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Author Topic:   SpaceX Dragon CRS-21 flight to space station
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-25-2020 10:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
SpaceX CRS-21 Mission Overview

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the CRS-21 Dragon spacecraft to deliver cargo to and from the International Space Station for NASA.

The first flight under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract with SpaceX, the CRS-21 Dragon marks the first launch of the cargo-configured, second-generation capsule. The Dragon will carry research, logistics and hardware for the Expedition 64/65 crew including:

  • Nanoracks Bishop Airlock, the first commercially-funded space station airlock, carried in the Dragon's external trunk. The Bishop Airlock is an airtight segment used for transfer of payloads between the inside and outside of the station. It provides payload hosting, robotics testing and satellite deployment, while also serving as an outside toolbox for astronauts conducting spacewalks.

  • HemoCue, a commercial off-the-shelf device that will be tested for NASA's Human Research Program as a means of providing autonomous blood analysis for the care of crew members on future missions, including for Artemis flights to the moon.

  • BioAsteroid, an experiment from the University of Edinburgh to better understand how microbes interact with and change asteroids, information that could be used for future mining on asteroids.

  • SUBSA-BRAINS, an experiment from the University of Kentucky and the University of Washington that will look at how liquid metals behave in microgravity as a first step toward developing techniques for the construction of human space habitats, as well as to repair damage from micrometeoroids or space debris.

  • Cardinal Heart, a study from the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute on the effects of microgravity on heart tissue using tissue chips, in an effort to develop therapies on Earth and countermeasures for future space exploration.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously flew on the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission in May 2020, the ANASIS-II launch in July 2020 and SpaceX's 12th Starlink mission in October 2020. Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to recover the Falcon 9's first stage on an autonomous drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The CRS-21 Dragon will return to Earth with research and cargo after spending about four weeks at the space station.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-25-2020 10:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA update:
NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 11:39 a.m. EST [1639 GMT] Saturday, Dec. 5, for the launch of its 21st commercial resupply services (CRS-21) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Arrival to the space station is planned for Sunday, Dec. 6. Dragon will autonomously dock to the station’s Harmony module with Expedition 64 flight engineers Kate Rubins and Victor Glover of NASA monitoring operations.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-03-2020 08:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From SpaceX (via Twitter):
Static fire test complete — targeting December 5 for Falcon 9 launch of Dragon's 21st resupply mission to the space station; team is keeping an eye on weather conditions as the forecast is currently 40% favorable for liftoff.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-05-2020 07:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From SpaceX (via Twitter):
Due to poor weather in the recovery area for today's attempt, now targeting Sunday, December 6 at 11:17 a.m. EST [1617 GMT] for launch of CRS-21.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-06-2020 07:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
SpaceX video
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, December 6 for launch of its twenty-first Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-21), which will launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. L is targeted for 11:17 a.m. EST, or 16:17 UTC. Dragon will separate from Falcon 9’s second stage about eleven minutes after liftoff and autonomously dock to the space station on Monday, December 7.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-06-2020 10:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From SpaceX (via Twitter):
Dragon separation confirmed; the spacecraft is on its way to the space station. Autonomous docking tomorrow [Monday, Dec. 7] at approximately 1:30 p.m. EST.

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-07-2020 12:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dragon docks to space station

A SpaceX cargo-configured Dragon spacecraft has completed an autonomous docking to the International Space Station for the first time.

The CRS-21 Dragon, carrying more than 6,400 pounds (2,900 kg) of research, supplies and hardware for the Expedition 64/65 crew, docked to the space-facing side (zenith) of the station's Harmony module at 1:40 p.m. EST (1840 GMT) on Monday (Dec. 7). NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Victor Glover monitored the Dragon's approach from aboard the station.

The CRS-21 Dragon joined the Crew-1 Dragon already at the space station, with both capsules docked to ports on the Harmony module.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-12-2021 08:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dragon departs space station

SpaceX's CRS-21 Dragon cargo spacecraft, the first of its second generation capsules, undocked from the International Space Station on Tuesday (Jan. 12) at 9:05 a.m. EST (1405 GMT).

The vehicle departed the station loaded with 4,400 pounds (1,995 kilograms) of research results and other equipment for the return to Earth.

On Wednesday (Jan. 13), Dragon will initiate a deorbit burn to begin its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, setting up a splashdown around 8:27 p.m. EST (0127 GMT on Jan. 14) — the first return of a cargo spacecraft off the Florida coast, west of Tampa.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-13-2021 07:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
SpaceX update (via Twitter):
Dragon's trunk has separated, de-orbit burn complete, and nosecone closed.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-13-2021 07:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
SpaceX update (via Twitter):
Splashdown of Dragon confirmed, completing SpaceX's 21st space station resupply mission and the first return of a cargo resupply spacecraft off the coast of Florida.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-13-2021 08:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
SpaceX cargo Dragon splashes down loaded with science experiments

SpaceX's upgraded Dragon cargo spacecraft splashed down on Wednesday (Jan. 13) at 8:26 p.m. EST (0126 GMT on Jan. 14) west of Tampa off the Florida coast, marking the return of the company's 21st contracted cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA. The spacecraft carried more than 4,400 pounds (1,995 kilograms) of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo back to Earth.

