NASA delays Dragon launch to May 15

NASA and SpaceX pushed back the launch of the Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station after unfavorable weather forced another scrub on Wednesday, May 13. The next launch attempt is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 15, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, NASA said in a mission update. The flight, known as CRS-34, is carrying about 6,500 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies and station hardware. NASA said the delay also allows time for cargo inside Dragon to be refreshed and supports the timing needed for arrival at the station. ### Which mission was delayed, and what is on board? SpaceX’s 34th commercial resupply services mission for NASA is an uncrewed Dragon flight bound for the station. NASA said the spacecraft is packed with research payloads, crew provisions and laboratory equipment for the Expedition 74 crew. The agency’s prelaunch coverage listed the cargo mass at about 6,500 pounds. (nasa.gov) NASA identified the flight as CRS-34, continuing the cargo runs that SpaceX operates under contract to resupply the orbital outpost. SpaceX’s mission page says the Dragon capsule assigned to this flight is making its sixth trip, after earlier missions including CRS-22, CRS-24, CRS-27, CRS-30 and CRS-32. ### Why did NASA and SpaceX move the launch to Friday? NASA said weather was the reason for the latest delay. (nasa.gov) The agency updated its station blog on May 13 to say NASA and SpaceX were targeting May 15 for launch instead. Spaceflight Now, reporting from the Cape, said poor weather again stopped the Wednesday evening launch attempt. (spacex.com) Aviation Week also reported that unfavorable weather conditions on May 13 delayed the mission for a second time. ### Why does the new date matter for station operations? (nasa.gov) NASA said the next launch opportunity “allows for cargo packed inside Dragon to be refreshed and supports phasing for arrival to the space station.” The agency did not describe that as a technical problem with the rocket or spacecraft. Instead, the update framed the slip as a scheduling move tied to launch conditions and rendezvous timing. (spaceflightnow.com) The station continues normal research and maintenance work while waiting for the cargo vehicle. NASA said before the attempted launch that the Dragon shipment included science experiments alongside routine resupply items and hardware for the orbiting lab. ### Where is the rocket launching from, and who is involved? (nasa.gov) Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida is the launch site for the mission. NASA’s coverage advisory said the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40, while NASA and SpaceX are jointly managing launch and mission operations. (nasa.gov) A NASA station blog post published on May 13 showed the Falcon 9 with Dragon standing at the pad at Cape Canaveral ahead of the launch attempt. The mission is part of NASA’s regular commercial cargo program, with SpaceX providing the rocket and capsule. ### What happens after liftoff if Friday’s attempt goes ahead? (nasa.gov) NASA said Dragon is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at about 7:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 17, if the Friday launch proceeds on time. The agency said live rendezvous and docking coverage would begin at 5:30 a.m. on NASA+, Amazon Prime and NASA’s YouTube channel. (nasa.gov) NASA’s updated launch advisory also said the agency would provide live launch coverage for the Friday attempt. The next major milestone after liftoff is autonomous docking at the station, where the cargo will be unloaded for the Expedition 74 crew. (nasa.gov 1) (nasa.gov 2)