After a two-day journey, the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station today.
The spacecraft delivered more than 4,300 pounds of NASA cargo and science investigations, including a new science facility scheduled to be installed to the outside of the station during a spacewalk this spring.
The Dragon cargo spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on March 7. It is scheduled to remain at the space station until April 9, when the spacecraft will return to Earth with research and cargo.
This delivery, SpaceX’s 20th cargo flight to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, will support dozens of new and existing investigations. NASA’s research and development work aboard the space station contributes to the agency’s deep space exploration plans, including future Moon and Mars missions.
Check out this video detailing some of the scientific investigations Dragon delivered:
Conducting science aboard the orbiting laboratory leads to new technologies, medical treatments and products that improve life on Earth. The research will also help us learn how to keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
The space station has been continuously inhabited by multinational crews since November 2000. Celebrate 20 years of humans working and living in space this year at Space Center Houston! Explore the International Space Station Gallery and discover our new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exhibit this spring.
