NASA and SpaceX have announced that the Dragon spacecraft is set to undock from the International Space Station on Thursday, Dec. 21. This exciting event will be broadcasted live on NASA Television, YouTube, and the NASA app, allowing viewers to witness the spacecraft’s departure.
The Dragon spacecraft will undock from the station’s Harmony module at 9:05 p.m., following a command from ground controllers. After the undocking, the spacecraft will move to a safe distance away from the station. It is planned to splash down off the coast of Florida, enabling quick transportation of experiments to NASA’s Space Station Processing Facility.
A significant amount of supplies and scientific experiments will be brought back to Earth aboard the Dragon spacecraft. More than 4,300 pounds of research investigations will make their way home. These include studies on genetic adaptations in plants grown in space, the response of cells to gravity, telomere measurement, and microgravity research. These investigations aim to further our understanding of various aspects of space travel and exploration.
The Dragon spacecraft has been at the International Space Station since its arrival on Nov. 11. It delivered research investigations, crew supplies, and hardware, contributing to the ongoing scientific projects being conducted at the station. Currently, the International Space Station is involved in hundreds of investigations in areas such as biology, physics, technology development, Earth science, and human research. These investigations are crucial in advancing our knowledge and capabilities in space exploration.
For any media inquiries or further information, interested parties can refer to the provided contact information. Stay tuned to NASA Television, YouTube, and the NASA app to witness the exciting undocking and departure of the Dragon spacecraft from the International Space Station.
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