SpaceX’s Dragon Cargo Spacecraft Successfully Docks with International Space Station
SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) after a day and a half of orbital chasing. The spacecraft, which launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 21, arrived at the ISS where NASA astronauts Laurel O’Hara and Mike Barratt monitored the docking from inside the ISS Cupola module.
The cargo breakdown of the CRS-30 mission included crew supplies, science investigations, spacewalk equipment, vehicle hardware, and computer resources. This marks SpaceX’s 30th commercial resupply mission to the ISS. Dragon delivered 6,263 pounds of fresh food, research experiments, and station maintenance hardware to the ISS.
Dragon is set to remain docked to the ISS for about five weeks before returning to Earth. The spacecraft, known as SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon, is capable of atmospheric reentry and recovery after a parachuted splashdown in the ocean. This unique capability allows NASA to return experiments and discarded waste from the station.
The successful docking and delivery of cargo by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft highlights the ongoing collaboration between SpaceX and NASA in supporting the ISS and furthering scientific research in space. Stay tuned for more updates as Dragon’s mission to the ISS continues to unfold.
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