:26,772 I will Robert Smith with Spaceflight Now. 201 00:18:26,772 --> 00:18:28,791 Good to see you both again. 202 00:18:28,791 --> 00:18:32,261 Looking at the mission patch behind you on the display, notice 203 00:18:32,261 --> 00:18:33,679 no one's name is on there. 204 00:18:33,679 --> 00:18:37,065 And so I wanted to sort of building off of some of the previous questions 205 00:18:37,065 --> 00:18:40,936 ask about crew cohesion and sort of how you build that, 206 00:18:40,936 --> 00:18:42,437 where normally you'd have, 207 00:18:42,437 --> 00:18:44,590 you know, months if not longer on the ground 208 00:18:44,590 --> 00:18:46,058 and in a various type of environment 209 00:18:46,058 --> 00:18:48,961 to get to know one another and sort of build that, 210 00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:51,947 bonding experience, sort of if that's sort of symbolic 211 00:18:51,947 --> 00:18:54,550 of this being sort of a fresh slate, perhaps are just 212 00:18:54,550 --> 00:18:57,619 your thoughts on on that and building cohesion with people that, 213 00:18:57,953 --> 00:19:00,556 you know, if you've not been in proximity with leading up to this? Thank you. 214 00:19:02,407 --> 00:19:02,858 Yeah. 215 00:19:02,858 --> 00:19:06,311 The lack of names on the patch, I think 216 00:19:06,678 --> 00:19:09,681 is emblematic of, like I said before, 217 00:19:10,482 --> 00:19:13,569 this mission is bigger than any one crew. 218 00:19:13,569 --> 00:19:15,370 It's bigger than any one person. 219 00:19:15,370 --> 00:19:17,506 And so, 220 00:19:17,506 --> 00:19:19,842 we've got a dynamic challenge ahead of us. 221 00:19:19,842 --> 00:19:24,229 And and it in the response to how do we adjust 222 00:19:24,229 --> 00:19:27,382 and how do we adapt to do the mission that we've got to do? 223 00:19:28,517 --> 00:19:32,738 I've never felt closer to my my crew mates. 224 00:19:32,738 --> 00:19:35,090 I've, you know, that bond that you've built, 225 00:19:35,090 --> 00:19:38,227 you know, that we built for the better part of a year and a half with Xena. 226 00:19:38,227 --> 00:19:39,828 And Stephanie was as strong as ever 227 00:19:39,828 --> 00:19:42,831 as they're working side by side with us, helping, getting us ready. 228 00:19:42,931 --> 00:19:48,587 And then, you know, we don't just train together when we're assigned. 229 00:19:48,587 --> 00:19:50,889 We train together before that. 230 00:19:50,889 --> 00:19:53,859 And so I've had opportunities to work with Butch and Sonny. 231 00:19:53,859 --> 00:19:57,646 I've, I've had opportunities to to train as part of NOLs 232 00:19:57,646 --> 00:20:00,315 and share a tent with Sonny for ten days in the wilderness. 233 00:20:00,315 --> 00:20:04,219 And so, so we know each other and and we're professionals 234 00:20:04,219 --> 00:20:06,922 and we step up and do what's asked of us. 235 00:20:06,922 --> 00:20:09,908 So, I'm looking forward to working with them. 236 00:20:10,125 --> 00:20:13,362 And I think we're going to pull together without a problem. 237 00:20:17,799 --> 00:20:18,467 Hi, I'm Doctor 238 00:20:18,467 --> 00:20:21,470 Walk from Embry-Riddle, reporting for Earth. Sky. 239 00:20:21,470 --> 00:20:24,640 I just am curious of how a higher education has played 240 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,643 a part in your journey to get here. 241 00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:53,602 Well, indeed, education has played a great role in bringing me 242 00:20:53,602 --> 00:20:57,589 where I am right now because I graduated from the Moscow 243 00:20:57,589 --> 00:21:01,927 Aviation Institute and I was specializing in rocket 244 00:21:01,927 --> 00:21:05,597 engineering, spacecraft 245 00:21:05,597 --> 00:21:08,600 engineering, specializing in booster rockets. 246 00:21:17,793 --> 00:21:21,113 And actually, after I graduated, 247 00:21:21,113 --> 00:21:25,100 I worked for quite some time at 248 00:21:25,367 --> 00:21:29,471 That's a, corporation that basically builds booster rockets. 249 00:21:50,258 --> 00:21:54,713 And I was all the time around engineers and on my colleagues. 