The space station is set to get its science research projects back on track beginning this Tuesday. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission with a Dragon spacecraft filled with almost 6,000 pounds of research equipment and supplies.
Key Takeaways
- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch on Tuesday.
- It will be NASA’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission.
- The rocket will carry 6,000 pounds of research equipment and supplies.
The mission, known as CRS-20, will also be a valuable test of the Commercial Resupply mission hardware and protocols that will be used in the future. A number of experiments and tools designed to better understand the environment in which astronauts and equipment are working in microgravity will be on board, including a directional antenna for the In-Space Characterization Rig, a chemical processing system, and a cleanroom that is set to provide a sterile environment for specimens and other experiments.
What else is on board?
- A robotic arm, called the Multi-Use COLBERT, to help astronauts with various tasks
- Advanced Plant Habitat, a new project aimed to offer greater insight into how plants grow in space
- Vibration isolation platforms, used to minimize shaking and movement during experiments
- An experiment to better understanding how solar storms interact with the Earth’s atmosphere
- A small hydroponic farm, a new “Veggie Technology Demonstration” to help space farmers grow plants in space
The mission is set to demonstrate the capabilities of the Commercial Resupply Services mission for future missions to the International Space Station. This mission will set the stage for more complex missions, requiring more advanced cargo and supplies, in the near future.
International Space Station (ISS) scientists are preparing to resume scheduled operations this Tuesday, 3rd November, 2020, as the Crew Dragon capsule is set to resupply the station’s current crew.
The Crew-1 mission, which consists of the Dragon capsule and four astronauts, is set to launch on November 14 from the Kennedy Space Centre to the ISS. While the capsule is expected to dock to the station around 11 pm EST on November 16, the resupply mission is scheduled to begin on Tuesday as the orbiting outpost’s crew begin to prepare for the arrival of the new astronauts.
Commander Michael López-Alegría and his crew aboard the space station have already started to gather information regarding their upcoming mission while they await the arrival of the Crew Dragon. Commander López-Alegría spoke on behalf of the crew saying; “We are looking forward to opening the doors of the International Space Station and welcoming our friends from the Crew Dragon mission! We are working hard to make sure the station is ready for their arrival.”
The upcoming mission involves the transfer of materials from the ISS to the Crew Dragon capsule, including food, water and other supplies. During the resupply mission, the crew will also conduct experiments using recently launched equipment to the space laboratory.
In the lead up to the launch of the Crew Dragon mission, the ISS astronauts have made a number of scientific strides in space. Earlier this month, the crew conducted a successful experiment with a device called the Materials Science Research Rack, a fundamental plastic research facility.
The science conducted aboard the International Space Station has been an integral part of the astronauts’ exploration of space. Commander López-Alegría stated, “The resupply mission marks an important moment for the ISS and its crew as we take the next steps in our exploration of space – the possibilities are endless!”.
The Crew-1 mission is an exciting part of the many scheduled resupply vessels and the crew aboard the ISS will no doubt be eagerly awaiting its arrival. As Tuesday’s resupply mission draws near, the station’s crew will be busy prepping the station and continuing to carry out research in space as part of their quest for knowledge.