The SpaceX Dragon freight craft is pictured docked to the International Space Stations space-facing port on the Harmony module on December 29, 2022. In the foreground, is the Dextre fine-tuned robotic hand attached to the Canadarm2 robotic arm. Credit: NASA
A U.S. cargo craft is being packed with hardware and sensitive research study samples for analysis on Earth before it leaves the International Space Station today, January 9, 2023. The Expedition 68 crew members likewise had time on Monday for biomedical activities and lab maintenance ensuring the station and the crew continue running in tip-top shape.
When it undocks from the Harmony modules space-facing port at 5:05 p.m. EDT today, the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship is poised to complete a 43-day stay connected to the station. NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Josh Cassada, and Frank Rubio together with Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are settling the loading of about 4,400 pounds products and science experiments inside the Dragon. NASA televisions live protection of Dragons undocking and departure begins at 4:45 p.m. on NASAs website and the companys app.
The team will close Dragons hatch about an hour and a half prior to its departure today. Dragon will then orbit Earth up until Wednesday when it reenters Earths environment and parachutes to a landing off the coast of Florida for retrieval by SpaceX and NASA support workers. NASA TV will not air Dragons return to Earth.
By NASA
January 9, 2023
NASA Televisions live protection of Dragons undocking and departure begins at 4:45 p.m. on NASAs website and the agencys app.
Dragon will then orbit Earth till Wednesday when it reenters Earths atmosphere and parachutes to a landing off the coast of Florida for retrieval by SpaceX and NASA support workers. NASA TV will not air Dragons return to Earth.
The quartet likewise split its day stowing a range and gathering of samples as part of continuous human research study studies. The astronauts started the early morning collecting their saliva samples and placing them in science freezer for later analysis. The foursome, with assistance from specialists on the ground, finished up the day drawing blood samples that will be analyzed back on Earth to understand how living long-lasting in space affects the human body.
The spaceport stations three cosmonauts focused mainly on orbital upkeep throughout Monday. Commander Sergey Prokopyev and Flight Engineer Dmitri Petelin serviced a selection of life assistance and electronic devices components. Flight Engineer Anna Kikina charged camera batteries and photographed electronics hardware inside the Zarya module.