Iffy weather conditions to improve Tuesday for SpaceX's ISS cargo resupply mission
---
Update: Launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon capsule at 8:30 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Station. The first-stage booster successfully landed on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean a short time later. An autonomous docking attempt for the Dragon capsule is now slated for 7:52 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 16. Read our full post-launch story here.
Update: Space Force weather forecasters said Monday night during a news conference that liftoff weather is trending more favorably and is expected to improve to an 80% chance of "go" conditions for Tuesday's scheduled liftoff of NASA's SpaceX CRS-27 mission at 8:30 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center.
Unfavorable weather conditions could pose problems Tuesday for SpaceX's next launch from Kennedy Space Center.
Set for liftoff at 8:30 p.m. EDT, a Falcon 9 rocket and uncrewed Dragon cargo capsule could contend with cloudy conditions and strong upper-level winds high above pad 39A. Space Force forecasters on Monday predicted a 50% chance of "go" conditions for SpaceX's 27th contracted cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, also known as CRS-27, for NASA.
"An upper-level disturbance moving across the Gulf of Mexico will bring enhanced mid and upper-level cloud cover Tuesday afternoon and evening," Space Launch Delta 45 forecasters said in a report on Monday. "This will pose a thick cloud layer rule concern for the primary launch window Tuesday."
Post-launch conditions, including upper-level winds, could be problematic for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster's somersault and return trip for an attempted landing aboard a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. After liftoff, Falcon 9 will fly a northeastern trajectory.
SpaceX has an instantaneous launch window Tuesday, meaning that Falcon 9 must liftoff exactly on time or delay to another day. If a delay is necessary, forecasters expect "favorable weather for the backup window Wednesday evening," with conditions predicted to improve to 95% "go" around the same time, pending approval from NASA and Space Launch Delta 45.
Splashdown:NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 returns to Earth after nearly six months aboard the ISS
The Dragon capsule is packed with science investigations and experiments and thousands of pounds of supplies and cargo for the international crew members living aboard the orbiting laboratory, including the four members of SpaceX's Crew-6 mission that arrived earlier this month.
One of the included investigations, aimed at testing 3D-printed components in space, is from L3Harris. It will test the capabilities of a 3D-printed radio circuit designed by the Melbourne-based aerospace and defense company. The components could be used to inform future in-space production of satellites to help make spacecraft manufacturing more efficient and affordable.
Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings
“We’re excited to test the 3D printed materials for six months and compare the new results with previous ISS experiments and ground tests,” Arthur Paolella, senior scientist and technical fellow with L3Harris, said in a press release.
If Dragon does launch as planned on Tuesday, it should meet up with the space station for an autonomous docking at 7:07 a.m. EDT Wednesday, March 15. It's expected to stay docked there for about a month before returning for splashdown.
Look for FLORIDA TODAY's live coverage of the CRS-27 mission to begin 90 minutes before liftoff at https://www.floridatoday.com/space/.
For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.
Jamie Groh is a space reporter for Florida Today. You can contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.
Launch Tuesday, March 14
Company / Agency: SpaceX for NASA
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
Location: Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center
Launch Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Trajectory: Northeast
Weather: 80% "go"
Landing: Drone ship
Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space
About: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch SpaceX’s 27th commercial resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Weather trending favorably for SpaceX's ISS cargo mission on Tuesday
