SpaceX CRS-20

SpaceX CRS-20

Mission Details:

• Mission Name: SpaceX CRS-20

• Spacecraft: Dragon 2 Cargo

• Mission Type: Cargo Resupply

• Launch Date: March 7, 2020

• Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, FL

• Rocket Type: Falcon 9 Block 5

• Mission Duration: Approximately 30 days

• End Date: April 7, 2020

• Primary Objective: Deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS)

Key Events:

• Launch Date: March 7, 2020
  
  

  • SpaceX launched CRS-20 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center.

• Arrival at ISS: March 9, 2020
  
  

  • The Dragon capsule successfully docked with the ISS.

• Cargo Delivered:
  
  

  • Scientific experiments

  • Cargo for the crew aboard the ISS

  • Hardware and tools for the station

• Un-docking from ISS: April 7, 2020
  
  

  • Dragon 2 Cargo un-docked from the ISS, completing the resupply mission.

• Re-entry and Splashdown: April 7, 2020
  
  

  • The spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean.

Mission Highlights:

• First Dragon 2 Cargo Mission: CRS-20 was the first operational cargo resupply mission using the Dragon 2 spacecraft, which is designed to carry both crew and cargo.
  
  

• Cargo and Science: CRS-20 carried 2,500 kg of cargo, including experiments for the ISS crew and parts for station maintenance.
  
  

• Successful Launch and Recovery: This mission was the 20th resupply mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. SpaceX demonstrated its continued success with its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon 2 capsule.
  
  

Cargo List:

• Scientific Cargo:
  
  

  • Investigations into cell growth and radiation effects on DNA.

  • Technology demonstrations for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

• Crew Supplies:
  
  

  • Food, clothing, and tools for ISS crew members.

  • Spare parts for the space station.

• Hardware and Spare Parts:
  
  

  • Equipment necessary for maintaining the ISS and its experiments.

Key Facts:

• Dragon 2 is capable of carrying both pressurized and unpressurized cargo.

• CRS-20 was the 20th mission under the NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract with SpaceX.

• The Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, known for its reusability, was used to launch the Dragon capsule into orbit.

• The mission successfully demonstrated SpaceX’s increasing reliability for delivering cargo and supporting the ISS.

Additional Information:

• SpaceX CRS-20 was the final mission of the Dragon 1 spacecraft (the previous version) being replaced by the Dragon 2 capsule, marking the end of the Dragon 1 program.
  
  

• This mission helped NASA in supporting continuous human presence on the International Space Station by maintaining necessary supplies and science experiments.