SpaceX Launches Dragon, Lands Rocket at Cape Canaveral’s LZ1

Light trails from the launch and landing of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for NASA’s CRS-9 mission. Photo: SpaceX

[Via Satellite 07-18-2016] SpaceX completed the launch of a Dragon capsule July 18 for NASA as part of the Commercial Resupply Services 9 (CRS-9) mission, followed by a successful landing of the first stage at Landing Zone 1 (LZ1), Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida approximately eight minutes later. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, with support from fellow NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, are to grapple Dragon, which is transporting almost 5,000 pounds of cargo, and dock it to the International Space Station (ISS) at 7 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, July 20.

CRS-9 includes instruments to perform the first-ever DNA sequencing in space, and the first international docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. Dragon’s cargo is expected to support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations planned during the station’s Expeditions 48 and 49.

Dragon is scheduled to depart the space station Monday, Aug. 29. After splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, west of Baja California, more than 3,300 pounds of science, hardware, crew supplies and spacewalk tools will be returned to shore. CRS-9 marks the second time SpaceX has landed a rocket on land, and fourth successfully recovered booster overall.