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NASA Sending Important Science to the Space Station

Tonight’s launch of NASA’s SpaceX 29th Commercial Resupply Services mission is set for 8:28 EST, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Our live broadcast is underway. You can watch on NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and on the agency’s website, or get live updates here on the blog.

The mission will carry scientific research, technology demonstrations, crew supplies, and hardware to the International Space Station to support its Expedition 70 crew, including NASA’s ILLUMA-T (Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) and AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment).

• Once installed on the station’s exterior, ILLUMA-T aims to test high data rate laser communications from the space station to Earth. The system uses invisible infrared light to send and receive information at higher data rates than traditional radio frequency systems. Working together, ILLUMA-T and the agency’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, currently in orbit around Earth, will complete NASA’s first two-way laser communications relay system.
• Also to be installed on the station’s exterior, AWE will use an infrared imaging instrument to measure the characteristics, distribution, and movement of atmospheric gravity waves, which roll through the Earth’s atmosphere when air is disturbed. Researchers also are looking at how these waves contribute to space weather, which affects space-based and ground-based communications, navigation, and tracking systems. Increased insight into atmospheric gravity waves could improve understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and climate and development of ways to mitigate the effects of space weather.

The spacecraft is expected to spend about one month attached to the orbiting laboratory before it returns to Earth with research and about 3,800 pounds of return cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.

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James Cawley

NASA Begins Live Launch Coverage from Florida’s Space Coast

Good evening and a hearty “hello” from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida! A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, stands ready for liftoff at historic Launch Complex 39A.

Today’s launch is the 29th commercial resupply services mission by SpaceX for NASA, delivering more than 6,500 pounds of supplies, equipment, and research to the International Space Station and its crew.

NASA’s live coverage of today’s launch airs now on NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and on the agency’s website.

Liftoff is scheduled for 8:28 p.m. EST, just under 30 minutes away, and weather is fully cooperating, as we are 100% “go” for launch. As with all commercial resupply services missions for NASA, today’s launch is a coordinated effort, with launch controllers here in Florida working closely with teams at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and SpaceX’s control center in Hawthorne, California.

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James Cawley

Foods Launching on NASA’s SpaceX CRS-29 Mission

Hey, it’s not all science, technology, and research. The crew aboard the International Space Station also has to eat! Here is a list of foods launching on NASA’s SpaceX 29th Commercial Resupply Services mission:

• 1 fresh food kit, which will include citrus, apples, cherry tomatoes, and other items
• 2 cheese cold stowage kits, including Parmesan, Romano, cheddar, Asiago, and Gruyere
• 1 holiday bulk overwrap bag, including holiday treats such as chocolate, pumpkin spice cappuccino, rice cake, mochi, turkey, duck, quail, seafood, and cranberry sauce
• 1 shelf stable food kit, including pizza kits, hummus, salsa, and olives
• 99 bulk overwrap bags of standard menu and crew preferences

If that made you hungry, you have just enough time to grab a quick snack and then tune in to the live broadcast on NASA Television, the NASA app, or the agency’s website, starting at 8 p.m. EST.

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James Cawley

NASA’s SpaceX CRS-29: Countdown and Ascent Milestones

Here’s a full look at the countdown and ascent milestones for tonight’s launch, targeted for 8:28 EST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All times are approximate:

COUNTDOWN 

Hr/Min/Sec     Event

– 00:38:00             SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load

– 00:35:00             RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins

– 00:35:00             1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins

– 00:16:00             2nd stage LOX loading begins

– 00:07:00             Falcon 9 begins pre-launch engine chill

– 00:05:00             Dragon transitions to internal power

– 00:01:00             Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks

– 00:01:00             Propellant tanks pressurize for flight

– 00:00:45             SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch

– 00:00:03             Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence start

– 00:00:00             Falcon 9 liftoff

  LAUNCH, LANDING, AND DRAGON DEPLOYMENT

Hr/Min/Sec     Event

-00:01:12       Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)

-00:02:17       1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)

-00:02:21       1st and 2nd stages separate

-00:02:28       2nd stage engine starts

-00:02:34       Boostback Burn Starts

-00:03:28       Boostback Burn Ends

-00:06:10       1st stage entry burn starts

-00:06:22       1st stage entry burn ends

-00:07:19       1st stage landing burn starts

-00:07:36       1st stage landing

-00:08:33       2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)

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James Cawley