SpaceX CRS-24

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SpaceX CRS-24
CRS-24 vertical.jpg
CRS-24 on LC-39A ahead of launch
NamesSpX-24
Mission typeISS Resupply
OperatorSpaceX
COSPAR ID2021-127A
SATCAT no.50318
Websitehttps://www.spacex.com/
Mission duration30 days (planned)
9 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCargo Dragon C209
Spacecraft typeCargo Dragon
BusSpaceX Dragon 2
ManufacturerSpaceX
Launch mass6,000 kg (13,000 lb)
Payload mass2,989 kg (6,590 lb)
Dimensions8.1 m (27 ft) (height)
4 m (13 ft) (diameter)
Start of mission
Launch date21 December 2021, 10:07:08 UTC [1]
RocketFalcon 9, B1069.1
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
End of mission
Landing siteAtlantic Ocean
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with International Space Station
Docking portHarmony zenith
Docking date22 December 2021, 08:41 UTC
Time docked8 days (in progress)
Cargo
Mass2,989 kg (6,590 lb)
Pressurised2,081 kg (4,588 lb)
Unpressurised908 kg (2,002 lb)
SpaceX CRS-24 Patch.png
SpaceX CRS-24 mission patch
Commercial Resupply Services
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Cygnus NG-17 →
 
Cargo Dragon flights

SpaceX CRS-24, also known as SpX-24, is a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 21 December 2021, at 10:07:08 UTC.[2][3] 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.[4]

Cargo Dragon[]

SpaceX plans to reuse the Cargo Dragons up to five times. The Cargo Dragon is launched without SuperDraco abort engines, without seats, cockpit controls and the life support system required to sustain astronauts in space.[5][6] This newer design provides several benefits, including a faster process to recover, refurbish and re-fly versus the earlier Dragon CRS design used for ISS cargo missions.[7]

The new Cargo Dragon capsules under the NASA CRS Phase 2 contract will splash down under parachutes in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida, rather than the previous recovery zone in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California.[5][7]

Payload[]

NASA contracted for the CRS-24 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date of launch, and orbital parameters for the Cargo Dragon C209.[8] Two educational microcontrollers ([9] and Calliope mini[10]) are also being delivered as part of the payload of this mission.

SpaceX CRS-24 carries over 2,989 kg (6,590 lb) of science experiments, instruments, supplies, hardware, and Christmas presents up to the ISS and the crew of Expedition 66.[4]

  • Crew supplies: 386 kg (851 lb)
  • Science investigations: 1,119 kg (2,467 lb)
  • Spacewalk equipment: 182 kg (401 lb)
  • Vehicle hardware: 328 kg (723 lb)
  • Computer resources: 33 kg (73 lb)

ANITA-2[]

A trace gas monitoring system developed by OHB and SINTEF under contract of ESA.[11]

STP-H8[]

A technology demonstration mission which consists of the microwave radiometers COWVR and TEMPEST.[12]

Research experiments[]

The following research experiments will fly on SpaceX CRS-24:[4]

