Tag: Launch Complex 39A

SpaceX’s 28th Resupply Mission for NASA Underway; Dragon En Route to Space Station

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon capsule lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023, on the company’s 28th Commercial Resupply Services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 12:47 a.m. EDT. Dragon will deliver approximately 7,000 pounds of crew supplies, equipment, and science experiments to the orbiting laboratory. The spacecraft is expected to spend about a month attached to the orbiting outpost before it returns to Earth with research and return cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon capsule lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023, on the company’s 28th Commercial Resupply Services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 11:47 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft – carrying several thousand pounds of critical science, hardware, and crew supplies – is on its way to the International Space Station following a successful launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 11:47 a.m. EDT Monday, June 5, beginning SpaceX’s 28th resupply services mission for NASA to the orbiting laboratory.

Dragon is now safely in orbit and its solar arrays have been deployed. A series of thruster firings will help Dragon reach the space station during the morning of Tuesday, June 6. Upon its arrival, it will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module, with NASA astronauts Woody Hoburg and Frank Rubio monitoring operations. Live coverage of Dragon’s arrival will air on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website beginning at 4:15 a.m. Docking is scheduled for approximately 5:50 a.m.

In addition to delivering station supplies, hardware, and fresh food – including apples, blueberries, grapefruit, oranges, various cheeses, and cherry tomatoes – Dragon will deliver multiple science and research investigations, including the next pair of IROSAs (International Space Station Roll Out Solar Arrays). These solar panels, which roll out using stored kinetic energy, will expand the energy-production capabilities of the space station. This will be the third set launching in the SpaceX Dragon’s trunk, and once installed, will help provide a 20% to 30% increase in power for space station research and operations.

To advance climate monitoring efforts, students from York University in Toronto, Ontario, are providing a camera that will observe snow and ice coverage in northern Canada. Other investigations launching include Genes in Space-10, a student-designed DNA experiment sponsored by ISS National Laboratory, and the next generation of seeds for NASA’s Plant Habitat-03, which studies plant adaptation to the space environment.

Dragon will remain at the space station for about three weeks until it returns to Earth with research and return cargo and splashes down off the coast of Florida. To stay updated on all station activities, follow @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts. Or follow along the station blog at: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/.

SpaceX Dragon Separates from Second Stage

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 spacecraft separates from the second stage during NASA’s SpaceX 28th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station on June 5, 2023. Photo credit: NASA

SpaceX’s uncrewed Dragon spacecraft has separated from the company’s Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, as the spacecraft continues its journey to the International Space Station for NASA in order to deliver critical supplies, equipment, and material to support multiple science and research experiments that will take place aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Arrival to the station is scheduled for approximately 5:50 a.m. EDT Tuesday, June 6. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module.

Watch a replay of spacecraft separation below.

SpaceX Falcon 9 First Stage Lands!

The first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket used for launching the 28th commercial resupply mission for NASA touches down on the company’s drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” on June 5, 2023. Photo credit: NASA

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage sticks the landing, touching down on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean. Today’s launch marked the fifth flight for this Falcon 9, and it is the fourth SpaceX Dragon flight to the International Space Station this year, the most recent being Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) – the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station – which lifted off at 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Coming up next, Dragon will separate from the rocket’s second stage to continue its journey to the space station.

Main Engine Cutoff; First Stage Separates

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft separates from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage during NASA’s SpaceX 28th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station on June 5, 2023. Dragon will rendezvous with the space station June 6 at approximately 5:50 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA

The nine Merlin engines in the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage have finished their burn, and the first stage has separated from the vehicle. As the second stage continues carrying the company’s Dragon on its journey, the first stage will land on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” just off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. That landing is coming up in just over six minutes.

Liftoff! SpaceX Dragon Launches to the International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars upward after its liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023, on the company’s 28th Commercial Resupply Services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 11:47 a.m. EDT.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars upward after its liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023, on the company’s 28th Commercial Resupply Services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 11:47 a.m. EDT.
Photo credit: NASA

Liftoff! At 11:47 a.m. EDT, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket roared off the launch pad at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida, starting the Dragon spacecraft’s approximately 19-hour trip to the International Space Station for NASA.

The SpaceX Dragon will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the Expedition 69 crew currently aboard the orbiting laboratory. Coming up in the next minute, the Falcon 9 will pass through Max Q – the moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket. At about two minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff, the main engine in the rocket’s first stage will shut off, followed by the first and second stages separating.

Counting Down: 10 Minutes Until Liftoff

Ahead of SpaceX's 28th cargo mission for NASA, the company's Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft atop stands on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft is ready for liftoff at Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023. Photo credit: NASA

Launch preparations are well underway, and the countdown remains on track for SpaceX’s 28th cargo resupply launch to the International Space Station for NASA. Just 10 minutes from now, at 11:47 a.m. EDT, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket’s nine Merlin engines will roar to life, sending the company’s Dragon on its way to the orbiting laboratory. The spacecraft will deliver critical supplies and equipment that will support dozens of the more than 200 science and research investigations that will occur during Expedition 69.

