NASA’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is set to return to Earth on Thursday, Dec. 5, carrying a cargo of scientific research samples and equipment back from its mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft will undock from the ISS at 11:05 a.m. EST and then fire its thrusters to move away from the station.
The Dragon spacecraft is filled with nearly 6,000 pounds of supplies, science investigations, and equipment, including a study on microbial life in the ISS water system, which successfully conducted DNA sequencing in space. The spacecraft also carries data on crew radiation exposure and characterizes the space radiation environment using SpaceTED technology.
Additionally, researchers will examine specimens printed with ESA’s Metal 3D Printer, which was used to test metal deposition in microgravity conditions. Another study involves observing high-speed video of bubble behavior in microgravity to understand fundamental processes that occur on a heated bubble surface.
The Dragon spacecraft will splash down off the coast of Florida and be transported to NASA’s Space Systems Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center for researchers to collect data with minimal sample exposure to Earth’s gravity. This mission marks an important step in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding of long-duration spaceflight.
NASA’s live coverage of the return will begin at 10:50 a.m. EST on NASA+. For more information, follow NASA’s social media accounts or visit the agency’s website for updates on the International Space Station.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-cover-its-31st-spacex-resupply-mission-station-departure