SpaceX CRS-18, also known as SpX-18, was SpaceX's 18th flight to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services program for NASA. It was launched on 25 July 2019 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.[6][7]

The same Dragon capsule has previously flown to the ISS in April 2015 and December 2017.[8] This was the first time a capsule was used for a third flight.

Primary payload

CRS-18 launch

In February 2016, it was announced that NASA had awarded a contract extension to SpaceX for five CRS additional missions (CRS-16 to CRS-20).[9]

NASA has contracted for the CRS-18 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date/time of launch, and orbital parameters for the Dragon space capsule. It carried the third International Docking Adapter (IDA-3).[10]

The following is a breakdown of cargo bound for the ISS:[11]

  • Science investigations: 1,192 kg (2,628 lb)
  • Crew supplies: 233 kg (514 lb)
  • Vehicle hardware: 157 kg (346 lb)
  • Spacewalk equipment: 157 kg (346 lb)
  • Computer resources: 17 kg (37 lb)
  • External payloads: IDA-3 534 kg (1,177 lb)[12]

The Dragon spacecraft also featured a handful of ceramic heat shield tiles, meant to flight-test a critical component of the SpaceX Starship spacecraft.[13]

Gallery

SpaceX CRS-18
  • Launch of CRS-18
    Launch of CRS-18
  • Falcon 9 landing at LZ-1
    Falcon 9 landing at LZ-1
  • Dragon approaching the ISS
    Dragon approaching the ISS
  • Dragon decals indicating two prior flights
    Dragon decals indicating two prior flights

See also

References

  1. ^ Clark, Stephen (July 25, 2019). "New docking port, spacesuit and supplies en route to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  2. ^ Bergin, Chris (August 27, 2019). "CRS-18 Dragon completes mission with Pacific Ocean Splashdown". NASA SpaceflightNow. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. ^ Dragon Captured With New Science Experiments
  4. ^ Dragon Installed to Station’s Harmony Module for Cargo Operations
  5. ^ a b Live coverage: Dragon supply ship heading back to Earth today
  6. ^ "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  7. ^ SpaceX (July 25, 2019), CRS-18 Mission, retrieved July 25, 2019
  8. ^ @SpaceX (July 19, 2019). "The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously visited the @space_station in April 2015 and December 2017" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ de Selding, Peter B. (February 24, 2016). "SpaceX wins 5 new space station cargo missions in NASA contract estimated at $700 million". Space News. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Pietrobon, Steven (August 20, 2018). "United States Commercial ELV Launch Manifest". Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  11. ^ "spaceflightnow.com/2019/07/25/new-docking-port-spacesuit-and-supplies-en-route-to-space-station". July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "SpaceX's Cargo Dragon to Deliver New Space Station Docking Adapter for Commercial Crew Spacecraft". NASA. July 12, 2019.
  13. ^ Ralph, Eric (July 24, 2019). "SpaceX testing ceramic Starship heat shield tiles on flight-proven CRS-18 Cargo Dragon". Teslarati. Retrieved July 24, 2019.

External links