NASA Prepares for SpaceX’s 31st Resupply Mission to the ISS
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The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, pictured on March 13, 2023, carried on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the agency’s SpaceX 31st commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Credit: SpaceX. |
NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the 31st Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with liftoff scheduled for Monday, November 4, at 9:29 p.m. EST. Aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will carry nearly 6,000 pounds of essential supplies, science investigations, and equipment. The launch will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, specifically at Launch Complex 39A.
Launch and Arrival Coverage
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch beginning at 9:10 p.m. on November 4, available on NASA+ and the agency’s website. Additionally, the arrival and docking coverage of Dragon at the ISS will start at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5. The spacecraft is expected to autonomously dock with the Harmony module at approximately 10:15 a.m. EST.
Science and Research Highlights
Among the science equipment aboard are investigations designed to study solar wind and plant responses in space:
- Coronal Diagnostic Experiment – This investigation aims to enhance our understanding of the solar wind and its formation, providing insights into space weather.
- Antarctic Moss Study – Researchers will examine the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on plants, using Antarctic moss as a subject to assess growth responses.
- Cold Welding Experiment – A device will assess how metals may weld together in space’s unique environment, providing crucial data for future construction in space.
- Material Exposure Investigation – Another experiment will observe how different materials hold up against the harsh conditions of space, essential for developing new space-grade materials.
These studies contribute to space exploration and our understanding of how long-term exposure to space conditions affects biological and material samples.
Public Participation and Media Resources
NASA is encouraging the public to attend the launch virtually through its NASA Virtual Guest program, which includes exclusive resources, launch notifications, and a digital stamp for participants’ virtual passports.
Media members interested in speaking with a NASA science expert can contact Leah Cheshier at leah.d.cheshier@nasa.gov.
Additional NASA and SpaceX Mission Coverage
For updates, NASA will provide real-time information through its International Space Station blog and social media platforms. The public can join the conversation on:
- X (formerly Twitter): @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, @ISS_NatLab
- Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
- Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab
Spanish Language Coverage
For Spanish speakers, NASA provides dedicated coverage on NASA en Español. Spanish-speaking media can reach out to Antonia Jaramillo or Messod Bendayan for interviews at antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov or messod.c.bendayan@nasa.gov.
For further details, visit the NASA CRS-31 Mission page.
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