SpaceX, in collaboration with NASA, is preparing for the 29th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch, scheduled for 8:28 p.m. EST, Thursday, Nov 9, will see the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft carry over 6,500 pounds of crew supplies, equipment, and science experiments. The weather conditions for the launch are predicted to be 95% favorable.
The mission carries scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including studies of enhanced optical communications and measurement of atmospheric waves. The public is invited to virtually attend the launch. NASA has also released a new app to help the public spot the International Space Station.
In addition to the resupply mission, SpaceX is preparing for its first Crew Dragon launch with astronauts from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, with the crew access arm being installed. Axiom Space's third private astronaut mission to the ISS is likely to be the first to use the new tower due to a busy schedule at Launch Complex-39A. The mission, led by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, will send three European astronauts to the ISS for up to 14 days.
SpaceX is aiming to achieve 100 launches by the end of the year, with four launches scheduled this week. These include a Starlink mission, the Transporter 9 rideshare mission, a resupply mission to the ISS, and the launch of two O3b mPOWER 5 & 6 satellites for SES.