SpaceX CRS-21

Last updated

SpaceX CRS-21
Cargo Dragon CRS-21 Undocking.png
CRS-21 undocks from ISS
NamesSpX-21
Mission type ISS Commercial Resupply Services
Operator SpaceX
COSPAR ID 2020-093A OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 47233
Website https://www.spacex.com/
Mission duration38 days, 9 hours, 9 minutes
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft Cargo Dragon   C208
Spacecraft type Cargo Dragon
Manufacturer SpaceX
Launch mass6,000 kg (13,000 lb)
Payload mass2,972 kg (6,552 lb)
DimensionsHeight: 8.1 m (27 ft)
Diameter: 4 m (13 ft)
Start of mission
Launch date6 December 2020,
16:17:08 UTC [1] [2]
Rocket Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1058.4)
Launch site Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Contractor SpaceX
End of mission
Recovered by GO Navigator [3]
Landing date14 January 2021, 01:26 UTC [4]
Landing site Gulf Coast
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit
Regime Low Earth orbit
Inclination 51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking port Harmony zenith
Docking date7 December 2020, 18:40 UTC [5]
Undocking date12 January 2021, 14:05 UTC [6]
Time docked35 days, 19 hours, 25 minutes
Cargo
Mass2,972 kg (6,552 lb)
Pressurised1,882 kg (4,149 lb)
Unpressurised1,090 kg (2,400 lb)
SpaceX CRS-21 Patch.png
SpaceX CRS-21 mission patch
←  NG-14
NG-15  →
 

SpaceX CRS-21, also known as SpX-21, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station which launched on 6 December 2020. [1] [2] The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon 2. This was the first flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016. This was also the first Cargo Dragon of the new Dragon 2 variant, as well as the first Cargo Dragon flight that was docked at the same time as a Crew Dragon spacecraft (SpaceX Crew-1). This mission used Booster B1058.4, becoming the first NASA mission to reuse a booster previously used on a non-NASA mission. This was also first time SpaceX launched a NASA payload on a booster with more than one previous flight. [7] [8]

Contents

Cargo Dragon

SpaceX plans to reuse the Cargo Dragons up to five times. It was launched without seats, cockpit controls, the life support system required to sustain astronauts in space and SuperDraco abort engines. [9] [10] Dragon 2 improves on Dragon 1 in several ways, including lessened refurbishment time, leading to shorter periods between flights. [11]

While CRS-21 was for a standard 30 days mission, the most recent Flight Planning Integration Panel (FPIP) document indicates that beginning with CRS-23, SpaceX cargo missions will begin to stretch out to 60 days and beyond. [12] Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management at SpaceX, said "the new Cargo Dragon can stay at the space station for up to 75 days, more than twice as long as the first-generation Dragon spacecraft". [13]

With this mission, this was the first time that two Dragon capsules were docked at the ISS at the same time.

Beginning with the CRS-21 mission, the new Dragon Cargo capsules splash down under parachutes off the coast of Florida in either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. [14] This NASA preference was added to CRS-2 awards. [10] [15]

Mission

Configuration with the new Nanoracks Bishop Airlock Expedition 64 - Status with the new NanoRacks Bishop airlock.png
Configuration with the new Nanoracks Bishop Airlock

Timeline

T+00:00: Liftoff
T+01:18: Maximum aerodynamic pressure
T+02:30: First stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
T+02:34: Stage separation
T+02:41: Second stage engine start
T+06:37: First stage entry burn begins
T+08:38: Second stage engine cutoff (SECO)
T+08:38: First stage landing on drone ship
T+11:49: Dragon separation
T+12:35: Dragon nose cone open sequence begins

Payload

NASA contracted for the CRS-21 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date of launch, and orbital parameters for the Cargo Dragon. The CRS-21 mission carries 2,972 kg (6,552 lb) of cargo to ISS. [16] [17] [18]

Nanoracks technicians work on the Bishop airlock, which launched on CRS-21 KSC-20200929-PH GEB02 0028.jpg
Nanoracks technicians work on the Bishop airlock, which launched on CRS-21

