SpaceX launching manned spaceflight to test human health in space
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Spacex is launching a human spaceflight Monday night to conduct research studies designed to advance human capabilities in space.
Liftoff for the Falcon 9 launch of Fram2 is targeted for 9:46 p.m. from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The crew aboard this multi-day mission will explore Earth from a polar orbit, and fly over the polar regions for the first time. They are tasked with 22 research studies to understand human health in space.
Mission Commander Chun Wang, Vehicle Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, Vehicle Pilot Rabea Rogge, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Eric Philips plan to take the first X-ray in space, perform exercises to maintain muscle and skeletal mass, and grow mushrooms in microgravity.
SpaceX said when the crew lands and exits the Dragon spacecraft, they will do so without medical and operational assistance to test their ability to perform unassisted functional tasks after time in space.
The Dragon spacecraft previously flew Crew-1, Inspiratioon4, and Polaris Dawn. This is the sixth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
WFLA.com will live stream the space launch on Monday night, which can be viewed in the video player above.
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