NASA and SpaceX are currently targeting the launch of the CRS-29 resupply mission to the International Space Station this evening at 8:28 p.m. ET (01:28 UTC on the tenth).
The CRS-29 mission, the ninth within the Phase 2 portion of the contract awarded to SpaceX by NASA, will deliver 6,500 lbs (9,600 kg) of supplies and latest experiments to the orbiting outpost and can stay docked for a month before returning to Earth.
Targeting Thursday, November 9 at 8:28 p.m. ET for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s twenty ninth business resupply mission to the @space_station → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK pic.twitter.com/yj0PTW8z18
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 8, 2023
If the launch occurs on time, Cargo Dragon will autonomously dock to the Harmony module on the Space Station at 3:45 am ET Saturday morning.
A temporary showcase of a number of the experiments flying on this mission:
ILLUMA-T – This can test higher communications from the bottom to the space station to have the option to send more images and videos via laser and is quicker than using traditional radio signals.
NASA’s AWE – This experiment will use infrared imaging to measure atmospheric gravity waves, which might affect on-ground and space-based communications.
Aquamembrane 3 – The ESA’s continuing investigation into replacing “multi-filtration beds used for water recovery.” The agency is looking to exchange that with a membrane present in biological cells, aquaporin. These are in a position to filter water faster and more efficiently than the present system.
Forty rodents can even be flying to the ISS, with 20 of them returning when the CRS 29 mission is complete.
Many more experiments and supplies are flying on this mission, but with Thanksgiving this month, crews will receive some “holiday treats” so as to add something different to the meals from their usual menu.
This launch was initially scheduled to occur on the fifth of the month, but there was a difficulty as a consequence of a leak of an NTO (nitrogen tetroxide valve on the Dragon spacecraft, SpaceX crews were in a position to successfully replace the valve and adjust to the brand new launch date.
As for the vehicles launching this mission, each are on their 2nd flights. Booster 1081 is assigned for this mission, having previously launched Crew 7 to the ISS and Cargo Dragon C211, which previously launched to the ISS on the CRS 26 mission.
After lift-off, B1081 will perform a boostback burn and land at LZ-1 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Weather shouldn’t be a difficulty for tonight’s launch; the forty fifth Weather Squadron predicts a 95% likelihood of acceptable weather for the instantaneous launch window. If a technical issue prevents launch, there’s a backup opportunity 24 hours later with a 90% likelihood of acceptable weather.
Watch the launch live below on NASA’s YouTube channel!