Nanoracks Bishop Airlock , formerly known as Bishop Airlock Module, is a payload airlock attached to the Tranquility module of the ISS, commercially developed and operated by Nanoracks. [19] [20] The Bishop Airlock provides five times the satellite deployment volume previously available, when the Japanese Kibō airlock served that role alone. Nanoracks is the prime contractor, with Thales Alenia Space manufacturing the pressurized shell and Boeing providing the berthing mechanism. [21] It is the second commercial module of the ISS, after the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which was attached to the ISS in April 2016 and is expected to stay at the ISS until at least 2028. The Bishop Airlock began construction in 2015, and was berthed to Tranquility on 19 December 2020 by the Canadarm2. [22]

Experiments

BioAsteroid is an experiment designed to test the infrastructure and tools needed for asteroid, lunar, and Martian rock biomining. It will use microorganisms (the bacterium S. desiccabilis and the fungus P. simplicissimum) to extract metals from L-chondrite, testing the possibility to use this technique to obtain resources that will allow long-term and long-distance human space exploration and extraterrestrial settlements.

Hemocue is a test of the system for white blood cell testing on the Moon and Mars. The systems were developed under Earth's gravity, and still need to be tested in zero-g's.

The Brain Organoid experiment is a continuation of the first Brain Organoid experiment. Its goal is to validate the first round of experiments and to continue the research recorded during those first tests. The program studies the early developed human brain, its movements in microgravity, and can help address and create better models of neurodegenerative disorders.

Cardinal Heart is a continuation of a previous experiment. This experiment will study cardiomyocytes in human heart tissue and its reaction to a zero-g environment. NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins was present for the experiment on station a few years ago, and she said that, paraphrased, few things on station make her gasp, but this is one thing that does.

Subsa-Brains studies the effects of micrometeorites and space junk and the damage they can cause, as well as the process to repair the tissue, called brazing, and if it still works in a zero-gravity environment.

Three-Dimensional Microbial Monitoring (3DMM) is a project that aims to construct a three-dimensional map of bacteria and metabolites that are present at various locations throughout the ISS, and determine how the spaceflight environment affects the various species identified.

Monoclonal Crystal Research in Microgravity (MCRM) is a protein crystallization experiment by the American pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb. NASA astronauts will study the crystallization of monoclonal antibodies in space, with the aim of improving drug formulation and delivery for patients on Earth. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created proteins designed to interact with specific targets, called antigens. Monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer. [23]

Rodent Research-23 (RR-23), will study the effects of spaceflight on the eyes, specifically on the structure and function of the arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels that are needed to maintain vision.

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program: The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) has 27 experiments manifested as part of Mission 14A. [24]

The CRS-21 pressurized capsule carries a variety of other research including studies on how space conditions affect the interaction between microbes and minerals. [20]

Returning hardware

Beginning with returning capsules or lifting bodies under the CRS-2 contract, NASA reports major hardware (failed or expended hardware for diagnostic assessment, refurbishment, repair, or no longer needed) returning from the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS-21 mission ended on 14 January 2021 with re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and splash down near the western coast of Florida with 2,002 kg (4,414 lb) of return cargo. This cargo included: [16]

Treadmill Data Avionics Unit: Failed avionics unit that supports the treadmill, a critical item returning to the ground following the on-orbit replacement with a good spare.

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Air Selector Valve: Critical degraded valve returning for repair and refurbishment to support the carbon dioxide removal capability on-orbit.

Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) Tank: Depressurized tank capable of flying oxygen or nitrogen, and will be utilized for future on-orbit demand in 2021.

Rodent Research Habitats and Transporters: Live rodents from the Rodent Research-23 (RR-23) mission and used habitats and transporters that support future research missions and analysis.

Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) Electronics Unit: Failed cold stowage item requiring ground repair to enable future cold stowage missions.

Thermal Amine Bulk Water Save Valve: Failed valve that supports efficient usage of the Thermal Amine system returning to ground for repair, will help inform robustness of similar valve design on Orion capsule.

