A SpaceX cargo ship is set to embark on an exciting journey to the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday morning, August 24. The mission, officially named CRS-33, will carry approximately 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) of vital supplies destined for the ISS. This launch promises to be a significant event in the realm of space exploration, and enthusiasts can watch the action live.
The robotic Dragon capsule is scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at precisely 2:45 a.m. EDT (0645 GMT). The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, located on the scenic coast of Florida. Coverage of the launch will begin approximately 20 minutes prior to liftoff, allowing viewers to experience the anticipation and excitement leading up to the event. You can catch the live stream on Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly through the agency's broadcast.
If all goes according to plan, the CRS-33 Dragon capsule will successfully dock with the ISS on Monday, August 25. The docking is slated to occur at the forward port of the Harmony module. Coverage of the rendezvous will commence at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT), with the actual docking scheduled for 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT). This successful docking will mark another milestone in NASA's ongoing efforts to maintain and supply the ISS.
In addition to delivering essential supplies, the CRS-33 Dragon will also conduct a reboost demonstration at the ISS. This critical maneuver involves firing the capsule's thrusters to elevate the space station's orbit, which is necessary due to atmospheric drag encountered at approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth. Historically, these reboosts have been performed by Russian Progress spacecraft. However, with Russia potentially withdrawing from the ISS program by 2028, NASA has enlisted the help of its U.S. cargo ship suppliers, including SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, to conduct these vital reboost operations.
Resupply missions like CRS-33 occur every few months to ensure astronauts aboard the ISS have access to fresh food, essential supplies, and advanced scientific equipment. This Sunday’s launch will deliver an impressive array of cargo, including food, supplies, and several scientific experiments. Notable among these experiments are bone-forming stem cells aimed at studying bone loss prevention and materials designed for 3D printing medical implants, which may enhance treatments for nerve damage on Earth. Additionally, the Dragon capsule will transport bioprinted liver tissue for research on blood vessel development in microgravity, as well as supplies for 3D printing metal cubes in space.
The CRS-33 Dragon is expected to remain attached to the ISS until December, providing a significant resource for astronauts conducting research and experiments. Once its mission is complete, astronauts will load the Dragon capsule with cargo and completed scientific experiments for return to Earth. The spacecraft will then make its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, marking the conclusion of another successful mission in the ongoing partnership between SpaceX and NASA.
