SpaceX CRS-34 Mission Set to Launch Science and Supplies to Space Station
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NASA and SpaceX are preparing to launch the 34th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 12. The Dragon spacecraft will deliver about 6,500 pounds of cargo, including new experiments on bone health, astronaut physiology, and planetary science. Docking is scheduled for May 14, with the spacecraft remaining at the station until mid-June.
Facts First
- Launch is targeted for 7:16 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- The Dragon spacecraft will carry approximately 6,500 pounds of cargo, including experiments on microgravity simulation, osteoporosis treatments, and planetary formation.
- Autonomous docking to the ISS is scheduled for approximately 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the Harmony module's forward port.
- The mission includes equipment to study space's effects on red blood cells and a new instrument to monitor charged particles that can affect satellites.
- Live coverage will be available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, and the public can register for NASA's virtual guest program.
What Happened
NASA and SpaceX have scheduled the launch of the SpaceX CRS-34 mission for 7:16 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 12. The Dragon spacecraft will lift off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It is scheduled to dock autonomously at the ISS at approximately 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 14. The spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the ISS until mid-June before returning to Earth for a splashdown off the coast of California.
Why this Matters to You
The scientific cargo on this mission may lead to tangible benefits on Earth. The wood-based bone scaffold experiment could potentially produce new treatments for fragile bone conditions like osteoporosis. The instrument studying charged particles around Earth may help improve the reliability of satellite communications and power grids, which modern life depends on. Research into how planets form could expand fundamental scientific knowledge.
What's Next
A prelaunch media teleconference is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at 11 a.m. EDT. Launch coverage begins on Tuesday, May 12, on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Arrival coverage begins Thursday, May 14, on the same platforms. After docking, the new experiments will be unloaded and activated, beginning their research periods on the space station.