The new version of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to make its maiden flight to orbit on Sunday when the Falcon 9 rocket takes off the supply-filled Dragon 2 to the International Space Station.
The new Dragon can carry 50 percent more science payloads Comparison with previous versions according to SpaceX. This is the 21st launch for Elon Musk’s Rocket Company as part of its Commercial Response Services (CRS) agreement with NASA.
In addition to supplies for astronauts and the station, CRS-21 will conduct several experiments for the ISS, including The first COVID-19 drug research experiment In space A number of biological investigations will take advantage of technologies such as tissue-no-chip and brain organoids, which can be used to mimic human tissues and record how they respond to microorganisms.
Another experiment on board is Biosteroid, which aims to help determine whether organisms such as fungi can be used to help in the extraction of valuable substances such as rare earth metals from asteroids into mines or other world bases.
“We’ll find out if those microbes can get the elements they want to use in industry from the surfaces and interiors of asteroids,” said Charles Cockle, chief investigator of Bioster Oid Id in a NASA video below.
Flying on the Dragon is Nanorex’s new Arol module which is similar to the Japanese Air Lock already on the ISS, but significantly larger. New infrastructure may allow cubets or other payloads to be deployed into space from the space station.
The Falcon 9 booster will make its fourth flight lifting the Dragon 2 and should land on a drone ship in the Atlantic a few minutes after the blasting. Dragons should be docked with ISS approximately 24 hours after launch.
The launch was set for Saturday, but then due to bad weather on Sunday, Dec December, late evening: 17 :: 17 at P.T. (11:11 am ET) is from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Whenever the mission lands, we make sure to embed the livestream so you can see it right here.