The upgraded cargo Dragon capsule used for this mission contains double the powered locker availability of previous capsules, allowing for a significant increase in the research that can be delivered back to scientists. Some scientists will get their research returned quickly, four to nine hours after splashdown.

Some of the scientific investigations Dragon returns to Earth are:

  • Cardinal Heart: Microgravity causes changes in the workload and shape of the human heart, and it is still unknown whether these changes could become permanent if a person lived more than a year in space. Cardinal Heart studies how changes in gravity affect cardiovascular cells at the cellular and tissue level using 3D-engineered heart tissues, a type of tissue chip. Results could provide new understanding of heart problems on Earth, help identify new treatments, and support development of screening measures to predict cardiovascular risk prior to spaceflight.

  • Space Organogenesis: This investigation from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) demonstrates the growth of 3D organ buds from human stem cells to analyze changes in gene expression. Cell cultures on Earth need supportive materials or forces to achieve 3D growth, but in microgravity, cell cultures can expand into three dimensions without those devices. Results from this investigation could demonstrate advantages of using microgravity for cutting-edge developments in regenerative medicine and may contribute to the establishment of technologies needed to create artificial organs.

  • Sextant Navigation: The sextant used in the Sextant Navigation experiment will be returning to Earth. Sextants have a small telescope-like optical sight to take precise angle measurements between pairs of stars from land or sea, enabling navigation without computer assistance. Sailors have navigated via sextants for centuries, and NASA's Gemini missions conducted the first sextant sightings from a spacecraft. This investigation tested specific techniques for using a sextant for emergency navigation on spacecraft such as NASA's Orion, which will carry humans on deep-space missions.

  • Rodent Research-23: This experiment studies the function of arteries, veins, and lymphatic structures in the eye and changes in the retina of mice before and after spaceflight. The aim is to clarify whether these changes impair visual function. At least 40 percent of astronauts experience vision impairment known as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) on long-duration spaceflights, which could adversely affect mission success.

  • Thermal Amine Scrubber: This technology demonstration tested a method to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from air aboard the International Space Station, using actively heated and cooled amine beds. Controlling CO2 levels on the station reduces the likelihood of crew members experiencing symptoms of CO2 buildup, which include fatigue, headache, breathing difficulties, strained eyes, and itchy skin.

  • Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion: Bacteria and other microorganisms have been shown to grow as biofilm communities in microgravity. This experiment identifies the bacterial genes used during biofilm growth, examines whether these biofilms can corrode stainless steel, and evaluates the effectiveness of a silver-based disinfectant. This investigation could provide insight into better ways to control and remove resistant biofilms, contributing to the success of future long-duration spaceflights.

  • Fiber Optic Production, which includes the return of experimental optical fibers created in microgravity using a blend of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum. The return of the fibers, called ZBLAN in reference to the chemical formula, will help verify experimental studies that suggest fibers created in space should exhibit far superior qualities to those produced on Earth.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 46317
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-15-2021 09:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
SpaceX release
Upgraded Dragon Returns To Earth

SpaceX's upgraded Dragon spacecraft completed its first cargo resupply mission to and from the International Space Station, and SpaceX's 21st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-21) mission for NASA to-date, after successfully returning to Earth on Wednesday, January 13 at 8:36 p.m. EST and becoming the first cargo spacecraft to splash down off the coast of Florida. Returning closer to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida enables a quick handover of the scientific research on board the spacecraft to the agency's processing facility and into the hands of researchers.

This was the first flight of the updated cargo version of Dragon, which is capable of carrying about 20 percent more volume than the previous version of Dragon and double the amount of powered locker cargo. It has the capability to allow science payloads to remain inside the spacecraft during the full mission's duration as an extension to the space station lab space, also known as extend-the-lab. Dragon's new design also permits for up to five flights to and from the space station, and this cargo version of the spacecraft can stay on station more than twice as long as the previous version.

After a five-week stay at the International Space Station, Dragon completed the first autonomous undocking of a commercial cargo spacecraft from the International Docking Adapter on Tuesday, January 12 at 9:05 a.m. EST. Dragon then performed three burns of its Draco thrusters to move away from the orbiting laboratory. After approximately 36 hours of phasing, the spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere, deployed its two drogue and four main parachutes for a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico, and returned 4,420 pounds of critical scientific research and other cargo.

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