NASA astronaut Don Pettit is preparing for his fourth mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for lift-off on Wednesday, September 11. The launch will take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with live coverage starting at 11:15 a.m. EDT and the rocket scheduled to blast off at 12:23 p.m. EDT.

Pettit, who holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona, first journeyed to the ISS in 2002 as the NASA Science Officer for Expedition 6. His initial mission marked the beginning of an illustrious career in space exploration. He later returned to the orbiting laboratory aboard the space shuttle Endeavour during the STS-126 mission and made his most recent trip to space in 2011.

Update

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner has taken off. 

Here is what you need to know

This time, Pettit will travel aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The trio is set to spend six months aboard the ISS, where they will conduct scientific research and perform maintenance tasks essential for the station's ongoing operations.

Pettit's upcoming mission underscores his significant contributions to space science and his continued commitment to space exploration. The work conducted on the ISS plays a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting future space missions.

Following their six-month stint on the station, Pettit, Ovchinin, and Vagner are expected to return to Earth in the spring of 2025. As Pettit embarks on this new chapter of his space career, his experience and expertise will be instrumental in furthering the goals of the International Space Station program.

NASA’s live coverage of the launch will provide a comprehensive view of the mission as it unfolds, allowing viewers to witness the exciting journey of this seasoned astronaut and his crew.