NASA cargo and science launch on 34th SpaceX resupply mission to station
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday evening, with the Dragon spacecraft scheduled to autonomously dock with the International Space Station on Sunday morning.
The 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission under contract with NASA launched on Friday evening, carrying nearly 6,500 pounds of cargo and scientific experiments for the International Space Station’s Expedition 74 crew. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 6:05 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock with the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. NASA will provide live coverage of the rendezvous and docking sequence beginning at 5:30 a.m. on its YouTube channel, NASA+, and Amazon Prime.
In addition to general supplies, the Dragon spacecraft is delivering several new scientific experiments. These include a project to determine how well Earth-based simulators mimic microgravity conditions, and a bone scaffold made from wood that could produce new treatments for fragile bone conditions such as osteoporosis. Other investigations include equipment to evaluate changes in red blood cells and the spleen in space, and an instrument to study charged particles around Earth that can impact power grids and satellites.
Further experiments on board include an investigation into how planets form, and an instrument designed to take highly accurate measurements of sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon. These are part of the hundreds of investigations conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science.
The Dragon spacecraft is expected to remain at the station until mid-June. It will then depart and return to Earth with time-sensitive research and cargo, ahead of splashing down off the coast of California.
For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The space station helps NASA understand and overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, and build on the foundation for long-duration missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and to Mars.
Contact details for NASA media relations are available for Headquarters in Washington, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Johnson Space Center in Houston.
