SpaceX Dragon, the cargo craft set to launch towards the International Space Station (ISS), is making final preparations for its upcoming mission. Scheduled to lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, Dragon will dock with the ISS on Monday, bringing crucial supplies and two new solar arrays. During a spacewalk on June 9, NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg will install these arrays. In the meantime, the ISS crew is actively engaged in scientific experiments and station maintenance.
The Dragon cargo craft is currently undergoing its countdown to liftoff, while two NASA astronauts are getting ready for their spacewalk next week. The Expedition 69 crew continues to carry out human research, robotics operations, and laboratory maintenance tasks. The Dragon, mounted atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, has been rolled out to its launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The liftoff is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. EDT on Saturday, aiming to place Dragon into Earth’s orbit. Following liftoff, Dragon will autonomously fly to the ISS and dock with the space-facing port of the Harmony module at 5:36 a.m. on Monday.
Dragon is carrying two new roll-out solar arrays that will be unpacked from its unpressurized trunk and attached to the station’s starboard-side truss structure. Additionally, the cargo craft contains several tons of new experiments, food, supplies, and hardware to replenish the crew members. NASA TV will provide live coverage of the launch starting at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, accessible through the agency’s app and website. The live docking broadcast will commence at 4 a.m. on Monday.
NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg are preparing for their spacewalk on June 9, during which they will install one of the new solar arrays delivered by Dragon onto the starboard truss. The duo has been reviewing spacewalk procedures and making necessary configurations to their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) or spacesuits. Another spacewalk is planned for June 15 to install the second roll-out solar array carried by Dragon.
In addition to the spacewalk preparations, the astronauts also dedicated time to scientific and cargo activities. Bowen worked on servicing blood samples for the Immunity Assay experiment, which aims to study the effects of spaceflight on cellular immune functions. Hoburg focused on operating the Astrobee robotic free-flying assistant and reviewed procedures for the upcoming Dragon resupply mission.
Flight Engineers Frank Rubio of NASA and Sultan Alneyadi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have been assisting with the spacewalk preparations, had various scientific tasks on their schedule. Rubio installed research equipment for a space fire safety study inside the Combustion Integrated Rack, while Alneyadi wore a Bio-Monitor vest and headband for 48 hours to monitor his cardiovascular system during regular crew activities.
Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin continued their collaborative efforts by installing upgraded data cables inside the Zvezda service module. Prokopyev also attached sensors to himself for a physical fitness evaluation on the station’s treadmill, while Petelin unpacked and stored cargo from the ISS Progress 84 space freighter. Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev spent the day practicing European robotic arm maneuvers from inside the Nauka science module.
What is the purpose of the upcoming spacewalk?
The purpose of the upcoming spacewalk is for NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg to install two new solar arrays delivered by the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft onto the starboard truss of the International Space Station (ISS).
When is the launch of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft?
The launch of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft is scheduled to take place on Saturday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The liftoff is set for 12:35 p.m. EDT.
What will the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft deliver to the International Space Station?
The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft will deliver essential supplies, including food, experiments, and hardware, to replenish the crew members on the International Space Station. Additionally, it will carry two new roll-out solar arrays that will be installed during the spacewalk.
How will the astronauts install the new solar arrays?
NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg will install the new solar arrays during a spacewalk scheduled for June 9. They will carefully follow spacewalk procedures and use their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), or spacesuits, to safely complete the installation.
What other activities are the astronauts and crew members engaged in?
In addition to the spacewalk preparations, the astronauts and crew members on the International Space Station are engaged in ongoing scientific experiments, station maintenance, and cargo activities. These activities include servicing blood samples for immune function studies, operating robotic assistants, installing research equipment, and practicing robotic arm maneuvers.
3 comments
Wow, it’s super cool to see how astronauts are gettin’ ready for their spacewalk! Dragon is gonna deliver all kinds of supplies and new solar arrays to the ISS. Can’t wait for the launch!
Spacewalk preps are always excitin’! Astronauts Bowen and Hoburg are gonna be busy installin’ those new solar arrays. Dragon’s carryin’ tons of stuff to keep the crew goin’. Go, Dragon, go!
Space is amazin’! Dragon is gettin’ ready to launch and dock with the ISS. The astronauts are gonna be performin’ important experiments and maintainin’ the station while they wait for their spacewalk. So much goin’ on up there!