SpaceX Successfully Launches Supplies To The ISS, Catches Booster
Image via NASA / SpaceX
On Sunday, August 29, SpaceX successfully launched its Cargo Dragon ship to the International Space Station (ISS) for its 23rd resupply mission.
The Dragon, which was launched using the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is carrying scientific experiments and crew supplies to the ISS.
The original launch date had been on August 28, but it was postponed due to poor weather. The spaceship is expected to arrive at the ISS by August 30.
In an update, NASA confirmed the Dragon’s nosecone was open, and the spacecraft had reached orbit.
“Dragon’s nosecone is open, and the spacecraft is safely in orbit following a launch on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 3:14am EDIT from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying more than 4,800 pounds of research, crew supplies, and hardware to the International Space Station,” it said.
As part of this launch, SpaceX also experienced another success with the catching of the first-stage booster on its new droneship. The booster, which is only needed for the first part of a launch, provides fuel for the spacecraft to climb up against gravity, as per Digital Trends.
However, once the rocket has gathered enough height, the booster is no longer needed and falls back down to Earth. The company has now come up with a way to catch these boosters after launch to reuse them, which would make launches more cost-effective and efficient.
SpaceX’s newest droneship, A Shortfall of Gravitas, made its first catch yesterday during the launch. Take a look at how the launch went below.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/IMBdVYhwvf
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 29, 2021
Falcon 9’s first stage booster has landed on A Shortfall of Gravitas – first landing on this droneship! pic.twitter.com/vaiqb30q0P
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 29, 2021
[via Digital Trends, cover image via NASA / SpaceX]
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