NASA Astronaut Loral O'Hara Ready for Soyuz Launch to Relieve Delayed Crew in Space

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | Chimniii Desk

NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on a Soyuz spacecraft on Sep 15, 2023. O'Hara will be joined by Russian cosmonaut Denis Matveev and Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide.

The launch was originally scheduled for March 12, but it was delayed due to a technical issue with the Soyuz spacecraft. The delay means that the current crew on the ISS, consisting of NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anton Shkaplerov, will have to stay in space for an additional month.

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O'Hara is a veteran astronaut who has already spent 100 days in space on a previous mission to the ISS. She is a flight engineer and will be responsible for operating the Soyuz spacecraft and conducting science experiments on the ISS.

Matveev is a Russian cosmonaut who is making his first spaceflight. He is a test pilot and engineer who has worked on a variety of space programs.

Hoshide is a Japanese astronaut who is making his third spaceflight. He is a physician and engineer who has conducted a variety of experiments on the ISS.

The Soyuz spacecraft is a three-person spacecraft that is used to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. It is a reliable spacecraft that has been in use for over 50 years.

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The launch of O'Hara, Matveev, and Hoshide will bring the number of astronauts on the ISS to six. The crew will conduct a variety of science experiments and maintenance tasks on the ISS. They will also help to prepare for the arrival of the first commercial crew spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in 2024.

The launch of O'Hara, Matveev, and Hoshide is a significant event in the history of human spaceflight. It shows the continued cooperation between the United States, Russia, and Japan in space exploration.

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Here are some additional details about the launch:

The launch will take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The spacecraft will dock with the ISS about six hours after launch.
O'Hara, Matveev, and Hoshide will spend six months on the ISS.
They will be replaced by a new crew in September 2023.

The delay in the launch has caused some challenges for the current crew on the ISS.

The crew has had to extend their stay in space by a month.
They have had to make some adjustments to their plans for conducting science experiments.
They have also had to deal with the emotional challenges of being away from their families for an extended period of time.

Despite the challenges, the current crew on the ISS is continuing to do important work.

They are conducting science experiments that will help us to better understand the universe.
They are also maintaining the ISS and preparing for the arrival of new crew members.

The launch of O'Hara, Matveev, and Hoshide is a sign of hope for the future of human spaceflight.

It shows that the United States, Russia, and Japan are still committed to working together in space.
It also shows that we are making progress in our journey to explore the universe.