NASA’s SpaceX thirty third Commercial Resupply Mission Overview

NASA and SpaceX are focusing on no sooner than 2:45 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 24, for the following launch to ship scientific investigations, provides, and tools to the International Space Station.

Filled with greater than 5,000 kilos of provides, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, on the corporate’s Falcon 9 rocket, will carry off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Dragon will dock autonomously about 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, to the ahead port of the area station’s Harmony module.

This launch is the thirty third SpaceX business resupply companies mission to the orbital laboratory for the company, and the thirteenth SpaceX launch underneath the Commercial Resupply Services-2 contract. The first 20 launches had been underneath the unique resupply companies contract.

Watch company launch and arrival protection on NASA+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and extra. Learn the best way to watch NASA content material via quite a lot of platforms, together with social media.

NASA’s dwell launch protection will start at 2:25 a.m. on Aug 24. Dragon’s arrival protection will start at 6 a.m. on Aug. 25. For almost 25 years, the International Space Station has offered analysis capabilities utilized by scientists from over 110 international locations to conduct greater than 4,000 groundbreaking experiments in microgravity. Research performed aboard the area station advances Artemis missions to the Moon and human exploration of Mars, whereas offering a number of advantages to humanity.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will arrive on the area station and dock autonomously to the ahead port of the station’s Harmony module at roughly 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 25. NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Jonny Kim will monitor the spacecraft’s arrival. It will keep docked to the orbiting laboratory for about 4 months earlier than splashing down and returning crucial science and {hardware} to groups on Earth.

A research of bone-forming stem cells in microgravity may present perception into the fundamental mechanisms of the bone loss astronauts expertise throughout long-duration area flight forward of future exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Researchers recognized a protein within the physique known as IL-6 that may ship indicators to stem cells to advertise both bone formation or bone loss. This work evaluates whether or not blocking IL-6 indicators may cut back bone loss throughout spaceflight. Results may enhance our understanding of bone loss on Earth as a consequence of getting older or illness and result in new prevention and therapy methods.

Printing elements, instruments in area

As mission period and distance from Earth improve, resupply turns into more durable. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, may very well be used to make elements and devoted instruments on demand, enhancing mission autonomy.

Research aboard the area station has made strides in 3D printing with plastic, however it isn’t appropriate for all makes use of. Investigations from ESA’s (European Space Agency) Metal 3D Printer builds on latest profitable printing of the primary metallic elements in area.

Researchers plan to bioprint liver tissue containing blood vessels on the bottom and look at how the tissue develops in microgravity. Results may assist help the eventual manufacturing of complete practical organs for transplantation on Earth.

A earlier mission examined whether or not this bioprinted liver tissue survived and functioned in area. This experimental spherical may present whether or not microgravity improves the event of the bioprinted tissue.

Scientists are creating an implantable gadget in microgravity that would help nerve regrowth after accidents. The gadget is created via bioprinting, a kind of 3D printing that makes use of dwelling cells or proteins as uncooked supplies.

Traumatic accidents can create gaps between nerves, and current remedies have a restricted potential to revive nerve operate and should lead to impaired bodily operate. A bioprinted gadget to bridge nerve gaps may speed up restoration and protect operate.

Reboost Kit – This equipment will carry out a reboost demonstration of the station to keep up its present altitude. The {hardware}, situated in Dragon’s trunk, accommodates an impartial propellant system, separate from the spacecraft’s fundamental system, to gas two Draco engines utilizing current {hardware} and propellant system design.

The enhance equipment will show the aptitude to keep up the orbiting lab’s altitude beginning in September with a sequence of burns deliberate periodically all through the autumn of 2025. During NASA’s SpaceX thirty first business resupply companies mission, the Dragon spacecraft first demonstrated these capabilities on Nov. 8, 2024.

Poly Exercise Rope Kit – These train ropes distribute the specified train hundreds via a sequence of pulleys for the Advanced Restrictive Exercise Device. The ropes have a restricted life cycle, and will probably be obligatory to switch them as soon as they’ve reached their restrict.

Brine Filter – These filters take away stable particles from liquid in urine throughout processing as part of the station’s water restoration system.

Acoustic Monitor – A monitor that measures sound and data the information for obtain. This monitor will exchange the sound stage meter and the acoustic dosimeter at the moment aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Multi-filtration Bed – This area unit will help the Water Processor Assembly and proceed the International Space Station Program’s effort to switch a fleet of degraded models aboard the station to enhance water high quality via a single mattress.

