Update at 9:10 p.m. EST (0210 UTC): The Falcon 9 rocket has successfully lifted off, with the Cargo Dragon separating as planned.
On this mission, a variety of items, including rodents, water filters, and a laser relay, totaling 6,500 pounds, will be sent to the ISS. The liftoff is scheduled for 8:28 p.m. EST (0128 UTC on Nov. 10) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking SpaceX’s ninth mission under the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS). Notably, the first 20 missions operated under the original resupply services contract.
Weather conditions leading up to the launch are exceptionally favorable, with the 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base forecasting a 95 percent favorable outlook at liftoff. A 24-hour backup opportunity at 8:05 p.m. EST (0105 UTC) is also deemed 90 percent favorable.
Following liftoff, the Falcon 9 will follow a northeast trajectory to rendezvous with the ISS. Approximately seven-and-a-half minutes later, the first stage booster, B1081, will make its second landing at Landing Zone 1 after its previous role in launching the Crew-7 mission to the ISS earlier this year.
The Cargo Dragon assigned to the CRS-29 mission, named C211, is one of three in SpaceX’s fleet, making its second flight after participating in the CRS-26 mission a year ago. This mission coincides with the 25th anniversary of the launch of Zarya, the first module of the ISS, designed by NASA but built and launched by Russia.
Dana Weigel, ISS Deputy Program Manager, reflected on the growth of the space station and international partnerships over the past 25 years, emphasizing the significant research achievements.
One of the mission’s highlights is a continuation of NASA’s exploration into optical communications. The ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Totem and Amplifier Terminal) equipment will collaborate with the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD). This equipment, sent up on a U.S. Department of Defense satellite in December 2021, operates in geostationary Earth orbit and facilitates data transmission from the ISS at 1.2 gigabits per second using laser links.
Upon docking with the ISS, the ILLUMA-T payload installation will be executed using robotic arms, eliminating the need for astronaut intervention during a spacewalk.
The mission is scheduled to last nominally six months, with the possibility of extension as technology is proven. In addition to NASA-led experiments, commercially-driven science is a key component, with 25 science payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory.
Redwire Space, in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company, is contributing the PIL-BOX-01 payload, conducting experiments related to diabetes and cardiovascular disease treatments. Redwire is also sending materials for a future bio-printing experiment by the Crew-8 mission, expected to launch no earlier than mid-February.
Another experiment from researchers at the University of California, San Diego, will study the impact of microgravity on stem-cell derived brain organoids, providing insights into accelerated aging processes in space.
