NASA Johnson Celebrates SpaceX Crew-8 Launch with Employee Viewing Event

by Sumer Loggins | 2024-03-05

Johnson Space Center employees joined together in the Mission Control Center viewing room to witness a significant moment in space exploration history as NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 embarked on their journey to the International Space Station on March 3, 2024, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The event celebrated the culmination of efforts by countless individuals to make human spaceflight possible - including attendees present in the viewing room. The special occasion was not just a celebration of another successful launch but a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and spirit that propels space exploration forward.

A group of people in a viewing room watch two big screens. — NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees join in celebration of the SpaceX Crew-8 launch to the International Space Station in the Mission Control Center viewing room on March 3, 2024. **Image courtesy of Sumer Loggins.**

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, for a six-month science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX monitored a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA teams monitored space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at Johnson.

The launch marks the eighth crew mission aboard the Dragon spacecraft through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and carried three rookie astronauts – Dominick, Epps, and Grebenkin – on their inaugural flight.

Four people in white flight suits wave and smile while walking out of a white building. — NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, right, Michael Barratt, left, Jeanette Epps, back right, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, back left, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-8 mission launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. **Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani**

As the launch clock counted down, Director of Johnson’s External Relations Office Arturo Sanchez III provided opening remarks for the employee viewing event, acknowledging the collective effort required to prepare the crew and the spacecraft for a mission. “We’re grateful you’re here to share this experience and welcome Crew-8 on their journey,” said Sanchez.

Two people look at a monitor screen in front of them while working at a desk. — *NASA* *Flight Director Scott Stover, left, Deputy Director of Flight Operations Kjell Lindgren, and* *Integration Systems Engineer Joshua Nelson* monitor live launch coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission. **Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel**

NASA astronaut and Deputy Director of Flight Operations Kjell Lindgren joined the viewing event to extend best wishes to his friends and colleagues of Crew-8 for their mission. Lindgren emphasized NASA's culture of collaboration and unity and shared personal anecdotes from his time as a flight engineer for Expedition 67 and as the spacecraft commander for Crew-4, providing guests with a glimpse into his own spaceflight experiences.

“Many of you in the room represent us working together to enable safe missions,” said Lindgren. “My favorite thing about working at NASA is the people and the team effort that makes this possible. Thank you for contributing to our incredible team.”

A back view of a person watching a launch on a big screen. — Expedition 70 flight controllers on console at Johnson Space Center watch live as the SpaceX crew dragon lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. **Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel**

The room was full of incredible moments of inspiration marked by laughter, applause, and enthusiastic celebrations. "Endeavor ascends! A beacon of human ambition! Falcon 9 and Crew-8 are now soaring on 1.7 million pounds of thrust," announced Johnson Public Affairs Officer Sandra Jones, who also confirmed the main engine cutoff and successful return of the first stage to Earth as well as second stage cutoff and good orbital insertion as Johnson employees in the Mission Control Center and employees at SpaceX’s mission control center cheered in the background.

After a successful launch, Crew-8 conveyed a special message to those on the ground as they transcended to low Earth orbit. The transition to microgravity, marked by a zero gravity indicator, is a significant milestone for the crew. Astronauts traditionally bring a small token on their spacecraft that begins to float to visually indicate the moment the crew reaches the weightlessness of microgravity. The Crew-8 team’s token was a stuffed animal dog picked by Barratt’s daughter as a tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of children who must spend time apart from their parents who serve their communities, their countries, and the world.

The token also honored the unified commitment and support provided by the families of crew members embarking on a mission for the benefit of all.

View of a rocket launching in the sky at night. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station. **Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani**

The Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-8 will dock autonomously to the forward port of the station’s Harmony module about 2 a.m. Tuesday, March 5.

NASA will provide live coverage of rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening, beginning at 12 a.m., on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. NASA also will continue coverage of the crew welcome ceremony once they are aboard the orbital outpost.