250 00:21:54,713 --> 00:21:58,850 And I was thinking, hey, SpaceX doesn't seem so far anymore. 251 00:21:58,850 --> 00:21:59,985 It's reachable. 252 00:21:59,985 --> 00:22:03,405 And then there were cosmonauts around me and I'm like, why don't I try? 253 00:22:06,375 --> 00:22:09,378 And that's where I am now. 254 00:22:14,599 --> 00:22:15,200 Hello guys, 255 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:18,937 my name is Astro with SpaceX Co and my question is, what has training been 256 00:22:18,937 --> 00:22:22,724 like up to the fly with the crew members compared to the four crew members? 257 00:22:22,908 --> 00:22:25,694 And are you guys still in touch with Stephanie and Zena at the moment? 258 00:22:29,264 --> 00:22:32,084 So when you look at how we would traditionally break up the roles 259 00:22:32,084 --> 00:22:35,887 and responsibilities in a four person crew, we're able to balance 260 00:22:35,887 --> 00:22:39,408 that across the mission specialist as well as the pilot and the commander. 261 00:22:39,708 --> 00:22:43,161 And and so the, the adaptation we've had to make is 262 00:22:43,161 --> 00:22:47,716 how do we take those responsibilities and divide that amongst just two of us? 263 00:22:47,716 --> 00:22:51,503 And some of that has is, is how you respond to emergencies. 264 00:22:51,937 --> 00:22:54,556 A lot of that we practice over and over. 265 00:22:54,556 --> 00:22:56,958 How do I respond to a potential fire 266 00:22:56,958 --> 00:23:00,195 or how would I respond to a potential depressurization event? 267 00:23:00,562 --> 00:23:03,682 And in those moments, you want to be able to respond reflexively 268 00:23:03,682 --> 00:23:05,117 without a lot of coordination. 269 00:23:05,117 --> 00:23:08,203 So everybody already understands their role and responsibility 270 00:23:08,203 --> 00:23:09,771 so that you can be safe. 271 00:23:09,771 --> 00:23:13,208 And so we've in the past three weeks, had to adapt 272 00:23:13,492 --> 00:23:16,928 that response and ingrain that response so that we're ready. 273 00:23:17,129 --> 00:23:20,799 If you know something unfortunately like that would happen, 274 00:23:20,799 --> 00:23:22,300 we're going to be able to keep ourselves safe. 275 00:23:22,300 --> 00:23:23,802 That's that's the principal challenge. 276 00:23:30,342 --> 00:23:30,675 Hello. 277 00:23:30,675 --> 00:23:33,645 My name is John Mcconaghy with the Avion at Embry-Riddle. 278 00:23:33,645 --> 00:23:35,480 My question is what remaining challenges, 279 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:37,899 if any, does the team have to work through with SpaceX? 280 00:23:37,899 --> 00:23:41,620 Launch Complex 40 and what will your remaining training look like with that? 281 00:23:47,442 --> 00:23:49,461 So launching from 640 is something new. 282 00:23:49,461 --> 00:23:51,463 It's new and exciting. 283 00:23:51,463 --> 00:23:55,133 And so in the final preparations leading up to launch, 284 00:23:55,367 --> 00:23:59,438 one of the things we're going to have to do is go out and do some familiarization, 285 00:23:59,638 --> 00:24:02,891 with the emergency egress equipment on on slick 40. 286 00:24:03,191 --> 00:24:06,461 Previously in July, we were out and we were able to do that 287 00:24:06,461 --> 00:24:09,698 for pad 39 A the mission changed. 288 00:24:09,698 --> 00:24:12,517 We changed pads. And so now we're working off slick 40. 289 00:24:12,517 --> 00:24:15,587 So that'll spend a couple hours over the next couple days, 290 00:24:15,971 --> 00:24:19,241 going out and making sure that we know how to use the systems that are in place. 291 00:24:23,261 --> 00:24:26,264 Hi, I'm Dominic Popolo from the Avion to Embry-Riddle. 292 00:24:26,331 --> 00:24:27,249 So my question is, 293 00:24:27,249 --> 00:24:27,766 where do you see 294 00:24:27,766 --> 00:24:30,886 the future of human spaceflight going with the International Space Station 295 00:24:30,886 --> 00:24:33,889 and the opening of the new launchpad and other advancements made? 296 00:24:57,679 --> 00:25:02,000 Well, I think this new capability, this new launch pad, 297 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:06,321 gives us more maneuverability, less scheduling conflict. 