  • BioPrint FirstAid - Bioprinting uses viable cells and biological molecules to print tissue structures. DLR (German Aerospace Agency) study Bioprint FirstAid demonstrates a portable, handheld bioprinter that uses a patient's own skin cells to create a tissue-forming patch to cover a wound and accelerate the healing process. On future missions to the Moon and Mars, bioprinting such customized patches could help address changes in wound healing that can occur in space and complicate treatment. Personalized healing patches also have potential benefits on Earth, providing safer and more flexible treatment anywhere needed.
  • CASIS PCG 20 - Improving delivery of cancer drugs monoclonal antibodies, used to treat a wide range of human diseases, do not dissolve easily in liquid and so typically must be given intravenously in a clinic setting. CASIS PCG 20 continues work on crystallizing a monoclonal antibody developed by Merck Research Laboratories, pembrolizumab. It is the active ingredient in Keytruda®, a drug that targets multiple cancers. Scientists analyze these crystals to learn more about the structure and behavior of the component to create drug formulations that can be administered at a doctor's office or even at home.
  • Host-Pathogen - Scientists have observed that spaceflight sometimes increases the virulence of potentially harmful microbes and reduces human immune function, increasing the risk for infectious disease. Host-Pathogen assesses space-induced changes in immune status by culturing cells collected from crew members before, during, and after spaceflight with both "normal" bacteria and bacteria grown under simulated spaceflight conditions. Results could help assess the potential risk infectious microbes may pose and may support countermeasures' development. This could improve care for those with compromised immune systems on Earth.
  • Multi-Variable Platform (MVP) Plant-01 - Multi Variable Platform (MVP) Plant-01 profiles and monitors the development of the shoots and roots of plants in microgravity. Plants could serve as a vital part of human life support systems for long-duration spaceflight and habitation of the Moon and Mars. But spacegrown plants experience stress from various factors, and recent studies indicate changes in plant gene expression in response to those stressors. Improved understanding of these changes could enable the design of plants that are better suited for growth in spaceflight environments.
  • Procter & Gamble (P&G) Telescience Investigation of Detergent Experiments (PGTIDE) - Astronauts on the Space Station wear an item of clothing several times, then replace it with new clothes delivered on resupply missions. Limited cargo capacity makes this a challenge, and resupply is not an option for longer missions such as to the Moon and Mars. In a collaboration with NASA, Proctor & Gamble has developed Tide Infinity, a fully degradable detergent specifically for use in space, and the P&G Telescience Investigation of Detergent Experiments (PGTIDE) study the performance of its stain removal ingredients and the formulation's stability in microgravity. Once proven in space, Tide plans to use the new cleaning methods and detergent to advance sustainable, low-resource-use laundry solutions on Earth.
  • Turbine Superalloy Casting Module (SCM) - Turbine Superalloy Casting Module (SCM) tests a commercial manufacturing device that processes heat-resistant alloy parts in microgravity. Alloys are materials made up of at least two different chemical elements, one of which is a metal. Researchers expect more uniform microstructures and improved mechanical properties in superalloy parts processed in microgravity versus those processed on Earth. These superior materials could improve the performance of turbine engines in industries such as aerospace and power generation on Earth.
  • Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS) - Students enrolled in institutions of higher learning can design and build microgravity experiments as part of NASA's Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS). As part of their experiment, selected teams involve students in grades K through 12 as citizen scientists. Citizen science allows individuals who are not professional scientists to contribute to real-world research. The NASA STEM on Station project is funding experiments flying on this SpaceX resupply mission, including a study on antibiotic resistance in microgravity from Columbia University and one on how microgravity affects bacteria-resistant polymers from the University of Idaho.

ISS hardware[]

The following ISS hardware is launched on SpaceX CRS-24:[4]

Launch:

  • Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR) - This instrument will launch in the trunk of Dragon and measure the direction and speed of winds at the ocean surface.
  • Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems (TEMPEST) - This instrument will launch in the trunk of Dragon and will investigate atmospheric humidity.
  • Hydrogen Sensor - Critical environmental control and life support system hardware that monitors for the presence of excess hydrogen in generated oxygen, which helps inform NASA of warnings signs with the oxygen generator system's cell stack.
  • Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Knowledge Reaper Asset in a Kinetic Network (KRAKN) Electronics Box - This electronics box will upgrade the advanced resistive exercise device’s legacy instrumentation box and will be utilized on-orbit by the crew members to support their exercise needs.
  • Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) Type V Internal - Planned to replace a degraded unit currently installed, this RPCM Type V Internal supports the overall Electronic Power System by distributing power capabilities across the ISS.
  • Fridge - Following a failure of an on-orbit Fridge unit, this spare Fridge will provide the required cold stowage facility capability on-orbit to support multiple investigations during Expeditions 66 and 67.
  • EXPRESS Flowmeters - These critical spares measure the flow rates and provide a signal to command corresponding control valves for the EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) racks on-orbit, providing necessary capabilities to payload investigations.
  • Rodent Research Hardware - Rodents, habitats, transporters, and support hardware required for the rodent-specific research mission during the SpX-24 duration.

