{"id":11393,"date":"2022-07-16T22:23:40","date_gmt":"2022-07-16T14:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-cargo-ship-delivers-dust-storm-instrument-to-international-space-station\/"},"modified":"2022-07-16T22:23:40","modified_gmt":"2022-07-16T14:23:40","slug":"spacex-cargo-ship-delivers-dust-storm-instrument-to-international-space-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-cargo-ship-delivers-dust-storm-instrument-to-international-space-station\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX cargo ship delivers dust storm instrument to International Space Station"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SpaceX\u2019s Cargo Dragon spacecraft crosses Earth\u2019s horizon at orbital sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 feet from the International Space Station. Credit: NASA TV \/ Spaceflight Now<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule loaded with more than 5,800 pounds of supplies and experiments docked with the International Space Station Saturday, delivering a NASA instrument to study the mineral content of dust storms and several small CubeSats slated for deployment from the complex.<\/p>\n

The Cargo Dragon spacecraft autonomously linked up with the Harmony module at the space station at 11:21 a.m. EDT (1521 GMT) Saturday.<\/p>\n

The unpiloted supply ship launched Thursday evening from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on top of a Falcon 9 rocket. After launch, the spacecraft completed a series of thruster burns to fine-tune its approach to the space station, culminating in the final automated rendezvous sequence Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

The mission marks SpaceX\u2019s 25th cargo delivery to the space station under two multibillion-dollar Commercial Resupply Services contracts with NASA. This flight, known as CRS-25, is the third arrival at the space station for this particular reusable Cargo Dragon spacecraft.<\/p>\n

The Cargo Dragon approached from behind and below the station, passing about 1,300 feet (400 meters) directly below the complex before swinging into position directly in front of the outpost to line up with the forward docking port of the Harmony module.<\/p>\n

The spacecraft used thermal and laser ranging sensors, coupled with a relative GPS navigation system, to navigate toward the space station.<\/p>\n

After reaching a waypoint about 720 feet (220 meters) in front of the station, the Dragon spacecraft proceeded in for docking with the Harmony module, using its Draco thrusters to control the closure rate and alignment with the docking corridor.<\/p>\n

NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines on the space station monitored the Dragon spacecraft\u2019s rendezvous and docking, ready to send hold or abort commands in the event of a problem.<\/p>\n

Missions controllers at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston and at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, also tracked the rendezvous and docking.<\/p>\n

The Cargo Dragon made contact with the International Docking Adapter with a soft capture ring, which brought in the capsule for a hard mate with a series of hooks to secure the spacecraft to the station. Cargo Dragon also has a set of rotary spring dampeners to lessen the shock of contact with the station.<\/p>\n

Data and power cables were also expected to robotically connect inside the docking mechanism to link the Dragon spacecraft with the space station.<\/p>\n

With the Dragon spacecraft firmly attached to the station, astronauts on the station will open hatches to begin unpacking cargo inside the craft\u2019s pressurized compartment.<\/p>\n

The Dragon spacecraft is loaded with 5,881 pounds (2,668 kilograms) of cargo, including 4,682 pounds (2,124 kilograms) of equipment inside the pressurized cabin. Another 1,199 (544 kilograms) of cargo is stowed inside Dragon\u2019s unpressurized rear cargo bay, or trunk.<\/p>\n