298 00:25:06,321 --> 00:25:09,307 And it will be able to launch easier 299 00:25:20,535 --> 00:25:22,270 And of course, it's probably going to have 300 00:25:22,270 --> 00:25:25,290 a positive effect on the operations on board the ISS. 301 00:25:25,290 --> 00:25:29,828 So the crew are going to be changing out regularly, with no interruptions. 302 00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:33,949 So, it will have a very positive effect on the ISS. 303 00:25:39,221 --> 00:25:43,058 If I was going to add something in a, in a in a broader sense, 304 00:25:43,058 --> 00:25:45,627 where are we going with all of this change? 305 00:25:45,627 --> 00:25:48,630 It's exciting because it's more inclusive. 306 00:25:48,813 --> 00:25:52,100 We have international this foundation of international cooperation 307 00:25:52,100 --> 00:25:55,837 and collaboration that we've we've been doing on the ES 308 00:25:55,837 --> 00:25:57,622 for the last two and a half decades. 309 00:25:57,622 --> 00:26:01,493 And, and now that's starting to extend into the commercial sector. 310 00:26:01,693 --> 00:26:03,912 And all of this is increasing capability. 311 00:26:03,912 --> 00:26:09,384 And and having been there and having seen the Earth from the cupola, 312 00:26:09,768 --> 00:26:12,787 the more people that can see that vantage point, the better off 313 00:26:12,787 --> 00:26:15,790 we're all going to be. 314 00:26:18,159 --> 00:26:21,112 Hi, I'm Ashton, guitar with Daytona State College. 315 00:26:21,112 --> 00:26:24,733 So given the high degree of change that the architecture for this 316 00:26:24,733 --> 00:26:28,870 mission has seen already, how do you think this is going to teach 317 00:26:28,870 --> 00:26:33,491 NASA and SpaceX moving forward to handle more of a dynamic situation 318 00:26:33,491 --> 00:26:36,861 when it comes to, you know, changing the schedules of the crew, 319 00:26:36,861 --> 00:26:38,229 rotations of different missions? 320 00:26:40,432 --> 00:26:41,800 I think if you look at the 321 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:45,954 history of human spaceflight, the constant is change. 322 00:26:45,971 --> 00:26:48,573 There's there's always something that is changing. 323 00:26:48,573 --> 00:26:49,791 Maybe this time 324 00:26:49,791 --> 00:26:53,361 it's been a little more visible to to the public, the general public. 325 00:26:53,662 --> 00:26:55,130 But there are always changes 326 00:26:55,130 --> 00:26:58,133 that are happening, and we're always responding to the, to the 327 00:26:58,300 --> 00:27:01,403 needs of the mission and the demands of the environment. 328 00:27:01,703 --> 00:27:05,991 And so I think the result of us being ready to launch 329 00:27:05,991 --> 00:27:10,512 is just a testament that the systems, the teams, the people 330 00:27:10,845 --> 00:27:12,697 they know how to respond to change already. 331 00:27:12,697 --> 00:27:15,700 And this is an example of of us doing just that, 332 00:27:17,302 --> 00:27:19,537 getting. 333 00:27:19,537 --> 00:27:20,438 Hi, how are you doing? 334 00:27:20,438 --> 00:27:22,774 Adam Bernstein for Spaceflight Now. 335 00:27:22,774 --> 00:27:24,342 Given that Alexander 336 00:27:24,342 --> 00:27:28,029 is serving as mission specialist and not pilot for the trip to the ISS, 337 00:27:28,530 --> 00:27:31,666 what are his responsibilities during the trip to the space station? 338 00:27:31,666 --> 00:27:33,735 And what is the breakdown of responsibilities 339 00:27:33,735 --> 00:27:36,254 for the four member crew on the return trip? 340 00:27:36,254 --> 00:27:36,971 Probably to Nick. 341 00:27:39,157 --> 00:27:39,441 Yeah. 342 00:27:39,441 --> 00:27:44,379 So so the the the crew complement, essentially, we're flying without a pilot. 343 00:27:44,779 --> 00:27:50,118 And so fundamentally the commander's responsible for keeping the crew safe, 344 00:27:50,602 --> 00:27:53,238 keeping the vehicle safe and making sure we get the mission done. 345 00:27:53,238 --> 00:27:57,042 And so those responsibilities haven't changed how we delegate out all the other 346 00:27:57,042 --> 00:28:02,981 associated things are, are, are kind of up to the commander to decide. 