SpaceX will launch the Dragon spacecraft on the next supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on March 30, if everything goes according to plan. Liftoff will take place aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
The CRS-3 mission was originally planned for launch of 16 March. Blastoff was delayed due to concerns over possible payload contamination. Material discovered on the imaging and communications equipment aboard the Dragon spacecraft was deemed to not pose a significant risk to the mission.
Liftoff is scheduled for 10:50 p.m. EDT, on Sunday night. Live coverage of the launch will begin around 9:45 p.m., broadcasted on the NASA Channel. The day before launch, mission engineers and specialists will host a pre-launch news conference at 1 p.m. EDT. A backup date of 2 April is planned in the event the next launch attempt is scrubbed.
If the SpaceX mission gets underway on schedule, the Dragon spacecraft will arrive at the space station on 2 April, at about 7 a.m. Eastern time. The capture and berthing of the Dragon capsule will be broadcasted on the space agency's television channel, starting at 5:45 a.m. Eastern time.
SpaceX designed the Falcon 9 with safety and reusability as primary concerns.
"As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up for maximum reliability. Falcon 9's simple two-stage configuration minimizes the number of separation events - and with nine first-stage engines, it can safely complete its mission even in the event of an engine shutdown," SpaceX managers wrote on their website.
This was the first commercial launch system capable of reaching the International Space Station, which it first reached in 2012. The rocket is also capable of delivering humans to space. That goal has yet to be reached in the program.
After the mission is complete, the Dragon spacecraft will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, and slow its descent with parachutes. The craft will then make a splashdown in the water off the coast of southern California.
This will be the third trip to the ISS for SpaceX. The company has a contract with NASA for at least nine more resupply missions.
Aboard the craft are 4,600 pounds of equipment and supplies for the crew on-board the ISS.
"Science payloads include... the Vegetable Production System (VEGGIE), a unit capable of producing salad-type vegetables in space," NASA wrote [pdf] in a media press pack for the mission.
When the mission returns from orbit, it will be carrying about 3,600 pounds of materials back from the station.
SpaceX will also broadcast the launch live on their website.
