On June 9, 2023, the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle was captured by the International Space Station (ISS) in an automated docking procedure, less than a day post-launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft had over 7,000 pounds of scientific experiments, station hardware, and crew supplies onboard. The rendezvous occurred 259 miles above Kazakhstan, just north of the Caspian Sea, as seen in a photo released by NASA.
The Expedition 69 team has now loaded the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with 3,600 pounds of cargo, readying it for its Thursday departure from the ISS and subsequent Earth return on Friday. In addition to these preparations, the crew continues with their scientific research and maintenance work on the space station.
In anticipation of the Dragon’s return, the crew members of Expedition 69 also dedicated their Tuesday to space botany, robotics, and human health research. The U.S. cargo craft is being prepared for detachment from the ISS and recovery on Earth by the end of the week.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle is concluding its visit to the space lab and is set to detach at 12:05 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 29. Live coverage of the undocking and departure will commence on NASA TV at 11:45 a.m., available on the agency’s app and website.
NASA Flight Engineers Frank Rubio, Woody Hoburg, and Stephen Bowen, alongside UAE Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi, have been diligently working to load the Dragon with 3,600 pounds of cargo due for Earth return. The Dragon is scheduled to splash down off Florida’s coast at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday for pick-up by NASA and SpaceX teams. It originally arrived at the station on June 6, bearing over 7,000 pounds of new scientific experiments, crew resources, and lab equipment.
In addition to their preparation efforts, the team of astronauts also conducted various research and maintenance tasks. Hoburg tended to the Advanced Plant Habitat for a future space botany experiment, while Alneyadi managed component exchanges on a gravity-simulating research incubator and set up the Astrobee robotic free-flyers for a student challenge.
Rubio, who spent most of Tuesday overseeing Dragon cargo transfers, also allocated time for hardware inspections inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox. Bowen worked on life support component replacements and charged wearable medical monitoring equipment. Bowen and Hoburg also devoted an hour pre-lunch to review Dragon Endeavour crew spacecraft departure procedures.
Meanwhile, Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin collected his saliva and hair samples for a study aimed at understanding how the human immune system adjusts to microgravity. Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev mainly conducted maintenance work on Tuesday. Both cosmonauts worked in the Zvezda service module, where Prokopyev focused on ventilation systems and Fedyaev inspected the power supply and oxygen generator.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SpaceX Dragon Departure
When did the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle dock with the International Space Station?
The SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle docked with the International Space Station on June 9, 2023.
What was the total weight of cargo loaded onto the SpaceX Dragon by the Expedition 69 crew for its return journey?
The Expedition 69 crew loaded 3,600 pounds of cargo onto the SpaceX Dragon for its return to Earth.
When is the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft scheduled to undock from the International Space Station?
The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 12:05 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 29.
What research activities were carried out by the Expedition 69 crew in addition to preparing the SpaceX Dragon for undocking?
The Expedition 69 crew conducted research activities related to space botany, robotics, and human health. They also performed maintenance work on the space station.
Who are the crew members involved in preparing the SpaceX Dragon for its departure?
NASA Flight Engineers Frank Rubio, Woody Hoburg, and Stephen Bowen, alongside UAE Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi, were involved in preparing the SpaceX Dragon for its departure.
When and where is the SpaceX Dragon due to return to Earth?
The SpaceX Dragon is due to splash down off the coast of Florida at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday following its undocking. It will be retrieved by NASA and SpaceX personnel.
More about SpaceX Dragon Departure
- SpaceX Official Website
- NASA’s International Space Station Updates
- NASA TV Live Stream
- Expedition 69 Mission Overview
- Information on SpaceX Dragon
- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
7 comments
so when’s the next mission?? Just can’t get enough of this space stuff. Keep it up, SpaceX!
Watching the docking and undocking on NASA TV is sooo cool. Will be tuning in again this thursday for sure.
Whew, can’t believe they’re loading 3600 lbs of cargo onto the Dragon… That’s some serious lifting in microgravity, hats off to the crew!!
didn’t they just dock like few weeks ago, time flys in space lol.
Frank, Woody, Stephen and Sultan – you guys are the real heroes! Can’t wait for the Dragon’s return.
Love how they’re also doing a ton of research. Botany, robotics, human health… So much going on up there besides just cargo transfers.
is it just me or does anyone else also wish they were up there helping to load the Dragon? space exploration is just fascinating!