SpaceX launches the 33rd freight delivery mission to the international space station

SpaceX early Sunday launched its 33rd replenishment mission to the international space station, sending a 2.5 toned dragon capsule of equipment and supplies as well as a complementary propellant kit to help maintain the altitude of the laboratory.

Perched at the top of a Falcon 9 rocket in Workhorse, Commercial Repaply Mission 33 started with a skylighting from the sky from the Cape Canaveral Cape Station at 2:45 a.m., climbing on a northeast trajectory aligned with the orbit of the space station.

Nine minutes and 45 seconds later, a few moments after landing in the first stage of the first step in complete safety on an offshore droneship, the dragon was released from the second stage of the rocket, launching a 29-hour meeting with the orbit laboratory complex.

If everything is going well, the cargo will store for mooring at the port before the station at 7:30 am on Monday. On board: more than 2,400 pounds of crew supplies, nearly 1,000 pounds of scientific equipment, 1,300 pounds of space station equipment, computer equipment and space equipment.

Food includes the usual variety of fresh items and requested for crew, including coffee, tea and more than 1,500 tortillas.

“We pilot tortillas because … other breads and things like that have too many crumbs and things of this nature (which float in weightlessness), so you cannot keep it in orbit,” said Bill Spetch, director of operations and integration of the ISS. “The tortillas are a great substitute for this.”

On a larger note, Heidi Parris, scientist of the associated program for the space station, noted that NASA will mark 25 years of human presence continues on board the laboratory in November.

During this quarter of a century, she said: “We welcomed more than 280 residents, we allowed more than 4,000 scientific experiences and technological demonstrations (representative) the work of more than 5,000 researchers in more than 110 countries around the world.”

The CRS-33 mission will bring 50 research projects to the laboratory, including a new study of the effects of microgravity on bone loss, a 3D metal printer to assess the manufacturing capacity of spare parts and on-demand tools in space and experience to study the effectiveness of 3D “bioprimimation”.

“This survey … seeks to create an implantable 3D -printed medical device which can support nervous regrowth after an injury by filling the gap to reconnect the cut nerves while simultaneously providing drugs that can support nervous regeneration,” said Parris.

The performance of an additional propulsion system made up of two SpaceX Draco engines, six tanker tanks and a helium supply to press the system. The equipment is mounted in the section of the open rear trunk of the dragon.

“The altitude of the space station is slowly disintegrated over time due to the thin quantity of atmosphere still at our altitude,” said Spetch. “To counter this trail, we sometimes have to increase the altitude of the ISS.”

The Russians manage the majority of these restart operations, offering the necessary propellers and periodically pulling propellants on board progress and the station itself.

“With the addition of the boost trunk to this mission, Dragon will also provide this ability to maintain the altitude of the station,” said Spetch. “The boost kit will help maintain the altitude of the laboratory orbit from September with a series of burns planned periodically throughout the fall 2025.”

The CRS-33 Dragon will remain moored at the station until December. Meanwhile, the Boost kit will provide the progression missions of one and a half.

Sarah Walker, director of Dragon Mission Management at SpaceX, said that the Boost kit will provide approximately a quarter of the propulsion required in one year to maintain the altitude of 260 miles from the station. The first “burn”, which is expected to last approximately 20 minutes, is scheduled for September 3.