NASA astronaut Don Pettit is preparing for his fourth mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to lift off Wednesday, Sept. 11. The launch will take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with live coverage beginning at 11:15 a.m. EDT and the rocket is scheduled to lift off at 12:23 p.m. EDT.
Pettit, who holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona, first flew to the International Space Station in 2002 as NASA’s science officer for Expedition 6. His initial mission marked the beginning of an illustrious career in space exploration. He later returned to the orbiting laboratory aboard the space shuttle Endeavour during STS-126 and made his most recent trip to space in 2011.
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This time, Pettit will travel aboard Roscosmos’ Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The trio will spend six months aboard the ISS, where they will conduct scientific research and maintenance tasks essential to the continued operation of the station.
Pettit’s upcoming mission highlights his significant contributions to space science and his ongoing commitment to space exploration. The work being done on the ISS plays a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting future space missions.
Following their six-month stay on the station, Pettit, Ovchinin and Vagner are expected to return to Earth in the spring of 2025. As Pettit embarks on this next chapter of his space career, his experience and expertise will be instrumental in advancing the goals of the International Space Station program.
NASA’s live coverage of the launch will provide a comprehensive look at the mission as it unfolds, allowing viewers to witness the exciting journey of this experienced astronaut and his crew.
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