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 ofFlorida in theAtlantic Ocean.[6][8]
NASA contracted for the CRS-24 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date of launch, andorbital parameters for theCargo 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] andCalliope 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, andChristmas presents up to the ISS and the crew of Expedition 66.[5]
The following research experiments will fly on SpaceX CRS-24:[5]
BioPrint FirstAid - Bioprinting uses viable cells and biological molecules to print tissue structures.
CASIS PCG 20 - Improving delivery of cancer drugsmonoclonal antibodies, used to treat a wide range of human diseases, do not dissolve easily in liquid and so typically must be given intravenously in a clinic setting. CASIS PCG 20 continues work on crystallizing a monoclonal antibody developed byMerck Research Laboratories,pembrolizumab. It is the active ingredient in Keytruda®, a drug that targets multiple cancers. Scientists analyze these crystals to learn more about the structure and behavior of the component to create drug formulations that can be administered at a doctor's office or even at home.
Host-Pathogen - Scientists have observed that spaceflight sometimes increases the virulence of potentially harmful microbes and reduces human immune function, increasing the risk for infectious disease. Results could help assess the potential risk infectious microbes may pose and may support countermeasures' development. This could improve care for those with compromised immune systems on Earth.
Multi-Variable Platform (MVP) Plant-01 - Multi Variable Platform (MVP) Plant-01 profiles and monitors the development of the shoots and roots of plants inmicrogravity. Plants could serve as a vital part of human life support systems for long-duration spaceflight and habitation of the Moon and Mars. But spacegrown plants experience stress from various factors, and recent studies indicate changes in plant gene expression in response to those stressors. Improved understanding of these changes could enable the design of plants that are better suited for growth in spaceflight environments.
Procter & Gamble (P&G) Telescience Investigation of Detergent Experiments (PGTIDE) - Astronauts on the Space Station wear an item of clothing several times, then replace it with new clothes delivered on resupply missions. Limited cargo capacity makes this a challenge, and resupply is not an option for longer missions such as to the Moon and Mars. In a collaboration with NASA, Procter & Gamble has developed Tide Infinity, a fully degradable detergent specifically for use in space. Once proven in space, Tide plans to use the new cleaning methods and detergent to advance sustainable, low-resource-use laundry solutions on Earth.
Turbine Superalloy Casting Module (SCM) - Turbine Superalloy Casting Module (SCM) tests a commercial manufacturing device that processes heat-resistant alloy parts in microgravity. Alloys are materials made up of at least two different chemical elements, one of which is a metal.
Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS) - Students enrolled in institutions of higher learning can design and build microgravity experiments as part of NASA's Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS). As part of their experiment, selected teams involve students in grades K through 12 as citizen scientists. Citizen science allows individuals who are not professional scientists to contribute to real-world research. The NASASTEM on Station project is funding experiments flying on this SpaceX resupply mission, including a study on antibiotic resistance in microgravity fromColumbia University and one on how microgravity affects bacteria-resistantpolymers from theUniversity of Idaho.
European Space Agency (ESA) research and activities:
ESA'sCytoskeleton experiment, a biological study, aimed at determining the changing function of RhoGTPases when in vitro cell cultures are exposed to weightlessness. The Cytoskeleton experiment will learn about the events that are happening inside a mammalian cell when exposed to weightlessness.[[15]]
Rodent Research-18Astronauts 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.
The following ISS hardware is launched on SpaceX CRS-24:[5]
Launch:
Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR) - This instrument will launch in the trunk of Dragon and measure the direction and speed of winds at the ocean surface.
Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems (TEMPEST) - This instrument will launch in the trunk of Dragon and will investigate atmospheric humidity.
Hydrogen Sensor - Critical environmental control and life support system hardware that monitors for the presence of excess hydrogen in generated oxygen, which helps inform NASA of warnings signs with the oxygen generator system's cell stack.
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Knowledge Reaper Asset in a Kinetic Network (KRAKN) Electronics Box - This electronics box will upgrade the advanced resistive exercise device's legacy instrumentation box and will be utilized on-orbit by the crew members to support their exercise needs.
Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) Type V Internal - Planned to replace a degraded unit currently installed, this RPCM Type V Internal supports the overall Electronic Power System by distributing power capabilities across the ISS.
Fridge- Following a failure of an on-orbit Fridge unit, this spare Fridge will provide the required cold stowage facility capability on-orbit to support multiple investigations during Expeditions 66 and67.
EXPRESS Flowmeters - These critical spares measure the flow rates and provide a signal to command corresponding control valves for the EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) racks on-orbit, providing necessary capabilities to payload investigations.
Rodent Research Hardware - Rodents, habitats, transporters, and support hardware required for the rodent-specific research mission during the SpX-24 duration.
Return:
Hydrogen Dome - As one of the critical components of the Oxygen Generation System (OGS), this Hydrogen Dome unit was removed and replaced in October 2021 following a period of observed end of life characteristics. This unit is returning for test, teardown, and evaluation and refurbishment to support future demand on-orbit.
Urine Processing Assembly Distillation Assembly - Critical environmental control and life support system orbital replacement unit used for urine distillation and processing on orbit. This hardware is returning for evaluation and refurbishment to support future spares demand and future on-orbit exploration objectives.
Avionics Air Assembly Fan - With plans to return to ground for TT&E and refurbishment, this critical high-speed fan was previously installed in the Node 3 Water Process Assembly (WPA) rack.
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer - Hardware designed to assess thetotal organic carbon levels in recovered water on board the ISS. This unit is returning to the ground for refurbishment after seven years of continuous operations.
CO2/Relative Humidity Sample Containers - Upgraded shuttle-era grab sample container technology that has been modified to collect payload samples and support critical exploration development objectives with thermal amine and four-bedcarbon dioxide removal technology demonstrations.
Rodent Research Transporters - Transporters returning following their usage to support the rodent investigation during the SpaceX CRS-24 mission duration. These refurbished transporters will support near-term demand for upcoming rodent missions.
^"Microgravity Research Flights".Glenn Research Center. NASA. 22 April 2020. Retrieved27 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
^Clark, Stephen (31 March 2021)."Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved9 April 2021.
^"SpaceX Commercial Resupply".ISS Program Office. NASA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved27 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