Coming up in the next few minutes, the Falcon 9 will begin its prelaunch engine chill, which involves flowing a small amount of the super-cold liquid oxygen (LOX) into the Merlin engines’ turbo pumps to avoid thermally shocking the system when the full flow of LOX runs through them.

Following that, Dragon will transition to internal power and the command flight computer will begin its final prelaunch checks, culminating with the SpaceX launch director verifying we are “go” for launch.

As a reminder, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website continue to provide live coverage of today’s launch.

A Few Fun Facts About Today’s Launch

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft atop is on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 2, 2023.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft atop is on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 2, 2023. Photo credit: NASA
  • Today’s launch marks SpaceX’s 38th launch this year, 4th Dragon flight in 2023, and 237th mission overall
  • This is the fifth flight of this Falcon 9 rocket
  • This is the fourth flight for this Dragon spacecraft
  • Dragon made its debut to the International Space Station in 2012 as the first private spacecraft to visit the station – since then, it’s made 37 trips and transported 280K pounds of cargo back and forth to and from the orbiting laboratory
  • Teams plan to recover the Falcon 9’s first stage following its return to Earth – if successful, this will be the 198th recovery of an orbital-class rocket
  • SpaceX has reflown the first stage of their rockets 170 times between the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles
  • At the time of launch, the International Space Station will be 260 miles over the north Atlantic, south of St. John’s, Newfoundland

Live Launch Coverage Begins From Florida’s Space Coast

Ahead of the SpaceX's 28th cargo mission for NASA, the company's Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft atop stands on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023.
Ahead of SpaceX’s 28th cargo mission for NASA, the company’s Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft atop stands on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 5, 2023. Photo credit: NASA

Hello from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, stands ready for liftoff at historic Launch Complex 39A. Today’s launch is the 28th commercial resupply services mission by SpaceX for NASA, delivering more than 7,000 pounds of supplies, equipment, and research to the International Space Station and its crew. NASA’s live coverage of today’s launch airs now on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

Liftoff is scheduled for 11:47 a.m., just over 30 minutes away, and weather is looking great, now at 80% “go” for launch. As with all commercial resupply services missions for NASA, today’s launch is a coordinated effort, with launch controllers here in Florida working closely with teams at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and SpaceX’s control center in Hawthorne, California.

Fueling of the Falcon 9 began approximately five minutes ago, with liquid oxygen flowing into the rocket’s first stage. Fueling of the second stage will begin in just under 15 minutes.

SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon Spacecraft Ready for Today’s Launch

The iconic countdown clock at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is photographed ahead of SpaceX’s 28th commercial resupply services mission for the agency on June 5, 2023.
The iconic countdown clock at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is photographed during the launch countdown of SpaceX’s 28th commercial resupply services mission for the agency on June 5, 2023. Photo credit: NASA

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, stands ready for liftoff at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The instantaneous launch is scheduled for 11:47 a.m. EDT today, June 5, and meteorologists with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron continue to predict a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff.

Standing vertically on the launch pad, Dragon is packed with more than 7,000 pounds of science, equipment, and supplies bound for the International Space Station.

Beginning at 11:15 a.m., tune in to NASA Television, the NASA app, or the agency’s website for live launch countdown coverage, or follow along right here on the blog as we take you through all of the major milestones leading up to and after liftoff.

Here’s a full look at today’s countdown and ascent milestones. All times are approximate:

COUNTDOWN 
Hr/Min/Sec        Event
– 00:38:00             SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load
– 00:35:00             RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins
– 00:35:00             1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins
– 00:16:00             2nd stage LOX loading begins
– 00:07:00             Falcon 9 begins pre-launch engine chill
– 00:05:00             Dragon transitions to internal power
– 00:01:00             Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
– 00:01:00             Propellant tanks pressurize for flight
– 00:00:45             SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
– 00:00:03             Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
– 00:00:00             Falcon 9 liftoff 

LAUNCH, LANDING, AND DRAGON DEPLOYMENT
Hr/Min/Sec        Event
00:01:12                   Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:31                   1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:34                  1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:41                  2nd stage engine starts
00:06:46                 1st stage entry burn begins
00:08:50                 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:08:51                  1st stage landing
00:12:05                  Dragon separates from 2nd stage
00:12:53                  Dragon nosecone open sequence begins

NASA, SpaceX Prep for 28th Commercial Resupply Services Mission

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is prepared for launch atop the Falcon 9 rocket with the access arm extended on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 2, 2023.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is prepared for launch atop the Falcon 9 rocket with the access arm extended on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 2, 2023. Photo credit: SpaceX

Hello and happy Monday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! After standing down yesterday due to high winds in the recovery area, NASA and SpaceX make another attempt at launching the company’s 28th cargo resupply mission for the agency today, June 5. Weather looks good, and meteorologists with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff, with primary concerns being the cumulus cloud rule, flight through precipitation, and liftoff winds.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft stand ready for liftoff at Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. The instantaneous launch window is at 11:47 a.m. EDT, just over two hours away. Live coverage begins at 11:15 a.m. – watch on NASA Television or the agency’s website, or get live updates here on the blog.

Follow the mission on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and let people know by using the hashtags #Dragon and #CRS28. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:

Twitter: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, @ISS National Lab
Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab

Stay right here for more coverage of today’s launch!