A little while ago, the SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft blasted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in its CRS-33 (Cargo Resupply Service 33) mission, also referred to as SPX-33. After almost 12 minutes, it separated successfully from the rocket’s last stage and went en route. This is the 33rd mission for the Dragon/Dragon 2 spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station with various cargoes and then return to Earth, again with various cargoes.
The Dragon 2 spacecraft’s cargo is a little more than 2,300 kg (about 5,070 lbs) between the pressurized and the non-pressurized section. There are about 1,091 kg (about 2,405 lbs) of food and other supplies for the International Space Station crew but most of the cargo consists of instruments, hardware, and various other materials needed to science experiments and research conducted aboard the Station.
The Microgravity Associated Bone Loss-B (MABL-B) study is among the ones focused on the effects of microgravity on bones. In particular, it assesses the effects of microgravity on bone marrow stem cells. The goal is to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in bone loss during space missions.
Metal 3D is a printer that represents the latest evolution of the tools being developed to enable the production of objects, including tools and spare parts, needed on the International Space Station.
Maturation of Vascularized Liver Tissue Construct in Zero Gravity (MVP Cell-07) is a biotechnology experiment studying liver tissue grown in space, complete with blood vessels. It’s part of the experiments conducted to improve the health of astronauts in space.
The InSPA-Auxilium Bioprinter is a kind of biological printer designed to 3D print implantable devices for drug delivery. The treatment of nerve damage is one of the main uses. The goal is to produce devices of better quality than those produced on Earth by exploiting the microgravity of the International Space Station.
This Dragon 2 cargo spacecraft is on its third mission, which means that it’s almost new by SpaceX standards. Its arrival at the station is scheduled for tomorrow: around 10.30 UTC, it will dock to the Station with an automated manoeuvre.