Undocking and return

Before the heading for re-entry, the automated cargo capsule undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on 12 January 2021 at 14:05 UTC. The undocking and splashdown completed the first cargo mission of SpaceX's Dragon 2 spacecraft. SpaceX recovery teams were on standby for the parachute-assisted splashdown on 14 January 2021 at 01:26 UTC in the Gulf of Mexico, at west of Tampa, Florida. The Dragon returned to Earth with 2,002 kg (4,414 lb) of cargo, according to NASA. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-1</span> 2012 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-1, also known as SpX-1, was SpaceX's first operational cargo mission to the International Space Station, under their Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-1) contract with NASA. It was the third flight for the uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft, and the fourth overall flight for the company's two-stage Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The launch occurred on 8 October 2012 at 00:34:07 UTC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cygnus Orb-1</span> 2014 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

Orbital-1, also known as Orb-1, was the second flight of the Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo spacecraft, its second flight to the International Space Station (ISS) and the third launch of the company's Antares launch vehicle. The mission launched on 9 January 2014 at 18:07:05 UTC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-4</span> 2014 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-4, also known as SpX-4, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS), contracted to NASA, which was launched on 21 September 2014 and arrived at the space station on 23 September 2014. It was the sixth flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft, and the fourth SpaceX operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract. The mission brought equipment and supplies to the space station, including the first 3D printer to be tested in space, a device to measure wind speed on Earth, and small satellites to be launched from the station. It also brought 20 mice for long-term research aboard the ISS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanoracks</span> Private space hardware and services company

Nanoracks LLC is a private in-space services company which builds space hardware and in-space repurposing tools. The company also facilitates experiments and launches of CubeSats to Low Earth Orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-6</span> 2015 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-6, also known as SpX-6, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station, contracted to NASA. It was the eighth flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the sixth SpaceX operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract. It was docked to the International Space Station from 17 April to 21 May 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-10</span> 2017 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-10, also known as SpX-10, was a Dragon Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which launched on 19 February 2017. The mission was contracted by NASA as part of its Commercial Resupply Services program and was launched by SpaceX aboard the 30th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket. The mission ended on 19 March 2017 when the Dragon spacecraft left the ISS and safely returned to Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-11</span> 2017 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-11, also known as SpX-11, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station, launched successfully on 3 June 2017. The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX. The mission utilized a Falcon 9 launch vehicle and was the first reuse of C106, a CRS Dragon cargo vessel that was previously flown on the CRS-4 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-12</span> 2017 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-12, also known as SpX-12, was a Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station launched on 14 August 2017. The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX using a new Dragon capsule. The Falcon 9 rocket's reusable first stage performed a controlled landing on Landing Zone 1 (LZ1) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. After delivering more than 2,900 kilograms (6,400 lb) of cargo, the Dragon spacecraft returned to Earth on 17 September 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-13</span> 2017 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-13, also known as SpX-13, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 15 December 2017. The mission was contracted by NASA and is flown by SpaceX. It was the second mission to successfully reuse a Dragon capsule, previously flown on CRS-6. The first stage of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket was the previously flown, "flight-proven" core from CRS-11. The first stage returned to land at Cape Canaveral's Landing Zone 1 after separation of the first and second stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-14</span> 2018 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-14, also known as SpX-14, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 2 April 2018. The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX. This mission reused the Falcon 9 first stage booster previously flown on CRS-12 and the Dragon capsule flown on CRS-8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-15</span> 2018 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-15, also known as SpX-15, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched 29 June 2018 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission was contracted by NASA and flown by SpaceX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cygnus OA-9E</span> 2018 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

