SpaceX’s 16th Commercial Resupply Services Mission
SpaceX’s 16th Commercial Resupply Services (SpaceX CRS-16) mission is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida no earlier than Tuesday, December 4. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry supplies and research to the space station, including more than 20 ISS National Lab investigations.
Below provides information about the launch and will be continually updated.
Download more information on today’s launch including a mission overview, information about the Dragon spacecraft and a launch timeline!
Mission: SpaceX CRS-16
Launch date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 1:16p.m. EST
Location: Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida
Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket that is 229.6 ft long. Go here for Falcon 9’s full specs.
Spacecraft: Dragon
In 2012, SpaceX’s Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to the ISS and safely return to Earth. Go here for Dragon’s full specs.
Payload: Supplies and science investigations for the ISS
The science investigations on this mission will be carried out during Expeditions 57 and 58 onboard the ISS. More than 20 ISS National Lab investigations are included on this mission. Go here to learn more about these investigations.
Return: About one month after arriving to the ISS
When Dragon returns, it will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, carrying samples from previous experiments.
Resources for Additional Information
- For NASA’s launch blog and more information about the mission, go here.
- For information on NASA’s mission coverage, go here.