NASA and SpaceX have scheduled the launch of their 33rd commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for 2:45 a.m. EDT on Sunday, August 24.
The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, is set to deliver over 5,000 pounds of supplies, equipment, and scientific investigations to the ISS.
The Dragon is expected to dock autonomously with the space station at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, August 25.
The mission is crucial not only for providing food and supplies for the ISS crew but also for advancing scientific research.
Among the significant experiments included in this mission are studies on bone loss prevention using bone-forming stem cells, materials for 3D printing medical implants aimed at treating nerve damage, and bioprinted liver tissue to investigate blood vessel development in microgravity.
Research conducted aboard the ISS plays a vital role in laying the groundwork for future space exploration, including NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and astronaut missions to Mars.
In addition to delivering supplies and experiments, the Dragon spacecraft will perform a reboost demonstration to maintain the ISS’s orbit.
Equipped with an independent propellant system, the hardware in the trunk of the Dragon will fuel two Draco engines.
This mission will demonstrate the capability to help sustain the altitude of the ISS through a series of planned burns starting in September and continuing throughout the fall of 2025.
The capabilities demonstrated in this mission follow the first successful test during NASA’s SpaceX 31st commercial resupply mission on November 8, 2024.
After staying at the ISS until December, the Dragon spacecraft will return to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California with valuable research and cargo.
NASA has outlined the mission coverage schedule, with events leading up to the launch:
On Tuesday, August 19, at 1 p.m. EDT, an International Space Station National Laboratory Science Webinar will be held featuring experts in regenerative medicine and space-related research.
Those in the media who wish to attend must register for Zoom access at least one hour prior to the webinar.
The conference will be available for live streaming on the International Space Station National Lab’s website.
On Friday, August 22, at 11:30 a.m. EDT, a prelaunch media teleconference will feature key personnel from NASA and SpaceX discussing the upcoming mission.
Media outlets wanting to participate by phone should request dial-in information by emailing the NASA Kennedy Space Center newsroom by 10 a.m. EDT on August 22.
Audio of this teleconference will also stream live on NASA’s YouTube channel.
Launch day will begin on Sunday, August 24, at 2:25 a.m. EDT, with live coverage starting on NASA+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.
The launch is set for 2:45 a.m. EDT, followed by arrival coverage on Monday, August 25, starting at 6 a.m. EDT and culminating in docking at 7:30 a.m. EDT.
For further information, NASA will provide live launch day and prelaunch coverage on its official website.
Expect live streaming and blog updates to commence at 2:25 a.m. on the day of the launch.
Immediately following liftoff, on-demand streaming video and launch photographs will be made available.
Individuals interested in participating in the launch can register for NASA’s virtual guest program, which provides a curated selection of launch resources and notifications regarding mission updates.
Those wanting to engage on social media can share their excitement using the X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts associated with NASA, NASAKennedy, and the International Space Station.
NASA also caters to Spanish-speaking audiences through its dedicated NASA en Español platform, providing mission-related coverage on various social media channels.
For Spanish-language media inquiries or interview requests, contact Antonia Jaramillo or Messod Bendayan via email.
To learn more about this exciting mission and its impact on science and exploration, please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-spacex-crs-33/.
image source from：nasa
