SpaceX launched the latest resupply mission for the International Space Station this evening with a Falcon 9 launch from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff was at 9:29 PM EDT into skies that cleared just in time for the launch.
Around seven and a half minutes after launching roughly ten miles away, Falcon 9 Booster B1083 completed its fifth mission successfully when it touched down at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marked the 46th landing at LZ-1 and the 365th Falcon booster landing of all time.
At roughly the same time, the second stage of Falcon 9 achieved orbit and at 9:48 PM the Cargo Dragon was released to continue under its own power towards ISS. A successful nose-cone deployment marked the end of the launch phase of the CRS-2 SpX-31 mission.
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
SpaceX noted on X.com after the launch that this mission was their 400th successful Falcon launch.
Twelve hours and twenty-three minutes later, Cargo Dragon docked at the Harmony module of ISS, completing its journey to the space station.
Payload Info
According to NASA, the payload for the CRS-31 (NASA CRS 2 SpX 31) mission includes:
- Crew supplies: 961 kg (2,119 lb)
- Science investigations: 917 kg (2,022 lb)
- Spacewalk equipment: 171 kg (377 lb)
- Vehicle hardware: 238 kg (525 lb)
- Computer resources: 20 kg (44 lb)
NASA also says, “In addition to food, supplies, and equipment for the crew, Dragon will deliver several new experiments, including the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, to examine solar wind and how it forms. Dragon also delivers Antarctic moss to observe the combined effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plants. Other investigations aboard include a device to test cold welding of metals in microgravity, and an investigation that studies how space impacts different materials.”
By The Numbers
- 19th launch from LC-39A this year
- 37th consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch
- 75th Eastern Range (Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center combined) in 2024
- 109th SpaceX launch this year
- 186th orbital launch attempt from LC-39A, all-time
- 245th launch from KSC, all-time
- 400th Successful Falcon launch
Next Launch
SpaceX is scheduled to launch Starlink 6-77 and another set of Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 Wednesday afternoon from Space Launch Complex 40. This is the second attempt to launch this mission — the first attempt was scrubbed with less than three minutes to go in the countdown due to a helium issue.
- Date: NET November 6, 2024
- Organization: SpaceX / NASA
- Mission: Starlink 6-77
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Launch Site: Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral
- Launch Window: 3:39 – 7:39 PM EST
- Payload: Starlink satellites
Keep in mind that launch dates and times change often. Launch attempts can be scrubbed anytime due to weather, technical reasons, or range conditions.
See Also: NASA Planning to Send Supplies to ISS
