SpaceX’s 27th Resupply Mission Underway; Dragon En Route to Space Station

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lift off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Florida on March 14, 2023, for the company's 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on March 14, 2023, beginning the company’s 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff occurred at 8:30 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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 8:30 p.m. EDT, beginning SpaceX’s 27th resupply services mission to the orbiting laboratory.

Dragon is now safely in orbit. A series of thruster firings will help Dragon reach the space station about 36 hours later. Upon its arrival, it will autonomously dock to the station’s Harmony module, with NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg monitoring operations. Live coverage of Dragon’s arrival will air on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website beginning at 6:15 a.m. Thursday, March 16. Docking is scheduled for approximately 7:52 a.m.

In addition to delivering station supplies, fresh food, and hardware, Dragon also will deliver multiple science and research investigations, including the final two experiments of the National Institutes for Health and International Space Station National Laboratory’s Tissue Chips in Space initiative. Both experiments – the Cardinal Heart 2.0 and Engineered Heart Tissues-2 – use small devices containing living cells that mimic functions of heart tissues and organs to understand the role of microgravity on human health and use this information to improve health on Earth.

Dragon will spend about a month attached to the space station before autonomously undocking and returning to Earth with research and return cargo, splashing down in the 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/.

Dragon Separates from Second Stage

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft separates from the Falcon 9 rocket's second stage during NASA’s SpaceX 27th commercial resupply services mission.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft separates from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage during NASA’s SpaceX 27th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station on March 14, 2023. Dragon will rendezvous with the space station March 16 at approximately 7:52 a.m. EDT. Credit: NASA

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

Dragon is expected to arrive at the space station around 7:52 a.m. EDT Thursday, March 16, docking to the station’s Harmony port – recently vacated by SpaceX’s crewed Dragon, named Endurance, which returned NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 crew members Nicole Mann, Josh Cassada, Koichi Wakata, and Anna Kikina to Earth on March 11.

Falcon 9 First Stage Lands!

The first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lands on the company's drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" shortly after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A for the 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
The first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lands on the company’s drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” shortly after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida for the 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station on March 14, 2023. Liftoff occurred at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

The 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 seventh flight for this Falcon 9, and it is the second Dragon flight to the International Space Station this year – the first occurring just under two weeks ago.

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

The nine Merlin engines in the 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 Dragon on its journey, the first stage will attempt landing 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 five minutes.

Ignition, and Liftoff! Dragon’s Journey Begins

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on March 14, 2023, beginning the company’s 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on March 14, 2023, beginning the company’s 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff occurred at 8:30 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA

Liftoff! At 8:30 p.m. EDT, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket rumbled off the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, starting Dragon’s two-day journey to the International Space Station.

Dragon will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for Expedition 68 and 69 crews 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.

Watch a replay of the launch below.

Counting Down: Ten Minutes Until Liftoff

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, is raised to a vertical position at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A ahead of SpaceX's 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, is raised to a vertical position at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on March 13, 2023, in preparation for the 27th commercial resupply services launch to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the crew aboard the space station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 14, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. Photo credit: SpaceX

Launch preparations are well underway, and the countdown remains on track for SpaceX’s 27th cargo resupply launch for NASA to the International Space Station. Just 10 minutes from now, at 8:30 p.m. EDT, the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine Merlin engines will roar to life, sending the uncrewed Dragon on its way to the orbiting laboratory. The spacecraft will deliver critical supplies and equipment that will support dozens of the science and research investigations that will occur during Expeditions 68 and 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.

This is SpaceX’s second flight to the space station this year – the first, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission, took place just under two weeks ago, sending NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev to the orbiting laboratory for a six-month science mission as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

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

A Few Fun Facts About Tonight’s Launch

 

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 ahead of the company's 27th resupply services mission.
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 on March 14, 2023, ahead of the company’s 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA
  • This is the seventh flight of this SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
  • Tonight’s launch marks SpaceX’s second Dragon launch of 2023 and the company’s 216th mission overall
  • This is the third flight for this uncrewed Dragon spacecraft
  • Teams plan to recover the Falcon 9’s first stage following its return to Earth – if successful, this will be the 178th recovery of an orbital class rocket
  • Tonight’s recovery operations are being managed by an all-female crew stationed on SpaceX’s drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” off the coast of Florida

SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon Spacecraft Standing Tall for Tonight’s Launch

Seen here is a up-close view of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket in the vertical position at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of SpaceX's 27th resupply services launch.
Seen here is an up-close view of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket in the vertical position at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in preparation for the 27th commercial resupply services launch to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the crew aboard the space station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on March 14, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. Photo credit: SpaceX

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. Tonight’s launch is SpaceX’s 27th commercial resupply services mission for NASA, delivering more than 6,000 pounds of supplies, equipment, and research to the crew aboard the International Space Station. NASA is providing live coverage of the launch – watch now on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT, just 30 minutes away, and weather is looking great at 90% “go” for launch. Tonight’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 20 minutes ago, with liquid oxygen flowing into the rocket’s first stage. In the next few minutes, fueling of the second stage will begin.

Here’s a full look at tonight’s countdown and ascent milestones. All times (EDT) 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 prelaunch 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)
00:02:24               1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:28               1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:35               2nd stage engine starts
00:05:44               1st stage entry burn begins
00:07:36               1st stage landing
00:08:38               2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:11:34                Dragon separates from 2nd stage
00:12:22                Dragon nosecone open sequence begins

Launch Day Arrives for NASA’s SpaceX 27th Resupply Services Mission

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft atop stand ready for liftoff at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Florida ahead of the company's 27th resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, is secured in the vertical position at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on March 13, 2023, in preparation for the 27th commercial resupply services launch to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 14, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A. Photo credit: SpaceX

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, stands ready for liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT today, March 14, and meteorologists with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron are now predicting an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff.

Dragon is packed with more than 6,200 pounds of science, equipment, and supplies bound for the International Space Station. Also flying on Dragon is the agency’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) 50 mission, which will deliver two CubeSats to low-Earth orbit to conduct science investigations of their own. Read about them here.

Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, tune in to NASA TV, 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.

Weather 50% Favorable for Tuesday’s Cargo Resupply Launch to Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Cargo Dragon spacecraft, is rolled out from the company’s hangar at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 12, 2022, to the launch pad in preparation for the 25th commercial resupply services launch. The mission delivered new science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the crew aboard the International Space Station. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA and SpaceX are targeting tomorrow, March 14, for launch of the company’s 27th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 50% chance of favorable weather conditions for liftoff, slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The primary weather concern is the thick cloud layer rule.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, propelled by the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the international crew aboard the orbiting laboratory. Included in the delivery are the final two experiments in the National Institutes for Health and International Space Station National Library’s Tissue Chips in Space research initiative, which use small devices that contain human cells in a 3D matrix to test how those cells respond to stresses, drugs, and genetic changes.

Also flying to the station is the High school students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) Ball Clamp Monopod – a student-built project that will provide an easier way for astronauts to keep cameras stable while taking photos and video inside the orbiting laboratory.

For more information on some of the science Dragon will be delivering during this mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/spacex-27-research-highlights