SpaceX CRS-8 Delivers New Science to the Space Station
Media Credit: SpaceX
On April 8, 2016, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a Dragon spacecraft loaded with nearly 7,000 pounds of supplies and science destined for the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station), soared through the sky over Cape Canaveral, FL. This launch marked the eighth cargo resupply mission to the ISS for SpaceX. Minutes after liftoff, which occurred at 4:43 p.m. ET, the Dragon spacecraft separated from the rocket—beginning a two-day journey to rendezvous with the space station. The excitement from the picturesque launch was equally matched as the world witnessed the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket successfully land on a drone ship located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.
Media Credit: NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
The Dragon spacecraft arrived at the ISS on Sunday, April 10. European Space Agency Astronaut Tim Peake, assisted by NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams, captured the commercial cargo vehicle with the station’s robotic arm, Canadarm 2, at 7:23 a.m. ET. Hour later, SpaceX Dragon, was bolted and secured on the Harmony module of the ISS at 9:57 a.m. Dragon’s successful delivery brings new science research to the orbital laboratory including an expandable space habitat, life sciences research from Eli Lilly and Co., and a DNA experiment from 17-year-old scientist.