SpaceX to launch first contracted cargo flight to ISS in October

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is set to launch its first NASA-contracted cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on 7 October from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US.

The cargo resupply spacecraft Dragon, aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, will be filled with 1,000lbs of supplies, which consists of materials to aid 166 investigations planned for the ISS Expedition 33 crew.

Materials sent to the orbiting laboratory will support research in plant cell biology, human biotechnology and different materials technology demonstrations.

Experiments will be carried out to examine the effects of microgravity on yeast Candida albicans, which is found in all humans.

Astronauts will use the CanadArm2 to grapple the Dragon upon its arrival at the station on 10 October and attach it to the Earth-facing port of the station’s harmony module for a few weeks, during which the crew will unload cargo and again fill it with experiment samples for return to Earth.

The spacecraft is scheduled to return home in late October, and will splash down into the Pacific Ocean with the assistance of parachute, off the coast of southern California.

On its return, Dragon will carry 734lbs of scientific materials, including results from human research, biotechnology, materials and educational experiments and about 504lbs of space station hardware.

The upcoming launch will mark the second mission by a Dragon spacecraft to the orbiting laboratory, following a successful demonstration in May.

SpaceX signed a $1.6bn commercial resupply services (CRS) contract with NASA to carry cargo in 12 flights to the space station and the launch on 7 October will be the first flight to fulfil the terms of the contract.

---

Image: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon spacecraft rolled out to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US. Photo: courtesy of SpaceX.