NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov are in the Astronaut Crew Quarters’ suit up room inside Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building in Florida.

A team of SpaceX suit technicians is assisting as the crew members put on their custom-fitted spacesuits and check for leaks. Designed for safety and functionality, the spacesuits supply pressurization to protect the crew from potential cabin depressurization. A port located on the suit’s thigh connects to life support systems, including air and power. Each suit also includes touchscreen-compatible gloves and a flame-resistant outer layer.

Though this is Watkins’ second flight on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, it will be her first time wearing the company’s updated inflight spacesuit. The latest design, first used by a NASA astronaut on the Crew-11 mission, removes the inseam zipper and adds a spiral zipper on the suit’s torso, allowing the suit to split into upper and lower halves, making it easier to put on and take off. The spacesuits are adjustable in height and can expand by more than 14 inches to fit a range of body types. The updates have helped streamline suit production for crewed missions.

Weather officials with the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron currently predict a 40% chance of favorable conditions at the launch pad for liftoff.

Updates on today’s milestones will be posted on the mission blog, or @NASAKennedy on X, and NASA Kennedy on Facebook.

Source: NASA