A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried an unpiloted Dragon cargo spacecraft into orbit early Tuesday morning, marking the latest resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Launched from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:33 a.m. EDT, the vehicle lifted off with 1.7 million pounds of thrust, delivering over 6,300 pounds of equipment, spare parts, and research materials to the orbital laboratory.
The mission also transported two final roll-out solar array blankets, known as IROSA units, which are essential for a major power upgrade to the station. These arrays compensate for the degradation of the ISS’s original eight solar wings caused by years of exposure to the space environment. Six IROSA blankets were previously installed via spacewalks beginning in June 2021. The remaining two will be mounted during extravehicular activities scheduled for later this month and early November.
The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster separated approximately two and a half minutes after liftoff and returned to launch site 1 at 6:41 a.m., landing within a few hundred feet of its mark. Meanwhile, observers at the Kennedy Space Center captured a striking visual of the space station passing 260 miles overhead, its trajectory visible against the rocket’s exhaust trail.
Among the cargo’s most anticipated items are fresh provisions for the six-person crew. Bill Spetch, NASA’s space station program manager, noted the shipment includes oranges, apples, grapefruit, tomatoes, blueberries, baby carrots, and mini sweet peppers. The payload also features treats such as pizza kits, cookies, candy, and special holiday items.
In addition to the crew supplies, the Cargo Dragon is transporting 1,307 pounds of scientific equipment, 880 pounds of vehicle and computer hardware, and 417 pounds of spacewalk gear. Dana Weigel, director of low-Earth orbit operations at the Johnson Space Center, explained that the new IROSA blankets generate 20 kilowatts each. They will be installed atop the existing arrays, operating in parallel to restore the station’s power output to original factory specifications using more efficient, higher-density solar cells.
If all systems proceed as planned, the Dragon spacecraft will autonomously dock with the ISS’s forward Harmony module on Thursday at 11 a.m.
The booster landing right back at the pad is always impressive. SpaceX has really perfected that reusable rocket technology over the years.
I wonder if the November installation will face any delays. Those spacewalks are incredibly complex and weather-dependent, unlike here on Earth.
It is fascinating how they completed the final solar array upgrades. Keeping the station powered efficiently for decades is no small feat.
Love seeing those fresh fruits and vegetables up there. The crew really needs some variety after months of freeze-dried meals.