CRS-29 Begins trip to the ISS

      On November 9 th at 8:28:14 pm EST, SpaceX successfully launched Dragon C211 on a path to the International Space Station. Under clear skies, the Falcon 9 rose skyward then headed northeast. Previous to this 29 th supply mission by SpaceX, the Dragon cargo and crew versions have had 42 launches, 38 ISS visits and 20 re-flights.

      B1081 served as the first stage on its second flight, powered by RP-1 and Liquid Oxygen. It previously supported Crew 7. Separation occurred 2:29 seconds later. As the second stage ignited its lone engine moments later, the first performed a flip maneuver then a boost-back burn. Grid fins and cold gas thrusters aligned the descending stage. Six minutes after launch, three engines ignited for the entry burn. This began to slow down the rocket as it lowered to Cape CSFS. Aligned with LZ-1, the landing burn allowed B1081 to gently touch down on the concrete pad.
        Moments later, a double sonic boom spread across the local area. The second stage burned for six minutes then shut down. Separation of the Cargo Dragon occurred three minutes later. The spent stage performs adjustments to line it up with entry and burn-up over the Pacific Ocean.

      On-board the Cargo Dragon are food and supplies, and several experiments. ILLUMA-T will test technology for enhanced space station data capabilities. NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) system, in geosynchronous orbit around Earth, receives high-resolution data from the ISS, which is beamed to ground stations in Hawaii and California. Along with LCRD, it will create NASA’s first two-way laser communications relay system, supplementing the radio frequency systems most space-based missions currently use to send data to and from Earth.

    NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) uses an infrared imaging instrument to measure the characteristics, distribution, and movement of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs), one mechanism for transporting energy and momentum within Earth’s climate system. They are relatively small at the source but amplified at altitudes. Long-term observations of AGW’s could improve understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and climate, as well as how they may influence space weather, which can affect communications, navigation, and tracking systems.

       Space Flight Induced Ovarian and Estrogen Signaling Dysfunction, Adaptation, and Recovery is a fundamental science investigation sponsored by NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division. It advances previous microgravity studies to better understand the combined effects of spaceflight, nutritional, and environmental stresses on control of ovulation and resulting effects on the skeleton.       

    Aquamembrane-3, an investigation from the European Space Agency, continues evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the space station with Aquaporin Inside Membranes. The technology incorporates proteins found in biological cells, known as aquaporins, to filter water faster while using less energy. Results may improve water reclamation on the ISS and a reduction of material launched to the space station.

       Gaucho Lung, sponsored by the ISS National Lab, will study how mucus lining the respiratory system affects delivery of drugs carried in a small amount of injected liquid. Conducting this research in microgravity makes it possible to isolate the factors involved, including capillary forces and gravity.
       The Cargo Dragon, on its second trip to space, will take approximately thirty-three hours to reach the ISS. Docking with Harmony zenith port is planned for 5:20 am Saturday November 1 th .After a month or so attached, the spacecraft will leave the ISS for a splashdown off the Florida coast.