NASA Science, Cargo Launch on 31st SpaceX Resupply Mission to Station
November 5, 2024 03:04 ET
Cape Canaveral, Fla. — A SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft carrying more than 5,800 pounds of science and cargo is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, Nov. 19, on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff is targeted for 1:32 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This is SpaceX’s 31st commercial resupply services mission to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract, and the first since a launch abort last month.
The launch will be the first for SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft, which is an updated version of the original Cargo Dragon. The Cargo Dragon 2 has been redesigned with a number of new features, including a trunk section that provides additional cargo capacity, a soft-impact capture system for berthing to the space station, and a reusable heat shield.
The Cargo Dragon 2 will be carrying a variety of payloads to the space station, including experiments from NASA, other government agencies, and academic institutions. Some of the highlights of the cargo include:
- A spacewalk battery that will be used to power tools and equipment during spacewalks
- A new spacesuit that is being tested for future use on the space station
- A variety of research equipment that will be used to conduct experiments on the space station
- Food, supplies, and other consumables for the crew of the space station
The Cargo Dragon 2 is scheduled to arrive at the space station on Thursday, Nov. 21. The spacecraft will be berthed to the station’s Harmony module, where it will remain for about a month. During that time, the crew of the space station will unload the cargo and conduct experiments.
The CRS-2 contract is a multi-billion dollar contract that NASA awarded to SpaceX in 2016. The contract requires SpaceX to deliver cargo to the space station on a regular basis. SpaceX has now completed 30 resupply missions to the space station, and the company has a total of 10 more missions scheduled under the contract.
The CRS-2 contract is a key part of NASA’s plan to keep the International Space Station operational until at least 2030. The space station is a valuable platform for scientific research, and it is also a stepping stone for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA Science, Cargo Launch on 31st SpaceX Resupply Mission to Station
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