Water Separator Orbital Unit – The unit attracts air and condensate combination from a condensing warmth exchanger and separates the 2 parts. The air is returned to the cabin air meeting outlet air-flow stream, and the water is delivered to the condensate bus. This unit launches to keep up in-orbit sparing whereas one other is being returned for restore.

Anomaly Gas Analyzer Top Assembly – This battery-powered gadget detects and displays gases aboard the station, together with oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide. It additionally measures cabin stress, humidity, and temperature. It replaces the Compound Specific Analyzer Combustion Products as the first instrument for detecting airborne chemical substances and circumstances.

Separator Pump (Water Recovery and Management) – This electrically-powered pump separates liquids and gases whereas rotating. It features a scoop pump that strikes the separated liquid into storage containers to be used in different methods. The pump additionally accommodates sensor parts and a filter to scale back electrical interference from the motor. Launching to keep up in-orbit sparing.

Reducer Cylinder Assembly & Emergency Portable Breathing Apparatus – Together, this {hardware} supplies quarter-hour of oxygen to a crew member in case of an emergency (smoke, fireplace, alarm). Two are launching to keep up a minimal in-orbit spare requirement. 

Passive Separator Flight Experiment – This experiment will take a look at a brand new technique for separating urine and air utilizing current expertise that mixes a water-repellent urine hose with an airflow separator from the station’s current Waste Hygiene Compartment.

Improved Resupply Water Tanks – Two tanks, every holding roughly 160 kilos of potable water, to complement the Urine Processing Assembly.

NORS (Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System) Maintenance Tank/Recharge Tank Assembly, Nitrogen – The NORS upkeep equipment contains two assemblies: the NORS recharge tank meeting and the NORS car interface meeting. The recharge tank meeting will likely be pressurized with nitrogen fuel for launch. The car interface meeting will defend the recharge tank meeting for launch and stowage aboard the area station. Launching to keep up reserve oxygen ranges on station.

Swab Kits – These quick-disconnect cleansing kits are designed and created to switch in-orbit stock.

Oxygen Generation Assembly Pump – The meeting pump converts potable water from the water restoration system into oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen is distributed to the crew cabin, and the hydrogen is both vented or used to provide extra water. The International Space Station has been utilizing this course of to provide oxygen and hydrogen for 15 years, and this unit will likely be retired upon its return to Earth. The flight help tools inside will likely be refurbished and utilized in a brand new pump launched aboard a future flight.

Carbon Dioxide Monitoring Assembly – A carbon dioxide monitor that measures the fuel utilizing the infrared absorption sensor. It expired in July 2025 and can return for refurbishment.

Meteoroid Debris Cover Center Section Assembly – This exterior multilayer insulation supplies thermal and micro-meteoroid orbital particles safety on the node port. After it’s eliminated and changed with a brand new meeting launching on NASA’s Northrop Grumman twenty third business resupply companies mission, this unit will return for restore or used for spare elements.  

Multi-filtration Bed – This spare unit helps the Water Processor Assembly, which improves water high quality aboard the International Space Station. Its return is a part of an ongoing effort to switch a degraded fleet of in-orbit models. After its use, this multi-filtration mattress will likely be refurbished for future re-flight.

Separator Pump – This electrically powered pump separates liquids and gases whereas rotating. It features a scoop pump that strikes the separated liquid into storage containers to be used in different methods. The pump additionally accommodates sensor parts and a filter to scale back electrical interference from the motor. This unit is designed to run to failure, and after investigation and testing, will probably be returned for restore and future flight.

Rate Gyro Enclosure Assembly – The Rate Gyro Assembly determines the area station’s charge of angular movement. It is returning for restore and refurbishment and will likely be used as a spare.

NORS (Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System) Maintenance Kit (Oxygen) – The NORS Maintenance Kit contains two assemblies: the NORS Recharge Tank Assembly and the NORS Vehicle Interface Assembly. The recharge tank meeting will likely be pressurized with Nitrogen fuel for launch. The car interface meeting will defend the recharge tank meeting for launch and stowage aboard the area station. They are routinely returned for reuse and re-flight. The equipment additionally features a VIA bag (car interface meeting) with foam, which is used as a cargo switch bag for launch and return to guard the tank.

Watch company launch and arrival protection on NASA+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and extra. Learn the best way to watch NASA content material via quite a lot of platforms, together with social media.

NASA’s dwell launch protection will start at 2:25 a.m. on Aug 24. Dragon’s arrival protection will start at 6 a.m. on Aug. 25.

Read extra about the best way to watch and interact.