NASASocial SpaceX CRS-6 Mission Coverage April 12-14, 2015
SpaceX CRS-6 - Cape Canaveral Florida, Kennedy Space Center. #NASASocial
The CRS-6 mission was the sixth operational cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by SpaceX as part of a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. The mission launched on April 14, 2015, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40.
The launch timeline experienced some delays due to weather and technical issues. The launch was initially scheduled for April 8, but it was postponed due to high winds in the recovery area. The launch was then rescheduled for April 14, but it was delayed for several hours due to a helium leak in the rocket's second stage.
Finally, at 4:10 pm EDT, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the launchpad. The first stage of the rocket successfully separated and began its descent back to Earth, while the second stage continued on its trajectory towards the ISS.
SpaceX attempted to land the first stage on their autonomous spaceport drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY), which was positioned in the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, the first stage missed the drone ship and crashed into the ocean.
Despite the failed landing, the mission was a success, with the Dragon spacecraft successfully delivering more than 4,300 pounds of supplies and payloads to the ISS. The payloads included experiments, supplies, and equipment for the crew aboard the ISS, including the first 3D printer in space.
Overall, the CRS-6 mission was a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make space travel more accessible and cost-effective, while also supporting NASA's mission to conduct scientific research and exploration in space.
CRS-6 mission included several mission milestones and firsts:
1. First time SpaceX attempted to land the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket on their autonomous spaceport drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY). Although the landing was not successful, it marked an important step in SpaceX's efforts to develop reusable rockets and reduce the cost of spaceflight.
2. The Dragon spacecraft carried several important payloads and experiments to the International Space Station (ISS), including the first 3D printer in space. The printer was designed to test the feasibility of manufacturing tools and replacement parts in space using 3D printing technology.
3. The CRS-6 mission also marked the first time that SpaceX used a new and improved version of the Falcon 9 rocket. This version, known as the Falcon 9 v1.1 Full Thrust, had increased engine thrust and improved landing capabilities compared to previous versions of the rocket.
4. The CRS-6 mission was also the first time that SpaceX used their upgraded Dragon spacecraft, which included new landing legs and a heat shield to support the company's efforts to recover and reuse the spacecraft.
5. Overall, the CRS-6 mission was a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make space travel more accessible and cost-effective, while also supporting NASA's mission to conduct scientific research and exploration in space.
SpaceX CRS-6 is the sixth of at least 12 missions to the International Space Station that SpaceX will fly for NASA under
the CRS contract. In December 2008, NASA announced that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft had
been selected to resupply the space station after the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. Under the CRS contract,
SpaceX has restored an American capability to deliver and return significant amounts of cargo, including live plants and
animals, to and from the orbiting laboratory.
Read MoreThe CRS-6 mission was the sixth operational cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by SpaceX as part of a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. The mission launched on April 14, 2015, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40.
The launch timeline experienced some delays due to weather and technical issues. The launch was initially scheduled for April 8, but it was postponed due to high winds in the recovery area. The launch was then rescheduled for April 14, but it was delayed for several hours due to a helium leak in the rocket's second stage.
Finally, at 4:10 pm EDT, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the launchpad. The first stage of the rocket successfully separated and began its descent back to Earth, while the second stage continued on its trajectory towards the ISS.
SpaceX attempted to land the first stage on their autonomous spaceport drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY), which was positioned in the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, the first stage missed the drone ship and crashed into the ocean.
Despite the failed landing, the mission was a success, with the Dragon spacecraft successfully delivering more than 4,300 pounds of supplies and payloads to the ISS. The payloads included experiments, supplies, and equipment for the crew aboard the ISS, including the first 3D printer in space.
Overall, the CRS-6 mission was a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make space travel more accessible and cost-effective, while also supporting NASA's mission to conduct scientific research and exploration in space.
CRS-6 mission included several mission milestones and firsts:
1. First time SpaceX attempted to land the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket on their autonomous spaceport drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY). Although the landing was not successful, it marked an important step in SpaceX's efforts to develop reusable rockets and reduce the cost of spaceflight.
2. The Dragon spacecraft carried several important payloads and experiments to the International Space Station (ISS), including the first 3D printer in space. The printer was designed to test the feasibility of manufacturing tools and replacement parts in space using 3D printing technology.
3. The CRS-6 mission also marked the first time that SpaceX used a new and improved version of the Falcon 9 rocket. This version, known as the Falcon 9 v1.1 Full Thrust, had increased engine thrust and improved landing capabilities compared to previous versions of the rocket.
4. The CRS-6 mission was also the first time that SpaceX used their upgraded Dragon spacecraft, which included new landing legs and a heat shield to support the company's efforts to recover and reuse the spacecraft.
5. Overall, the CRS-6 mission was a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to make space travel more accessible and cost-effective, while also supporting NASA's mission to conduct scientific research and exploration in space.
SpaceX CRS-6 is the sixth of at least 12 missions to the International Space Station that SpaceX will fly for NASA under
the CRS contract. In December 2008, NASA announced that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft had
been selected to resupply the space station after the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. Under the CRS contract,
SpaceX has restored an American capability to deliver and return significant amounts of cargo, including live plants and
animals, to and from the orbiting laboratory.
