According to a report by American technology media The Verge, at 6:01 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, SpaceX’s “Falcon 9” rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and put the “Dragon” spacecraft into orbit. After launch, most of the rocket landed on SpaceX’s landing platform at Cape Canaveral. Currently, the “Dragon” spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on July 27.
SpaceX carried out this launch mission for NASA, delivering approximately 5,000 pounds of supplies to astronauts on the International Space Station. The “Dragon” spacecraft launched this time has flown to space twice before.
The “Dragon” spacecraft carried some interesting items, as well as scientific experiments that the astronauts of the International Space Station will conduct in the coming months. This includes a printer that can make 3D tissue similar to human organs in space, and an experiment using cells extracted from patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
The launch is also equipped with key hardware required by the space station itself, called an “international docking adapter”, which will eventually be installed on a port outside the international space station. This will add a new docking position for future commercial spaceships, which are currently being developed by SpaceX and Boeing.
This docking device is manufactured by Boeing and is actually the third in its class. The first adapter was destroyed in 2015, when the Falcon 9 rocket carrying it to the International Space Station solved the problem after launch. In 2016, the “Falcon 9” rocket launched another docking adapter, which was then installed. After installing the new dock for this launch, SpaceX and Boeing will have two options for docking at the International Space Station in the future, allowing greater flexibility.
Bill Spetch, deputy manager of NASA’s International Space Station, said at the press conference: “We are really looking forward to installing the adapter to the space station. This is an important piece of hardware for the International Space Station in the future. Lays the foundation for our partnership.”
Thursday’s launch was one of the last cargo missions completed under the first supply contract signed between SpaceX and NASA. Under this contract, SpaceX will provide 20 cargo launches for the International Space Station. The launch on Thursday was the 18th of its kind.
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