crs-6

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has taken-off with Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US, as part of the sixth commercial resupply services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Around three minutes after the launch, the second stage and Dragon separated from the Falcon 9’s first stage.

The spacecraft separated from Falcon 9 and then deployed its solar arrays. It will reach the ISS following a two-and-a-half day journey. Dragon is expected to be grappled by the station’s robotic arm on 17 April.

Part of Nasa’s commercial resupply services contract, the mission will deliver around 4,300lb cargo for around 40 experiments, which are part of more than 250 science and research projects to be carried out during Expeditions 43 and 44.

Astronauts on the ISS will conduct experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and earth science, which could help understand life on Earth and accelerate future space exploration missions.

The crew will conduct a research to evaluate cell shape and gene expression in microgravity, as well as the microgravity impact on osteocytes, a type of cells in bones.

They will also test the radiation resistance of RasLabs-developed electro-active polymer called Synthetic Muscle.

"The crew will conduct a research to evaluate cell shape and gene expression in microgravity."

The CRS-6 mission will deliver cargo for fluid shifts study, which will investigate the amount of fluid shifts from the lower to upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels to determine its impact on fluid pressure in the head and alterations in vision and eye structures.

The mission will also deliver hardware to install two planned international docking adapters, which will allow commercial crew spacecraft to dock to the space station.

Around five weeks later, Dragon spacecraft will splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, west of Baja California, and will bring over 3,000lb science, hardware, crew supplies and spacewalk tools.

During the flight, SpaceX attempted a precision landing of Falcon 9’s first stage on an autonomous spaceport drone ship called ‘Just Read the Instructions’.

SpaceX said in a statement: "The stage made it to the drone ship and landed, but excess lateral velocity caused it to tip over."

The company intends to make a landing and recovery attempt during the CRS-7 mission, which is planned for lift-off in June.

Image: The CRS-6 mission will deliver around 4,300lb cargo for approximately 40 of some planned 250 science and research projects. Photo: courtesy of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.