SpaceX CRS-24
CRS-24 mission docked to ISS
NamesSpX-24
Mission typeISS Resupply
OperatorSpaceX
COSPAR ID2021-127A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.50318
Websitehttps://www.spacex.com/
Mission duration34 days, 10 hours and 57 minutes (achieved)
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
Recovered byGO Searcher
Landing date24 January 2022, 21:05 UTC[2]
Landing siteGulf of Mexico
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
Undocking date23 January 2022, 15:40 UTC
Time docked32 days, 6 hours and 59 minutes (achieved)
Cargo
Mass2,989 kg (6,590 lb)
Pressurised2,081 kg (4,588 lb)
Unpressurised908 kg (2,002 lb)

SpaceX CRS-24 mission patch  

SpaceX CRS-24, also known as SpX-24, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched on 21 December 2021, at 10:07:08 UTC.[3][4] 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.[5]

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.[6][7][8] The new Cargo Dragon capsules under the NASA CRS Phase 2 contract will land east of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean.[6][8]

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.[9] (This effectively determined C209'a turnaround time, which broke the shortness record for reusable orbital spacecraft, at 164.3 days.)[10] Two educational microcontrollers (Astro Pi[11] and Calliope mini[12]) 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.[5]

ANITA-2

ANITA-2 is a trace gas monitoring system developed by OHB and SINTEF under contract of ESA.[13]

STP-H7

A technology demonstration mission which consists of the following payloads:[14]

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:[5]


European Space Agency (ESA) research and activities:


Rodent Research-18 Astronauts can experience eye problems after returning from space, along with headaches and blurred vision. Rodent Research-18 investigates how spaceflight affects visual function, examining changes in the vascular system of the retina and the ways specific cells interact. A better understanding of the process and biological mechanisms behind these effects could support development of more effective countermeasures. This mission will specifically test metalloporphyrin, an antioxidant that may protect against the irreversible oxidative damage observed in eye structure and function during and after spaceflight. This investigation could also lead to new therapies for neurovascular-related eye diseases and retinal degeneration in people on Earth.

ISS hardware

The following ISS hardware is launched on SpaceX CRS-24:[5]

Launch:

Return:

CubeSats

Five CubeSats were planned for deployment on this mission and on 26 January 2022 the Japanese Remote Manipulator System RMS arm extracted Nanoracks NRCSD-22 from the Kibō airlock; NRCSD-22 then ejected five cubesats (ELaNa 38):

Return

One of the four parachutes' deployment lagged behind the others. The same issue was observed during SpaceX Crew-2.[18]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Live coverage: SpaceX hoping weather cooperates for predawn launch in Florida". Spaceflight Now. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. ^ Garcia, Mark (24 January 2022). "Cargo Dragon Splashes Down Ending SpaceX CRS-24 Mission". NASA. Retrieved 25 January 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Clark, Stephen (31 March 2021). "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF). NASA Office of Inspector General (Report). Vol. 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.
  7. ^ "Dragon 2 modifications to Carry Cargo for CRS-2 missions". Teslarati. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Sesnic, Trevor (28 December 2021). "SpaceX continues to break reuse records and reach new milestones in 2021". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  11. ^ "We are sending Raspberry Pi computers to space for the European Astro Pi Challenge". 13 September 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ^ a b "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. ^ 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. 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems. Lisbon, Portugal. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022.
  14. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. “STP-H7”. Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved March 03, 2022, from https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/stp-h7.htm
  15. ^ "ESA Television - Videos - 2020 - 12 - Thomas Pesquet Alpha mission training - Cytoskeleton for Alpha with Thomas Pesquet".
  16. ^ "Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control Satellite". usu.edu. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  17. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  18. ^ Foust, Jeff (2 February 2022). "NASA and SpaceX investigating delayed Dragon parachute opening". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2 February 2022.