Page 7 - Spec Tech Vol 1 Issue 09
P. 7
SpaceX Dragon cargo ship docks at space
station to deliver solar arrays, seeds and
more
SpaceX's latest Dragon cargo ship arrived at Dragon also delivered a wide variety of
the International Space Station (ISS) early scientific experiments to the ISS on this trip.
Sunday (Nov. 27) to deliver tons of fresh For example, one study bound for the station
supplies, new solar wings nd even some ice will grow dwarf cherry tomatoes from seeds
cream for the orbiting lab. The robotic Dragon in a bid to help ramp up off-Earth food
spacecraft docked with the orbiting lab production. Another investigation will
Sunday (Nov. 27) around 7:39 a.m. EST continue previous microgravity research with
(1230 GMT) as both spacecraft sailed high 3D-cultured heart tissue, testing potential
over the Pacific Ocean. "We're excited to therapies that could prevent or slow the
unpack and get to work," NASA astronaut development of cardiac disease. Dragon's
Josh Cassada radioed Mission Contro from current mission is called CRS-26, because it
the station after the successful docking. is the 26th robotic cargo flight that SpaceX is
"Hopefully you can enjoy your well-deserved flying to the ISS for NASA. CRS-26 had been
and long-awaited ice cream soon," Mission scheduled to lift off on Tuesday (Nov. 22) but
Control's Megan Harvey replied. Nov. 27’s was pushed back by bad weather. Cargo
meetup ended a brief orbital chase for Dragons usually stay docked to the ISS for
Dragon; the SpaceX freighter launched atop about a month, but CRS-26 will remain aloft
a Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday afternoon for 45 days or so, NASA officials have said.
(Nov. 26) from NASA's Kennedy Space The extra time was allotted, in part, to allow
Center in Florida. Dragon is packed with for the spacewalks needed to install the
about 7,700 pounds (3,500 kilograms) of iROSAs. CRS-26 will end with a parachute
cargo. The manifest includes two aided ocean splashdown. Dragon is the only
new International Space Station Roll Out currently operational cargo craft that comes
Solar Arrays (iROSAs), gear designed to back to Earth in one piece following its
augment the orbiting lab's existing solar missions. The other two active freighters —
wings. The ISS will eventually feature six Northrop Grumman's Cygnus vehicle and
iROSAs, which together will boost the Russia's Progress craft — are designed to
station's power supply by 20% to 30%. burn up in Earth's atmosphere when their
Spacewalking astronauts have installed two time in orbit is up.
of the new arrays to date.
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