SpaceX CRS-25
CRS-25 mission approaching the ISS
NamesSpX-25
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorSpaceX
COSPAR ID2022-081A
SATCAT no.53113Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration36 days, 18 hours and 9 minutes
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCargo Dragon C208
Spacecraft typeCargo Dragon
BusSpaceX Dragon 2
ManufacturerSpaceX
Launch mass6,000kg (13,000 lb)
Dry mass9,525 kg (20,999 lb)
DimensionsHeight: 8.1 m (27 ft)
Diameter: 4 m (13 ft)
Start of mission
Launch date15 July 2022, 00:44:22 UTC[1]
RocketFalcon 9, B1067.5
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
End of mission
Recovered byMegan (ship)
Landing date20 August 2022, 18:53 UTC
Landing siteAtlantic Ocean
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking portHarmony forward
Docking date16 July 2022, 15:21 UTC
Undocking date19 August 2022, 15:05 UTC
Time docked33 days, 23 hours and 44 minutes

SpaceX CRS-25 mission patch
 

SpaceX CRS-25, also known as SpX-25, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission (CRS) to the International Space Station (ISS) that was launched on 15 July 2022. The mission was contracted by NASA and was flown by SpaceX using their reusable spacecraft, the Cargo Dragon. The vehicle delivered supplies to the crew aboard the ISS along with multiple pieces of equipment that will be used to conduct multiple research investigations aboard the ISS.

The launch of CRS-25 was delayed to July 11 to investigate issues in the Dragon's propulsion system detected during pre-launch testing. The previously scheduled launch date was June 10.

Mission overview

Objective

SpX-25 was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This flight was the 25th resupply flight of cargo sent to the International Space Station.

Timeline

SpX-25 was launched on July 15, 2022 [2](0:44 Universal Time) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.[3] Dragon arrived at ISS on July 16, 2022. The SpX-25 mission lasted 36 days, 18 hours and 9 minutes, coming down off the Florida coast on August 20, 2022.[4]

Delay

According to NASA,[5] elevated levels of monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) vapor were detected in the spacecraft's propulsion system, causing the launch mission to be delayed for repairs. The entire affected area of the spacecraft was removed and investigated before proceeding with the launch.

Cargo Dragon

The Cargo Dragon is a cargo spacecraft designed by SpaceX, and it is currently the only spacecraft capable of not only sending cargo into space but also returning cargo back to Earth.[6] It utilizes the Falcon 9 rocket as its launch vehicle which detaches from the Dragon once it reaches orbit. The Cargo Dragon launched with 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) of crew supplies, tools, and scientific equipment to support NASA and ISS research.[7]

Re-usability

This is the third flight of the particular Cargo Dragon unit[8] to space and SpaceX's 25th commercial resupply mission.[2] The Falcon 9 was used to launch SpX-25 into space and is also partially reusable. Various parts of the Falcon 9 are recoverable and relaunched for future supply missions. The Cargo Dragon spacecraft itself is preserved by the parachute-assisted splashdown technique[9] allowing boats to retrieve and reuse parts. Recycling parts of Cargo Dragon and Falcon 9 significantly minimizes the cost to launch crafts into space and optimizes resources for future missions.

Cargo details

SpX-25 hauled $118 million worth of resources[8] and about 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) of supplies.[3][6]

Research contributions

Four significant studies on board SpX-25 were delivered and researched at the ISS:

Earth's dust patterns

As part of the SpX-25 resupply mission, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) developed Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) in order to track the mineral composition of dust on the arid regions of Earth. Dust can have a cooling effect or heating effect depending on its mineral composition. EMIT is a 1-year investigation that will collect images to track and generate maps of dust patterns and provide insight into the local, regional, or global effects of dust as it travels through the atmosphere.[10]

Immune system aging

Immunosenescence is the dysfunction and change of the immune system of the elderly and it occurs as a natural part of the aging process. This process is linked to a higher propensity to infection, a higher risk of autoimmune disorders, and an increased risk of malignancies such as cancer.[11] The ISS is conducting research on how microgravity in space might negatively affect these processes to better understand immune system aging and develop treatments to protect astronauts from the possible of microgravity. Additionally, microgravity provides a medium to study immune system aging at an accelerated rate, making it a helpful tool to study immune system aging and find applications on Earth.[11]

CubeSats

CubeSats are a category of research spacecraft called nano-satellites. A CubeSat allows small satellite cargo to fly on rockets headed to space. CubeSats involve small experiments that can be small and inexpensive to build and launch. Their compact functionality broadens accessibility to spacial research and technology development to students, universities, and other related initiatives.[12]

Genes in space

This is one of many experiment launches sent to the ISS on board SpX-25. This study will observe the process of cell-free protein production in microgravity. This study is conducted without the use of living cells and is carried out by using biosensors to detect particular target molecules present in the cell. The success of this study would create low-resource, portable, and low-cost technology for medical applications.[2]

European Space Agency (ESA) research and activities [13]

  • ESA's BIOFILMS (Biofilm Inhibition On Flight equipment and on board the ISS using microbiologically Lethal Metal Surfaces) experiment investigating bacterial biofilm formation and antimicrobial properties of different metal surfaces under spaceflight conditions in altered gravity [14]

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Stephen (15 July 2022). "SpaceX launches 25th Dragon resupply mission to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Kanayama, Lee (14 July 2022). "SpaceX and NASA launch CRS-25 mission to the ISS". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 Garcia, Mark (19 August 2022). "Dragon Departs Station to Return Scientific Cargo to Earth". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "SpaceX". SpaceX. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  5. ↑ Garcia, Mark (6 June 2022). "Dragon Mission on Hold as Astronauts Conduct Eye Exams, Spacesuit Work". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 Kordina, Florian (14 July 2022). "Dragon CRS-2 SpX-25 | Falcon 9 Block 5". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  7. ↑ Kordina, Florian (14 July 2022). "Dragon CRS-2 SpX-25 | Falcon 9 Block 5". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 Clark, Stephen. "SpaceX launches 25th Dragon resupply mission to space station – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Guzman, Ana (16 August 2022). "SpaceX CRS-25 Dragon Returns with Scientific Hardware & Samples". NASA. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Soil, Sutures, and Climate Modeling Among Investigations Riding SpaceX CRS-25 Dragon to International Space Station". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  11. 1 2 Lian, Jingyao; Yue, Ying; Yu, Weina; Zhang, Yi (10 November 2020). "Immunosenescence: a key player in cancer development". Journal of Hematology & Oncology. 13 (1): 151. doi:10.1186/s13045-020-00986-z. ISSN 1756-8722. PMC 7653700. PMID 33168037.
  12. ↑ "CubeSats and SmallSats". NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "European Space Agency". www.esa.int. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "Film and cultures".
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