After a 24-hour delay, SpaceX’s Dragon cargo capsule is now at the International Space Station.
- SpaceX's Dragon carrying 5,500 pounds of food, science experiments
- Dragon was supposed to dock to ISS on Wednesday, but wrong navigational data called it off
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The spacecraft was launched from the Space Coast this past weekend with critical supplies on board.
.@SpaceX #Dragon parked 30 meters from station waiting for final approach command to 10 meter capture point. https://t.co/C7LVQGQ6Xn pic.twitter.com/xY7U7yGUPd
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) February 23, 2017
“Capture confirmed, Dragon in the grasp of the Canada 2 robotic arm,” NASA’s Rob Navias said as the SpaceX spacecraft docked at 5:44 a.m., Thursday, more than 200 miles over Australia.
.@SpaceX #Dragon capture confirmed at 5:44am EST (10:44am GMT) with @Thom_Astro at #Canadarm2 controls. https://t.co/YXnYmu3pW1 pic.twitter.com/ImqZBybi74
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) February 23, 2017
Wednesday, the Dragon’s computers had the wrong navigational data and in an effort to avoid collision with the ISS, or losing the spacecraft forever, the docking attempt was called off.
But a successful docking Thursday means the 5,500 pounds of food, supplies and science experiments on board can be unloaded.
#Dragon is attached to station now for next 30 days. Crew opens spacecraft this afternoon to unload science. https://t.co/C7LVQGQ6Xn pic.twitter.com/EtQUFNla3A
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) February 23, 2017
There are even mice on board Dragon. The mice will be used in an experiment to see if tissue can regenerate in microgravity.
The last time a Dragon capsule arrived at the ISS was back in July, which woke up Central Florida during re-entry.
If Thursday was not busy enough, another cargo capsule from Russia is expected to dock at the ISS on Friday.
Today's #Dragon arrival marks three space ships attached to the station. A fourth will arrive Friday morning. https://t.co/jXmQmuqzkG pic.twitter.com/FPEki8tjMa
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) February 23, 2017