Indian-Origin Astronaut Raja Chari Will Be Part Of SpaceX Crew-3 Rocket Launch In 2021
This will be Chari's first spaceflight - he became a NASA astronaut in 2017. He was born in Milwaukee but considers Cedar Falls, Iowa, his hometown.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have selected three astronauts to serve as crew members for NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is expected to take place in 2021, reported ANI.
Based on NASA's statements, the trio will include Indian-American US Air Force colonel, Raja Chari. He will serve as the commander. The second person on the list is Tom Marshburn, who will serve as the pilot. ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer will serve as a mission specialist. A fourth member will also be added later, followed by a review by NASA and its international partners.
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.@NASA, @esa select three @SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts:
¡ª Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) December 14, 2020
Commander, Raja Chari, @Astro_Raja
Pilot, Tom Marshburn, @AstroMarshburn
Mission Specialist, Matthias Maurer, @astro_matthias
With a 4th astronaut to be added, the crew is expected to launch Fall 2021...https://t.co/JYInDeXbi5 pic.twitter.com/DzB1WBO010
This will be Chari's first spaceflight - he became a NASA astronaut in 2017. He was born in Milwaukee but considers Cedar Falls, Iowa, his hometown.
He is a colonel in the US Air Force and has extensive experience as a test pilot. His flying career includes more than 2,500 hours of flight time.
He was selected earlier this month as a member of the Artemis Team and is now eligible for assignment to a future lunar mission.
Also read: Raja Chari Selected In NASA Artemis Team Of 18 Astronauts For Moon Missions
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This will be the third crew rotation mission of SpaceX's human space transportation system and its fourth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
The goal of the program is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective crew access to the space station and low-Earth orbit in partnership with American aerospace industry.
Also read: Elon Musk's SpaceX To Follow 'Self-Governing Principles' On Mars, Not Ones From Earth
Excited and honored to be training with @astro_matthias and @AstroMarshburn in prep for a trip to the @Space_Station https://t.co/cHnWTmDAG9
¡ª Raja Chari (@Astro_Raja) December 14, 2020
This will be a critical test bed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight.
