A SpaceX cargo ship is set to launch early Sunday morning, August 24, carrying about 5,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon capsule will take off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking SpaceX’s 33rd mission for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program.
The launch is scheduled for 2:45 a.m. EDT, with coverage starting at 2:25 a.m. EDT. You can catch it live on Space.com or through NASA’s channels. If all goes smoothly, the Dragon will dock with the ISS on Monday, August 25, around 7:30 a.m. EDT.
Notably, this Dragon mission includes a “reboost demonstration.” This is important because the ISS orbits Earth at around 250 miles high and experiences drag from the thin atmosphere, which can slow it down over time. Historically, Russian Progress spacecraft handled these reboosts, but with Russia potentially withdrawing from the ISS program by 2028, NASA has tasked SpaceX and Northrop Grumman to step in.
The Dragon will also deliver vital supplies, including food and equipment for the astronauts. Among the scientific experiments aboard are stem cells for studying bone loss prevention and materials for 3D printing medical implants. NASA hopes these efforts will improve treatments for nerve damage on Earth.
Recent data shows that space missions like this are becoming more common. According to NASA, resupply missions are now launching every few months. This means astronauts aboard the ISS can continuously receive what they need to live and work effectively in space.
The Dragon capsule is expected to stay at the ISS until December. It will then return to Earth with completed experiments and other cargo, splashing down off the California coast. This growing routine of space travel marks an exciting era for both astronauts and scientific research.
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