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Following a successful launch of NASA\u2019s SpaceX 29th commercial resupply mission, scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including studies of enhanced optical communications and measurement of atmospheric waves, are on their way to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n
SpaceX\u2019s uncrewed Dragon resupply spacecraft, carrying about 6,500 pounds of cargo to the orbiting laboratory, launched on the company\u2019s Falcon 9 rocket at 8:28 p.m. EST, Thursday, Nov. 9, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/p>\n
The cargo spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock at the space station on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5:21 a.m. and remain at the orbital outpost for about a month.<\/p>\n
Live coverage of the arrival will begin at 3:45 a.m. on the NASA+ streaming service via\u00a0the web\u00a0or the\u00a0NASA\u00a0app. Coverage also will air live on NASA Television,\u00a0YouTube, and on the agency\u2019s\u00a0website. Learn how to\u00a0stream NASA TV\u00a0through a variety of platforms including social media.<\/p>\n
The SpaceX Dragon will deliver NASA\u2019s ILLUMA-T (Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low-Earth-Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal), which aims to test high data rate laser communications from the space station to Earth via the agency\u2019s LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration), as well as the agency\u2019s AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment), which studies atmospheric gravity waves to understand the flow of energy through Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere and space.<\/p>\n
The spacecraft will also deliver the following:<\/p>\n
Respiratory Health Research<\/strong><\/p>\n Gaucho Lung, sponsored by the International Space Station National Lab, studies how mucus lining the respiratory system affects the delivery of drugs carried in a small amount of injected liquid, known as a liquid plug. Conducting this research in microgravity makes it possible to isolate the factors involved, including capillary or wicking forces, mucus characteristics, and gravity. Understanding the role of these factors could inform the development and optimization of targeted respiratory treatments.<\/p>\n Water Filtration Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n Aquamembrane-3, <\/strong>an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), continues evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the space station with a type of membrane known as an Aquaporin Inside Membrane. These membranes incorporate proteins found in biological cells, known as aquaporins, to filter water faster while using less energy. Results could advance development of a complete and full-scale membrane-based water recovery system, improving water reclamation and reducing the amount of material that needs to be launched to the space station. This water filtration technology also could have applications in extreme environments on Earth, such as emergency settings, and decentralized water systems in remote locations.<\/p>\n Additionally, the cargo spacecraft will deliver hardware to the orbital outpost including:<\/p>\n These are just a few of the hundreds of investigations currently being conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. Advances in these areas will help keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars through NASA\u2019s Artemis program.<\/p>\n Get breaking news, images and features from the space station on Instagram, Facebook, and X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Subscribe and get the latest NASA news with a weekly update in your inbox:<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n News Media Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Joshua Finch \/ Julian Coltre Leah Cheshier\n
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
josuha.a.finch@nasa.gov \/ julian.n.coltre@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov<\/p>\n<\/div>\n