SpaceX Dragon launches 6,500 lb cargo to ISS

SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft for NASA on Friday, May 15, carrying about 6,500 pounds of supplies, hardware and research to the International Space Station, according to NASA and SpaceX. The flight, known as CRS-34, lifted off at 6:05 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA lists the mission as the 34th SpaceX commercial resupply services flight to the station. Dragon is scheduled to reach the orbital laboratory after an approximately 36-hour trip and dock on Sunday morning. ### Why was this cargo run notable even by station-resupply standards? NASA said the Dragon spacecraft is carrying more than routine food and spare parts. The agency’s mission overview says the load includes research equipment, crew supplies and vehicle hardware needed for station operations, along with several science investigations headed for microgravity. (nasa.gov) Among the experiments, NASA said ODYSSEY will test how well Earth-based microgravity simulators reproduce space conditions by comparing bacterial behavior in orbit with ground-based studies. The agency said another payload, Green Bone, will study bone-cell growth on a wood-based scaffold, while STORIE will monitor charged particles around Earth that can affect satellites and power grids. (nasa.gov) ### Why did the launch happen on Friday instead of earlier in the week? NASA said teams stood down from a Wednesday, May 13, launch attempt because forecast bad weather created anvil cloud launch-rule violations around Cape Canaveral. Earlier public schedules had targeted launch opportunities on May 12 and May 13 before the Friday window was set. (nasa.gov) Friday’s attempt became the next official target after NASA updated its mission coverage advisory and station blog. SpaceX’s mission page also listed May 15 at 6:05 p.m. ET as the launch target from Cape Canaveral. ### What exactly happens between launch and arrival at the station? SpaceX said Dragon separates from Falcon 9 after reaching orbit, then performs a sequence of orbit-raising burns to close the distance to the station. (nasa.gov) The company said the spacecraft later establishes communications with the ISS, begins proximity operations and carries out an autonomous docking sequence. NASA said the spacecraft is headed for the forward port of the station’s Harmony module. (nasa.gov) The agency’s current mission pages list docking for about 7 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 17, after roughly 36 hours in flight. ### Which Dragon and Falcon 9 hardware flew this mission? SpaceX said the Dragon capsule assigned to CRS-34 is making its sixth flight. (spacex.com) The company said that same spacecraft previously supported CRS-22, CRS-24, CRS-27, CRS-30 and CRS-32. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster is also on its sixth flight, SpaceX said. After stage separation, the company said the booster is scheduled to return to Landing Zone 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (nasa.gov) ### What should readers watch for next? NASA said live coverage of Dragon’s rendezvous and docking will begin at 5:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 17, on NASA+, YouTube and Amazon Prime. The agency’s advisory says docking is scheduled for about 7 a.m. (spacex.com) EDT at the Harmony forward port. NASA also said the spacecraft is expected to remain at the station until mid-June before departing with time-sensitive research and cargo for a splashdown off the California coast. (spacex.com) (nasa.gov 1) (nasa.gov 2)