Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
NASA and SpaceX plan to launch the 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:16 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 12. The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, using a Falcon 9 rocket to send a Dragon spacecraft with approximately 6,500 pounds of cargo.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock to the station’s Harmony module at about 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, May 14. It will remain at the ISS until mid-June before returning to Earth with time-sensitive research and cargo, splashing down off the coast of California.
Cargo includes new experiments such as a project testing Earth-based simulators in microgravity, a bone scaffold made from wood aimed at treating osteoporosis, and equipment to study changes in red blood cells and the spleen in microgravity. The spacecraft will also carry an instrument to examine charged particles around Earth affecting power grids and satellites, as well as technology for researching planetary formation and high-accuracy sunlight reflection measurements from Earth and the Moon.
NASA will provide live launch and docking coverage starting at 7 p.m. EDT on May 12 via NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. Prelaunch events include a media teleconference scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT on May 11 featuring NASA and SpaceX personnel.