SpaceX Dragon Concludes Resupply Mission

A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, tasked with NASA’s SpaceX CRS-33 mission, is set to depart the International Space Station (ISS) on February 26, 2026, marking the conclusion of its resupply mission. The spacecraft, loaded with over 5,000 pounds of scientific research, supplies, and hardware, had docked at the ISS’s Harmony module on August 25, 2025.

NASA will broadcast the undocking and departure of the Dragon spacecraft live, starting at 11:45 a.m. EST. The coverage will be available on various platforms including NASA+, Amazon Prime, and NASA’s YouTube channel. The spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously undock at 12:05 p.m. and will perform a series of thruster firings to distance itself from the ISS, with a splashdown expected off the California coast at approximately 11:44 p.m. PST.

This mission has been pivotal for scientific advancements. Among the returning experiments is the Euro Material Ageing study, which investigated how different materials degrade in space, and Thailand’s Liquid Crystals experiment, which could improve technologies in electronics and optics. Another significant contribution comes from the Stellar Stem Cells Mission 2, which explores the impact of microgravity on stem cells, potentially aiding treatments for diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s disease. The mission also tested new technologies such as the SpaceDuino project, which aims to develop low-cost space instruments, and the Moon Microscope, a portable diagnostic tool for blood analysis designed for lunar and Martian expeditions.

The Dragon spacecraft has not only delivered critical supplies and experiments but also introduced a new capability to reboost the ISS, conducting six reboost maneuvers to help maintain the station’s altitude. This functionality is essential for the safe operation and long-term sustainability of the ISS, which has housed humans continuously for over 25 years, supporting extensive scientific research.

For more details on the ISS and its operations, visit NASA’s official website.