launch is targeted for 4:55 p.m. EDT
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – New research and technology demonstrations for NASA are set to launch aboard the agency’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
The launch is targeted for 4:55 p.m. EDT Thursday, March 21, lifting off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Live launch coverage will air on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events starting Tuesday, March 19. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will deliver new scientific investigations, food, supplies, and equipment to the international crew. NASA and its partners will send studies aboard the mission on plant metabolism in space and a set of new sensors for free-flying Astrobee robots to provide 3D mapping capabilities.
Other research includes a fluid physics study that could benefit solar cell technology and a university project from CSA (Canadian Space Agency) that will monitor sea ice and ocean conditions.
Arrival at the station is scheduled for approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will dock autonomously to the zenith port of the station’s Harmony module.
The spacecraft is expected to spend about a month attached to the orbiting outpost before it returns to Earth with research and cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.
Full mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on operations):
■ Tuesday, March 19
3 p.m. – Prelaunch media teleconference with the following participants:
■ Kristi Duplichen, deputy manager, NASA’s International Space Station Transportation Integration Office
■ Heidi Parris, associate program scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program Research Office
■ Sarah Walker, director, SpaceX Dragon mission management
■ Melody Lovin, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron
Media may ask questions during the media teleconference by phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no later than 2 p.m. EDT March 19, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Thursday, March 21
■ 4:35 p.m. – Launch coverage begins
■ 4:55 p.m. – Launch
Saturday, March 23
■ 5:30 a.m. – NASA arrival coverage begins
■ 7:30 a.m. – Targeted docking to the zenith port of the station’s Harmony module
NASA’s coverage is subject to change based on real-time operational activities. Follow the International Space Station blog for updates.
NASA Television launch coverage
Live coverage of the launch on NASA Television will begin at 4:35 p.m. Thursday, March 21. For downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:
Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, or -7135.
On launch day, the full mission broadcast can be heard on -1220 and -1240, while the countdown net can only be heard on -7135 beginning approximately one hour before the mission broadcast begins.
On launch day, live coverage of the launch without NASA Television commentary will be carried on the NASA Television media channel.
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
The post NASA, SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission to ISS Scheduled to Liftoff Thursday From Cape Canaveral appeared first on Space Coast Daily.