The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, loaded with over 7,700 pounds of science, products, and cargo, approaches the International Space Station for a docking 264 miles above the Atlantic ocean in between South America and Africa in November 2022. Credit: NASAFollowing a weather evaluation, NASA and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than 5:05 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 21, for the undocking of the businesss 29th Dragon business resupply services mission from the International Space Station (ISS) due to undesirable weather condition in the splashdown zones off the coast of Florida.Coverage of Dragons departure Thursday will start at 4:45 p.m. on the NASA+ streaming service through the web or the NASA app. Coverage likewise will air reside on NASA Television, YouTube, and on the agencys website.After re-entering Earths environment, the spacecraft will splash down off the coast of Florida, which will not be relayed on NASA TV.NASA and Northrop Grumman continue to target Friday, December 22, for the departure of the Cygnus spacecraft from the orbital complex.Coverage of Cygnus departure Friday will start at 7:45 a.m. ahead of the robotic release of the spacecraft at 8:05 a.m. on the NASA+ streaming service by means of the web or the NASA app. Coverage likewise will air reside on NASA Television, YouTube, and on the companys website.Cygnus will carry out secondary payload operations following unberthing and complete a safe re-entry into the Earths environment where it will burn up harmlessly over the Pacific Ocean.The SpaceX Dragon freight craft is pictured leaving the vicinity of the spaceport station following its undocking from the Harmony modules space-facing port. Credit: NASASpaceX Cargo DragonThe SpaceX Cargo Dragon is a critical aspect in the improvement of commercial spaceflight, particularly in the realm of freight transport. Developed by SpaceX, the Cargo Dragon is a variation of the Dragon spacecraft, designed specifically for transferring materials, devices, and in some cases scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS). This spacecraft is notable for its capability to return significant quantities of freight to Earth, a feature not shared by all freight spacecraft.The Cargo Dragon is part of NASAs Commercial Resupply Services program and has actually been functional because 2012. It represents a major advance in recyclable spacecraft technology, as SpaceX has successfully demonstrated the ability to refurbish and relaunch these cars, significantly reducing the expense of access to space.File image of a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft in the grip of the International Space Stations Canadarm2 robotic arm. Credit: NASANorthrop Grumman Cygnus SpacecraftThe Northrop Grumman Cygnus freight spacecraft is another key player in the arena of industrial spaceflight, particularly in the resupply of the ISS. Established initially by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman), Cygnus was developed under NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Unlike the Cargo Dragon, Cygnus is mainly a disposable spacecraft, burning up in the Earths atmosphere after its objective is complete.It has actually been functional considering that 2013 and is capable of providing both pressurized and unpressurized freight to the ISS. Cygnus spacecraft are launched atop Antares rockets from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia, and they play an important role in keeping the continuous circulation of scientific research study and necessary supplies to the orbiting lab.
