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SpaceX has launched CRS-14 to the International Space Station (ISS) using a flight-proven Falcon 9 booster and Dragon capsule. This is the second time that both a flight-proven F9 (from CRS-12) and Dragon (from CRS-8) have been used.
The mission is carrying RemoveDebris, which will test technologies for removing space debris (simulated using two CubeSats) from orbit using a harpoon, net, and dragsail.
The Atmosphere-Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM) is a European Space Agency project to add cameras and sensors to the ISS that will search the upper atmosphere for phenomena such as sprites, jets, and elves, and gamma-ray flashes caused by thunderstorms.
NASA, Tupperware Brands, and Techshot Inc. developed an upgraded system for growing plants in the ISS's "Veggie" facility. The semi-hydroponic Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (PONDS) will ensure that plants (red romaine lettuce, and Mizuna) get just the amount of water that they need. The system is expected to grow tomatoes and peppers in the future.
Material International Space Station Experiments (MISSE) will allow materials experiments to be placed on the outside of the space station, exposed to radiation, temperature swings, and the vacuum of space, serviceable by a robotic arm.
(Score: 2) by bzipitidoo on Tuesday April 03 2018, @07:48AM (1 child)
That ISS costs a lot of money for the value it returns. NASA wanted to end it years ago. But, the politicians insisted on keeping it. They whine about the cost of the James Webb, but they're okay with 10x that for the ISS.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday April 03 2018, @07:57AM
But now that it's up there, they might as well use it up until it gets deorbited, split apart into new stations, or put under corporate control. Commercial Resupply Services are cheaper than Shuttle flights were.
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