Nichols Martin
SpaceX has launched a Dragon resupply spacecraft with over 7,300 pounds of new solar arrays, research materials and various supplies en route to the International Space Station.
The spacecraft, which marks NASA’s 22nd SpaceX resupply mission, carries the new ISS Roll-out Solar Arrays and scientific investigations on topics including microgravity, cotton production, ultrasounds and virtual reality-aided robotics, the space agency said Friday.
Pilote, one of the spacecraft’s carried investigations, will demonstrate how virtual reality and haptic interfaces can support the performance of remotely controlled robotic arms. The European Space Agency leads this investigation.
Another featured study, titled Understanding of Microgravity on Animal-Microbe Interactions, will assess how spaceflight environments affect the symbiotic relationship between animals and microbes through a study of bobtail squid and bacteria.
One of the investigative projects will also test how the commercially available Butterfly IQ Ultrasound tool could support medical operations in space.
The Dragon spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket Thursday from Florida-based Kennedy Space Center. NASA expects Dragon to autonomously dock with ISS on Saturday.
The space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm will install the iROSA units on June 16 and 20.
