NASA Set to Launch Second Commercial Crew Rotation to the International Space Station Live Shots

In 2020, NASA, in a commercial partnership with SpaceX, launched a new era of space exploration with the first commercial crew rotation to the International Space Station (ISS). On Thursday, the second commercial crew will launch, joining the first crew on the ISS for a five-day handover to close out the first commercial crew’s six-month mission. The Crew-2 mission will also be the first mission to reuse a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket for a crewed mission. The capsule previously flew on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission in May 2020, and the booster is being reused from the Crew-1 launch in November 2020. Reusable spacecraft will be a center point in the future of spaceflight as NASA looks toward returning humans to the Moon.



NASA astronauts and experts including - Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk - are available for virtual one-on-one interviews on Wednesday, April 21, from 6:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT - just one day before Crew-2 launches - to share the excitement of this launch, and what it means for the future of space exploration. This is an exciting time for space travel as NASA and commercial partners use regular, cost-effective crewed flights to the space station from U.S. soil.



There is limited space available, but we do have some flexibility in the 6am EDT hour.



To Schedule an interview: Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/LR3vWx1oC7eKeyzn9


Please note: requests received after 3:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 20 may not be accommodated. Interview requests sent via email will not get priority.



Interviews will be conducted using video chat programs including Zoom and Skype, in 15-minute slots. For example 600-615 ET, 615-630 EDT, etc. Our preferred program is Zoom. Satellite interviews are not available. Please do not use an IFB unless necessary.



Crew-2 will consist of all-veteran astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur of NASA, Akihiko Hoshide of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Thomas Pesquet of ESA. Crew-2 is scheduled to return to Earth in the fall.



Participating Talent in live shots on April 21:

Steve Jurczyk / Acting NASA Administrator

Loral O'Hara / NASA Astronaut

Jasmin Moghbeli / NASA Astronaut

Raja Chari / NASA Astronaut

Mike Fincke / NASA Astronaut

Jessica Meir / NASA Astronaut

Daniel Forrestel / Launch Rescue Director



Suggested Questions:

1. SpaceX and Boeing commercial crew spacecraft both have four seats for NASA missions, one more than a Russian Soyuz. What does NASA gain by having an additional seat and expanding the space station crew to seven?

2. The International Space Station is a laboratory with a very unique quality - microgravity. What kind of research do these crews conduct in our lab in space?

3. This mission is the first with two international partner astronauts. Why is that important?

4. How is living and conducting research on the International Space Station paving the way for future Artemis missions?

5. With Earth Day coming up can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like to view the Earth and Earth systems like hurricanes from above?

6. What are some ways research aboard the space station is helping us here on Earth?

7. Where can our viewers go to keep up with the commercial crew and International Space Station programs?



Suggested Anchor Intro:



THIS WEEK NASA IS LAUNCHING THE SECOND COMMERCIAL CREW ROTATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WITH COMMERCIAL PARTNER SPACEX. THIS CREW OF FOUR ASTRONAUTS WILL JOIN THE EXPEDITION 65 CREW FOR A SIX-MONTH SCIENCE MISSION. THEY WILL TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STATION’S POPULATION TO ELEVEN FOR FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE FOUR ASTRONAUTS FROM THE FIRST COMMERCIAL CREW CONCLUDE THEIR SIX MONTH MISSION AND RETURN TO EARTH.