As it prepares for its next mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX is focusing attention on one of the capabilities that have become increasingly important in recent years in the world of orbital research fast, secure transport to the station and subsequent safe return to the planet. In particular, the company is planning to launch its Dragon vehicle atop a Falcon 9 rocket on May 13. The spacecraft will reportedly transport approximately 6,500 pounds of cargo, which include supplies and replacements for the station along with various scientific apparatuses related to space medicine, Earth observation and environmental studies.
The spacecraft will reportedly perform autonomous docking at the forward port of Harmony, thus, repeating SpaceX’s long-time Commercial Resupply Services contract for NASA. The payload carried by the spacecraft reflects the complexity of current station logistics and its importance for a wide range of science projects.
Among the notable payloads delivered to the ISS, one should mention the experiment aimed at verifying how well terrestrial analogs simulate conditions of orbital microgravity. Another project involves the use of a wooden scaffold created for the purpose of studying bone-related diseases like osteoporosis. In addition, Dragon is to deliver several devices focused on the changes that occur with red blood cells and the spleen in space in order to help astronauts prepare for extended missions. It is worth noting that SpaceX reported that the craft will be delivering a device to measure charged particle populations surrounding our planet, thus, emphasizing that cargo flights to the station are increasingly important not only for human spaceflight but also for observations related to satellites and electricity networks.
It is also noteworthy that this mission represents another landmark for SpaceX. Specifically, the upcoming launch of the SpaceX CRS-34 represents the 34th resupply mission performed under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program, while this particular Dragon capsule is set to make its sixth flight. Thus, this mission is likely to set another record as far as reusability goes for the cargo Dragon version. This is important as the station logistics have been developing into a sustainable system capable of ensuring regular supply of goods, replacement of components, and return of equipment from orbit.
That latter point is crucial when it comes to the current situation in the sphere of ISS transportation. Unlike Progress, Cygnus and HTV freighters that have been recently used in cargo deliveries to the station, Dragon is capable of returning its payload back to Earth. This capability is especially important for experiments involving biological samples, replacement parts of the station’s systems, and sensitive scientific apparatuses that have to be returned back for analysis.
For example, previous NASA cargo overviews showed how various pumps, filters, and biological specimens were returned to Earth along with numerous cargo supplies. The launch sequence also reflects the growing efficiency of the program as the first stage of the Falcon 9 is expected to make a controlled landing after liftoff from Cape Canaveral within just eight minutes while Dragon is supposed to reach orbit and move closer to the station.