SpaceX CRS-26

SpaceX CRS-26, also known as SpX-26, is a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS) scheduled to be launched in October 2022.[1] The mission is contracted by NASA and will be flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon. This will be the sixth flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016.

SpaceX CRS-26
NamesSpX-26
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCargo Dragon
ManufacturerSpaceX
Dry mass9,525 kg (20,999 lb)
DimensionsHeight: 8.1 m (27 ft)
Diameter: 4 m (13 ft)
Start of mission
Launch dateOctober 2022 (planned)[1]
RocketFalcon 9
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking portHarmony
RMS capture2022
Docking date2022
 

Cargo Dragon
Main article: SpaceX Dragon 2

SpaceX plans to reuse the Cargo Dragons up to five times. The Cargo Dragon will launch without SuperDraco abort engines, without seats, cockpit controls and the life support system required to sustain astronauts in space.[2][3] Dragon 2 improves on Dragon 1 in several ways, including lessened refurbishment time, leading to shorter periods between flights.[4]

The new Cargo Dragon capsules under the NASA CRS Phase 2 contract will land east of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean.[2][5]

Payload

NASA contracted for the CRS-26 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date of launch, and orbital parameters for the Cargo Dragon.[6]

ISS Roll Out Solar Arrays (iROSA)

See also: Roll Out Solar Array

Third pair of new solar arrays using XTJ Prime space solar cells. They will be delivered to the station in the unpressurized trunk of the SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft.[7]

The installation of these new solar arrays will require two spacewalks: one to prepare the worksite with a modification kit and another to install the new panel.[8]

Research

The new experiments arriving at the orbiting laboratory will inspire future scientists and explorers, and provide valuable insight for researchers.

NASA Glenn Research Center studies:[9]

Cubesats

CubeSats planned for this mission:[10]

See also

References
  1. "Microgravity Research Flights". Glenn Research Center. NASA. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Office of Inspector General (26 April 2018). Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF) (Report). Vol. IG-18-016. NASA. pp. 24, 28–30. Retrieved 4 April 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "Dragon 2 modifications to Carry Cargo for CRS-2 missions". Teslarati. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  4. Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  5. Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  6. "SpaceX Commercial Resupply". ISS Program Office. NASA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "Current and Future Operations and Challenges with International Space Station" (PDF). ISS Program Office. NASA. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  8. Clark, Stephen (13 January 2021). "Boeing says assembly complete on first set of new space station solar arrays". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  9. "ISS Research Program". Glenn Research Center. NASA. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. "Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches". NASA. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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