NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts participate in a training session at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. From left to right: NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 mission specialist Jessica Watkins; NASA astronaut and SpaceX Crew-4 pilot Robert "Bob" Hi SpaceX's Crew-4 will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) in April aboard a Dragon capsule named "Freedom." NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren announced the name on Twitter on Wednesday. NASA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DEVELOP SECOND ARTEMIS MOON LANDER"FREEDOM!!
Crew-4 will fly to the International Space Station in a new Dragon capsule named ‘Freedom,'" he wrote. "The name celebrates a fundamental human right, and the industry and innovation that emanate from the unencumbered human spirit."Lindgren continued to say that SpaceX and NASA have "restored a national capability" and that Crew-4 honors the ingenuity and hard work of those involved in the effort. "Alan Shepard flew on Freedom 7 at the dawn of human spaceflight.
We are honored to bring Freedom to a new generation!" he said. The Freedom 7 mission took place in May 1961. Shepard, one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, piloted the first U.S.
human spaceflight.Lindgren, the Crew-4 mission commander, is joined by NASA pilot Bob Hines and mission specialist Jessica Watkins, as well as European Space Agency mission specialist Samantha Cristoforetti.RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF DEFENSE HEAD SERGEI SHOIGU REPORTEDLY MISSING, HASN'T MADE PUBLIC APPEARANCES IN 12 DAYSNASA said the earliest targeted launch date for the mission is April 19, 2022.