NEW YORK: The US space agency on Wednesday successfully launched SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft that is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) with two tonnes of supplies, research and technology — and the first “ISSpresso” coffee machine.
On April 17, the Dragon spacecraft will catch up to the ISS where the crew will capture it with the robotic arm.
The new research will help prepare NASA astronauts and robotic explorers for future missions to Mars, NASA said in a statement.
The spacecraft was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
“Five years ago this week, US President Barack Obama toured the same SpaceX launch pad used today to send supplies, research and technology development to the ISS,” said NASA administrator Charles Bolden.
Back then, SpaceX had not even made its first orbital flight.
“Today, it is making regular flights to the space station and is one of two American companies, along with the Boeing, that will return the ability to launch NASA astronauts to the ISS from the US soil and land then back in the country,” Bolden added.
The mission is the company’s sixth cargo delivery flight to the station through NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.
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