SpaceX is on track for its next robotic cargo mission, CRS-29, to the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:28 p.m. EST on November 9. According to the weather forecast, there is a 95% chance that conditions will allow for liftoff.
Once in space, the Dragon will deliver a variety of supplies and scientific hardware, such as NASA’s AWE and ILLUMA-T experiments. ILLUMA-T will test high-speed communications in collaboration with NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration mission, and Dragon will also deliver holiday treats such as chocolate, pumpkin spice cappuccino, turkey, duck, quail, and cranberry sauce.
The Dragon will remain docked to the ISS for about a month before returning to Earth with approximately 3,800 pounds of cargo. This is the only cargo vehicle with the ability to return to Earth, as opposed to the other two, which are designed to burn up in the atmosphere upon completing their missions.
Originally scheduled for November 5, the launch was pushed back two days to ensure proper prelaunch processing, and then delayed an additional two days to address an issue with one of the Dragon’s Draco thrusters. The good news is that everything is now set for the CRS-29 mission to proceed as planned. You can watch it live here at Space.com or directly from NASA.
