SpaceX Crew-2: A Mission to the International Space Station
SpaceX prepared to carry four astronauts to the ISS in April 2021. The mission used Crew Dragon Endeavour and a Falcon 9 rocket. In addition, it formed part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Our original report described preparations for a launch on 22 April. However, the schedule changed before liftoff. NASA’s launch report records the mission’s departure on 23 April 2021 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Launch Preparations and Spacecraft Reuse
SpaceX Crew-2 marked the second crew rotation mission for SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. Meanwhile, the team prepared Endeavour for another journey after its earlier crewed flight. The mission also reused a Falcon 9 booster.
Before arrival, the station crew needed to make room for the incoming spacecraft. Consequently, Crew-1’s Dragon Resilience moved to another docking port. These preparations formed part of the wider coordination between the launch team and the station.
The SpaceX Crew-2 Astronauts
The crew represented three space agencies. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur joined JAXA’s Akihiko Hoshide and ESA’s Thomas Pesquet. Together, they brought different mission experiences to the flight.
Commander Shane Kimbrough
Kimbrough commanded SpaceX Crew-2. His earlier experience included a shuttle flight in 2008 and an ISS expedition that began in October 2016. In addition, he had completed six spacewalks before this launch.
Mission Specialist Akihiko Hoshide
Hoshide had previously visited the station in 2008 and 2012. His work included Japan’s Kibo laboratory and experiments aboard the orbital complex. Therefore, he returned with direct experience of the station’s environment.
Pilot Megan McArthur
McArthur served as the SpaceX Crew-2 pilot. She had previously flown on the 2009 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. However, Crew-2 would be her first visit to the ISS.
Mission Specialist Thomas Pesquet
Pesquet returned after an earlier ISS mission in 2016 and 2017. Like his colleagues, he would contribute to the station’s research programme. For example, the original mission coverage described educational demonstrations designed to interest young people in science.
SpaceX Crew-2: Life Aboard the Station and Return
The team prepared for a long-duration stay rather than a brief visit. Meanwhile, the outgoing Crew-1 astronauts planned their journey home aboard Resilience. Station rotations require both teams to coordinate with mission control.
Later, the SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts returned to Earth in November 2021. NASA’s splashdown report records their safe return aboard Endeavour. This later milestone provides context for the plans discussed in our April article.
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