Dragon Delivers Science to Space Station

The 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission under contract with NASA launched Friday carrying nearly 6,500 pounds of cargo, scientific equipment and supplies for the International Space Station’s Expedition 74 crew. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 6:05 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock with the station’s forward Harmony module port at about 7 a.m. Sunday, May 17. NASA planned to begin live coverage of the rendezvous and docking at 5:30 a.m. through NASA+, Amazon Prime and the agency’s YouTube channel.

Among the experiments aboard Dragon are a study examining how accurately Earth-based simulators reproduce microgravity, a wood-based bone scaffold intended to support research into treatments for conditions such as osteoporosis, and equipment to study changes in red blood cells and the spleen during spaceflight. The spacecraft is also carrying instruments to monitor charged particles that can affect satellites and power grids, investigate planetary formation and measure sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon.

Dragon is expected to remain at the station until mid-June before returning to Earth with time-sensitive research and cargo. The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down off the coast of California. NASA said the mission supports ongoing research in biology, biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science.