A SpaceX cargo ship is scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday morning, August 25. This mission marks a significant event for space enthusiasts, as you can watch the rendezvous live. A robotic Dragon capsule is expected to dock with the ISS at approximately 7:30 a.m. EDT (11:30 GMT), concluding a roughly 29-hour orbital chase.
You can catch all the action live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the agency’s official channels. Coverage will begin at 6 a.m. EDT (10:00 GMT) on Monday, offering viewers an inside look at this exciting moment in space exploration.
This Dragon capsule is part of SpaceX's 33rd mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. The flight, designated as CRS-33, commenced with a launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket early Sunday morning, August 24. The capsule is transporting approximately 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) of essential food, supplies, and scientific experiments to the astronauts aboard the orbiting lab.
According to acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, these commercial resupply missions play a critical role in delivering scientific advancements that support technologies for the upcoming Artemis lunar missions and future endeavors. This particular flight will focus on testing 3D printing of metal parts and bioprinting tissue in microgravity, which could provide astronauts with crucial tools and medical support during future missions to the Moon and Mars.
The work of the CRS-33 Dragon capsule will not conclude with its docking. The capsule will also be responsible for maintaining the ISS's altitude through a series of engine burns. This function is vital for counteracting the effects of frictional drag, which has primarily been managed by Russian Progress cargo vehicles over the years.
It's noteworthy that Russia is considering exiting the ISS consortium in 2028, two years earlier than the planned end of the station's life. Should this occur, the remaining international partners will need to rely on alternative methods for station-boosting, such as burns executed by the Dragon and Cygnus, the robotic cargo ship developed by Virginia-based Northrop Grumman. Both vehicles have demonstrated their capability to perform this essential function.
The CRS-33 mission is expected to conclude in December when the Dragon capsule, loaded with samples and other scientific equipment, will return to Earth. The splashdown will take place off the coast of California, marking the end of a significant chapter in SpaceX's ongoing partnership with NASA and the exploration of space.
