SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Dragon spacecraft to low Earth orbit to deliver critical cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA.The recent launch on July 17 was successful.
Falcon 9
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up for maximum reliability. Falcon 9’s simple two-stage configuration minimizes the number of separation events — and with nine first-stage engines, it can safely complete its mission even in the event of an engine shutdown.
Dragon Spacecraft
This is the ninth mission by SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract. Among the
almost 5,000 pounds of supplies, equipment and science research Dragon will carry is the first of two
international docking adapters, which will allow Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon
spacecraft to dock to the station when transporting astronauts in the near future as part of NASA’s
Commercial Crew Program.
ISS Capture
About two days after launch, International Space Station crew members will use the station’s 57.7-foot
(17.6-meter) robotic arm to reach out and capture the Dragon spacecraft and attach it to the station.
Return Flight
Dragon will return to Earth after more than a month stay at the ISS. Approximately five hours after
Dragon leaves the station, it will conduct its deorbit burn, which lasts up to 10 minutes. It takes about 30
minutes for Dragon to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the
coast of Baja California.
No comments:
Post a Comment