SpaceX launched an uncrewed Dragon cargo ship on Friday. The ship carries 6,500 pounds of supplies and equipment for the International Space Station (ISS). This includes near a ton of research tools and materials for about 50 science projects.
The launch was delayed by three days due to bad weather. At 6:05 p.m. ET, the Dragon’s Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It flew northeast to match the ISS orbit.
Two and a half minutes after takeoff, the rocket’s first stage fell away. This stage then landed safely back at Cape Canaveral. The second stage continued to send the Dragon into space, releasing it nine minutes and 20 seconds after launch.
This mission marks SpaceX’s 638th Falcon 9 launch and the 56th this year. It is also significant because this is the first time a Cargo Dragon spacecraft is going to the ISS for a sixth time.
The cargo includes essential items like food and clothing, as well as over 1,800 pounds of research equipment. If successful, the Dragon will dock with the ISS early on Sunday. The astronauts aboard will then unload the supplies.
