Thursday, July 30, 2026
Sci/Tech - LEVEL2

SpaceX’s Dragon Cargo Ship Launched to Space Station

By aimee yang

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.

Test Your Understanding

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

uncrewed/ʌnˈkruːd/adjective
not carrying people on board a vehicle

cargo/ˈkɑrɡoʊ/noun
things moved by a ship, plane, or truck

orbit/ˈɔrbɪt/noun
path that an object follows around another

stage/steɪdʒ/noun
one part of a process or event

mission/ˈmɪʃən/noun
important job or trip with a goal

dock/dɑk/verb
connect a spacecraft to a space station
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

How many pounds of supplies and equipment does the Dragon cargo ship carry?
5,000 pounds
6,500 pounds
7,000 pounds
8,000 pounds
From where did the Falcon 9 rocket launch?
Kennedy Space Center
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Johnson Space Center
What was the reason for the launch delay?
Technical issues
Bad weather
Supply chain disruptions
Crew availability
How many science projects are included with the Dragon's supplies?
30 science projects
50 science projects
70 science projects
100 science projects
This mission marks the _____ Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX.
500th
600th
638th
700th
This mission marks the Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX.
What is significant about this Cargo Dragon spacecraft's mission?
It is the first mission of this year
It is going to the ISS for a sixth time
It is carrying a rover
It is uncrewed
The Dragon cargo ship is uncrewed.
The Falcon 9 rocket took off at 6:05 a.m. ET.
The cargo includes clothing and food as well as research equipment.
The first stage of the rocket landed safely back at Cape Cod.
This mission is the 56th Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX this year.
The Dragon will dock with the ISS late on Saturday.
The Dragon cargo ship carries pounds of supplies and equipment.
The launch was delayed due to weather.
The rocket's first stage fell away minutes after takeoff.
The second stage continued to send the Dragon into after launch.
The Dragon is going to the ISS for a time.
If successful, the Dragon will dock with the ISS early on morning.
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
uncrewed/ʌnˈkruːd/adjective
not carrying people on board a vehicle
cargo/ˈkɑrɡoʊ/noun
things moved by a ship, plane, or truck
orbit/ˈɔrbɪt/noun
path that an object follows around another
stage/steɪdʒ/noun
one part of a process or event
mission/ˈmɪʃən/noun
important job or trip with a goal
dock/dɑk/verb
connect a spacecraft to a space station
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

How many pounds of supplies and equipment does the Dragon cargo ship carry?
5,000 pounds
6,500 pounds
7,000 pounds
8,000 pounds
From where did the Falcon 9 rocket launch?
Kennedy Space Center
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Johnson Space Center
What was the reason for the launch delay?
Technical issues
Bad weather
Supply chain disruptions
Crew availability
How many science projects are included with the Dragon's supplies?
30 science projects
50 science projects
70 science projects
100 science projects
This mission marks the _____ Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX.
500th
600th
638th
700th
This mission marks the Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX.
What is significant about this Cargo Dragon spacecraft's mission?
It is the first mission of this year
It is going to the ISS for a sixth time
It is carrying a rover
It is uncrewed
The Dragon cargo ship is uncrewed.
The Falcon 9 rocket took off at 6:05 a.m. ET.
The cargo includes clothing and food as well as research equipment.
The first stage of the rocket landed safely back at Cape Cod.
This mission is the 56th Falcon 9 launch for SpaceX this year.
The Dragon will dock with the ISS late on Saturday.
The Dragon cargo ship carries pounds of supplies and equipment.
The launch was delayed due to weather.
The rocket's first stage fell away minutes after takeoff.
The second stage continued to send the Dragon into after launch.
The Dragon is going to the ISS for a time.
If successful, the Dragon will dock with the ISS early on morning.
This question is required

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