Return:

  • Hydrogen Dome - As one of the critical components of the Oxygen Generation System (OGS), this Hydrogen Dome unit was removed and replaced in October 2021 following a period of observed end of life characteristics. This unit is returning for test, teardown, and evaluation and refurbishment to support future demand on-orbit.
  • Urine Processing Assembly Distillation Assembly - Critical environmental control and life support system orbital replacement unit used for urine distillation and processing on orbit. This hardware is returning for evaluation and refurbishment to support future spares demand and future on-orbit exploration objectives.
  • Avionics Air Assembly Fan - With plans to return to ground for TT&E and refurbishment, this critical high-speed fan was previously installed in the Node 3 Water Process Assembly (WPA) rack.
  • Total Organic Carbon Analyzer - Hardware designed to assess the total organic carbon levels in recovered water on-board the ISS. This unit is returning to the ground for refurbishment after seven years of continuous operations.
  • CO2/Relative Humidity Sample Containers - Upgraded shuttle-era grab sample container technology that has been modified to collect payload samples and support critical exploration development objectives with thermal amine and four-bed carbon dioxide removal technology demonstrations.
  • Rodent Research Transporters - Transporters returning following their usage to support the rodent investigation during the SpaceX CRS-24 mission duration. These refurbished transporters will support near-term demand for upcoming rodent missions.

CubeSats[]

Four CubeSats planned for deployment on this mission:

  • DAILI (Daily Atmospheric and Ionospheric Limb Imager) - The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California
  • GASPACS (Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control Satellite) - Utah State University, Logan, Utah[13]
  • PATCOOL (Passive Thermal Coating Observatory Operating in Low-Earth Orbit) - NASA, Kennedy Space Center, Florida and the University of Florida
  • TARGIT (Tethering and Ranging mission of the Georgia Institute of Technology) - Atlanta, Georgia[14]

See also[]

  • Uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station

References[]

  1. ^ "Live coverage: SpaceX hoping weather cooperates for predawn launch in Florida". Spaceflight Now. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Microgravity Research Flights". Glenn Research Center. NASA. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Clark, Stephen (31 March 2021). "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "SpaceX CRS-24 Mission Overview". NASA. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF). NASA Office of Inspector General (Report). IG-18-016. NASA. 26 April 2018. p. 24. Retrieved 29 September 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Dragon 2 modifications to Carry Cargo for CRS-2 missions". Teslarati. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  8. ^ "SpaceX Commercial Resupply". ISS Program Office. NASA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "We are sending Raspberry Pi computers to space for the European Astro Pi Challenge". 13 September 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Small but Mighty NASA Weather Instruments Prepare for Launch". 3 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ Gisi, Michael; Pfeiffer, Lukas; Stettner, Armin; Seurig, Roland; Wahle, Markus; Honne, Atle; Kaspersen, Kristin; Bakke, Kari; Thielemann, Jens; Liverud, Anders Erik; Witt, Johannes; Rebeyre, Pierre; Hovland, Scott; Laurini, Daniele; Stuffler, Timo (12 July 2021). "ANITA2 Trace Gas Analyser for the ISS - Flight Model Finalisation, Ground Test Results, and ANITA-X for future exploration missions". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ "Small but Mighty NASA Weather Instruments Prepare for Launch". 3 November 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ "Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control Satellite". usu.edu. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  14. ^ "The Tethering and Ranging mission of the Georgia Institute of Technology (TARGIT)". ssdl.gatech.edu. Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Lab | Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved 15 November 2021.

External links[]

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