347 00:28:03,331 --> 00:28:07,552 And so Alex is going to be working to support me during all the dynamic 348 00:28:07,552 --> 00:28:11,539 phases of flight and, and provide me with a and the extra set of eyes, 349 00:28:11,539 --> 00:28:13,842 the extra set of hands that that I would need 350 00:28:13,842 --> 00:28:16,428 and that I would leverage if I had a pilot sitting next to me. 351 00:28:16,428 --> 00:28:19,431 So in that way, it's not very different. 352 00:28:23,318 --> 00:28:25,036 Hi, doctor Walker reporting for Earth. Sky. 353 00:28:25,036 --> 00:28:26,504 I just have a follow up question. 354 00:28:26,504 --> 00:28:28,840 What advice would you give current students 355 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:31,359 who are aspiring to be in the position that you are now? 356 00:28:35,213 --> 00:28:40,769 So basic advice is you find your passion. 357 00:28:40,785 --> 00:28:44,506 Find that thing that really excites you and get you energized, 358 00:28:45,023 --> 00:28:47,175 and then pursue that passion. 359 00:28:47,175 --> 00:28:49,260 And that's going to open so many doors. 360 00:28:49,260 --> 00:28:52,247 And and it's, 361 00:28:52,931 --> 00:28:55,550 you know, you're asking a question that following up 362 00:28:55,550 --> 00:28:59,120 from education and what that means that that foundation 363 00:28:59,437 --> 00:29:04,058 of that passion begins in education and learning everything that you can about 364 00:29:04,759 --> 00:29:07,912 what is it that something special that you want to learn all about? 365 00:29:08,797 --> 00:29:10,849 For Alex and I, it happens to be the same thing. 366 00:29:10,849 --> 00:29:13,902 I studied how to build spacecraft and how to build rockets, 367 00:29:13,902 --> 00:29:15,620 and that's what all my degrees are in. 368 00:29:15,620 --> 00:29:18,623 So you can tell what we're passionate about. If. 369 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:23,111 But that's not the only thing that you you know, you don't have to study 370 00:29:23,111 --> 00:29:26,948 that in order to want to fly to space and be able to fly to space. 371 00:29:27,315 --> 00:29:29,467 It takes a dynamic team, a diverse team. 372 00:29:29,467 --> 00:29:31,903 And and we're going through a selection process right now 373 00:29:31,903 --> 00:29:36,107 to select a new class of of astronaut candidates at NASA. 374 00:29:36,458 --> 00:29:40,395 And I can tell you that there is no one path to get there. 375 00:29:40,428 --> 00:29:44,532 We're just looking for exceptional people that that work well in teams. 376 00:29:44,532 --> 00:29:45,967 And people want to be around. 377 00:29:49,304 --> 00:29:49,938 Oh, hi. 378 00:29:49,938 --> 00:29:51,439 Marcia Dunn - AP - again. 379 00:29:51,439 --> 00:29:54,776 What are Butch and Sunny telling you ahead of once? 380 00:29:54,793 --> 00:29:56,594 You've surely been in touch with them? 381 00:29:56,594 --> 00:29:59,831 And are they making any special requests for you to bring things? 382 00:30:02,917 --> 00:30:05,620 So we have been in touch with with Butch and Sunny. 383 00:30:05,620 --> 00:30:10,458 They are excited for us to get there, and they have made special requests. 384 00:30:10,859 --> 00:30:13,962 I'm doing my best to, to to answer those requests, 385 00:30:13,962 --> 00:30:16,965 but we'll see how it goes. 386 00:30:17,282 --> 00:30:18,983 I'll keep you guessing. 387 00:30:18,983 --> 00:30:20,351 Yeah. 388 00:30:20,351 --> 00:30:20,902 All right. 389 00:30:20,902 --> 00:30:23,571 Thank you again so much to the crew. 390 00:30:23,571 --> 00:30:26,107 And thank you again to all the media. 391 00:30:26,107 --> 00:30:28,793 And for those of you who caught this broadcast on NASA. 392 00:30:28,793 --> 00:30:30,645 Plus, I know it's a gorgeous day out 393 00:30:30,645 --> 00:30:34,782 here, and a lot of you are missing some much desired boat time. 394 00:30:34,782 --> 00:30:37,669 So we'll let you go and enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you.