OA-9E was the tenth flight of the Orbital ATK uncrewed resupply spacecraft Cygnus and its ninth flight to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Commercial Resupply Services with NASA. The mission launched on 21 May 2018 at 08:44:06 UTC. Orbital ATK and NASA jointly developed a new space transportation system to provide commercial cargo resupply services to the International Space Station. Under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, then Orbital Sciences designed and built Antares, a medium-class launch vehicle; Cygnus, an advanced maneuvering spacecraft, and a Pressurized Cargo Module which is provided by Orbital's industrial partner Thales Alenia Space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-16</span> 2018 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-16, also known as SpX-16, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 5 December 2018 aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The mission was contracted by NASA and is flown by SpaceX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-18</span> 2019 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-18, also known as SpX-18, was SpaceX's 18th flight to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services program for NASA. It was launched on 25 July 2019 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-19</span> 2019 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-19, also known as SpX-19, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station. The mission is contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX Dragon 1</span> Partially reusable cargo space capsule

Dragon, also known as Dragon 1 or Cargo Dragon, was a class of fourteen partially reusable cargo spacecraft developed by SpaceX, an American private space transportation company. The spacecraft flew 23 missions between 2010 and 2020. Dragon was launched into orbit by the company's Falcon 9 launch vehicle to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-22</span> 2021 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-22, also known as SpX-22, was a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that launched at 17:29:15 UTC on 3 June 2021. The mission is contracted by NASA and is flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon 2. This is the second flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-23</span> 2021 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-23, also known as SpX-23, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station, successfully launched on 29 August 2021 and docking the following day. The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX using the Cargo Dragon C208. This was the third flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016. It was the second mission for this reusable capsule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-24</span> 2021 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-24, also known as SpX-24, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 21 December 2021, at 10:07:08 UTC. The mission is contracted by NASA and is flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon. This is the fourth flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-28</span> 2023 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-28, also known as SpX-28, is a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS) launched on 5 June 2023. The mission was contracted by NASA and flown by SpaceX using Cargo Dragon C208. It was the eighth flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2.

References

  1. 1 2 Clark, Stephen (27 November 2020). "Launch Schedule: SpaceX CRS-21". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 @SpaceX (5 December 2020). "... poor weather in the recovery area for today's attempt" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "Teams Work Overnight to Return Time-Sensitive Cargo From Space". NASA. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  4. 1 2 Clark, Stephen (14 January 2021). "French wine, live rodents among 2 tons of cargo returned from space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Garcia, Mark (7 December 2020). "New SpaceX Cargo Dragon Docks to Station". NASA.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ↑ "Cargo Dragon Undocks from Station and Heads for Splashdown". NASA. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ↑ Ralph, Eric (9 June 2020). "SpaceX wins NASA approval to launch astronauts on reused rockets and spacecraft". teslarati.com. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "SpaceX CRS-21 Mission Overview" (Press release). ISS National Lab. 17 November 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ↑ Ralph, Eric. "Dragon 2 modifications to Carry Cargo for CRS-2 missions". Teslarati. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  10. 1 2 Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF). Office of Inspector General (Report). Vol. IG-18-016. NASA. 26 April 2018. pp. 24, 28–30. Retrieved 29 September 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ↑ Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  12. ↑ Gebhardt, Chris (20 June 2019). "Station Planning New Crew Launch Dates". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  13. ↑ Clark, Stephen (6 December 2020). "SpaceX launches first in new line of upgraded space station cargo ships". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  14. ↑ Clark, Stephen (12 January 2021). "Cargo Dragon heads for splashdown off Florida's west coast". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  15. ↑ Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  16. 1 2 "SpX-21 Mission Overview" (PDF). NASA. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  17. ↑ "ISS Research Program". Glenn Research Center. NASA. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ↑ "SpaceX Commercial Resupply". ISS Program Office. NASA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. ↑ "Nanoracks Bishop Airlock". Nanoracks. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  20. 1 2 Cawley, James (16 October 2020). "Next-Generation Airlock Prepped for SpaceX CRS-21 Launch". Kennedy Launch Services Program. NASA. Retrieved 19 October 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  21. ↑ Krebs, Gunter (11 February 2020). "Bishop". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  22. ↑ NEW AIRLOCK ATTACHED TO THE SPACE STATION , retrieved 27 May 2021
  23. ↑ CRS-21 Mission (YouTube Video). SpaceX. 6 December 2020.
  24. ↑ "SSEP Mission 14 to the International Space Station (ISS) | SSEP | Student Spaceflight Experiments Program".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.