Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has launched the first NASA-contracted cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US.
Powered by nine Merlin engines, the cargo resupply Dragon spacecraft took off yesterday and will be grappled by the Expedition 33 crew members on 10 October with the help of the station’s CanadArm2.
It is carrying 882lbs of supplies to the orbiting laboratory, which includes materials to support research in plant cell biology, human biotechnology and different materials technology demonstrations, crew supplies and space station hardware.
Astronauts will conduct experiments such as Micro 6 to study the effects of microgravity on yeast Candida albicans, which is found in all humans, and resist tubule in order to evaluate how microgravity impacts the growth of cell walls in a plant called arabidopsis.
Following the scheduled 18-days attached to the station, the spacecraft is expected to splash down into the Pacific Ocean with the assistance of parachute, off the coast of southern California on 28 October, and will carry 1,673lbs of supplies on its return journey, which will comprise 866lbs of scientific research data, 163lbs of crew supplies and 518lbs of vehicle and other hardware.
The launch marks the second mission by a Dragon spacecraft to the orbiting laboratory, following a successful demonstration in May.
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By GlobalDataSpaceX signed a $1.6bn commercial resupply services (CRS) contract with NASA to carry cargo in 12 flights to the space station until 2016, and this is the first flight to fulfil the terms of the contract.
NASA said Dragon’s capability to return cargo from the station was vital for aiding scientific research in the microgravity environment at ISS, which increases scope to understand how humans can work, live and thrive safely in space for longer periods.
Image: SpaceX’s cargo resupply capsule is expected to reach ISS on 10 October. Photo: courtesy of NASA.
