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NASA & SpaceX: Crew-4 mission is a ‘go’ for launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA and SpaceX teams have completed their launch readiness review for the upcoming Crew-4 mission.

The Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon Freedom sit on the launchpad ready to transport the four astronaut crew to the International Space Station.

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NASA administrator, Bill Nelson, said this is a busy time for the space agency.

“We are really in a golden era of space exploration. We’ve seen the first private astronaut mission that has successfully returned. Now, a 39-hour turn around and we’re going to launch Crew-4″ Nelson said.

Read: Following successful Axiom splashdown, officials turn to launching Crew-4 mission

If all goes as planned, NASA astronauts Kjell Llindgren, Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins, along with European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, will be well on their way to docking with the ISS.

NASA Associate Administrator Kathy Lueders said with current weather predictions, all that is left is to get ready for launch.

Read: The Crew-4 launch has been delayed. Here’s when to look up now

“This is the time you’ve got to rest and get ready to fly and still be watching the hardware and making sure you’re making the right decision,” Lueders said. “When you have a 10% probability of violation that makes it a pretty easy launch decision for us.”

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Once docked with the ISS, there will be a brief handover between the Crew-4 and Crew-3 astronauts before Crew-3 returns for splashdown off the Florida coast.

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Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.