SpaceX CRS-22

SpaceX CRS-22, also known as SpX-22, is a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station planned to be launched in May 2021.[1] The mission is contracted by NASA and will be flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon. This will be the second flight for SpaceX under NASA's CRS Phase 2 contract awarded in January 2016.

SpaceX CRS-22
NamesSpX-22
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCargo Dragon
ManufacturerSpaceX
Dry mass9525 kg
DimensionsHeight: 8.1 m
Diameter: 4 m
Start of mission
Launch dateMay 2021 (planned)[1]
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
(Booster B1058.4)
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking portHarmony
Docking dateMay 2021
Undocking dateJune 2021
 

Cargo Dragon

SpaceX plans to reuse the Cargo Dragons up to five times. The Crew Dragon capsules, used on missions with astronauts, are not planned to be initially reused. The Cargo Dragon will launch without SuperDraco abort engines, without passenger seats, cockpit controls and life support system (LSS of ECLSS) required to sustain astronauts in space.[2][3] This newer design provides several benefits, including a faster process to recover, refurbish and re-fly versus the earlier Dragon CRS design used for ISS cargo missions.[4]

The new Cargo Dragon capsules under the NASA CRS Phase 2 contract will splash down under parachutes in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida, rather than the previous recovery zone in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California under the NASA CRS Phase 1 contract.[2][4]

Primary payload

NASA contracted for the CRS-22 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date of launch, and orbital parameters for the Cargo Dragon.[5]

  • Science investigations: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Vehicle hardware: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Crew supplies: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Spacewalk equipment: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Computer resources: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • External payloads: 0 kg (0 lb)

Deployable Space Systems' Solar Arrays, with new XTJ Prime space solar cells, will be delivered to the station in pairs in the unpressurized trunk of SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft during three (3) resupply missions beginning with the CRS-22 mission in May 2021. Another Pair will be delivered to the ISS will be on CRS-23, followed by CRS-24. The installation of each new solar array will require two (2) spacewalks: one to prepare the worksite with a modification kit and another to install the new panel.[6][7]

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: [8]

  • Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) Reconfiguration

Cubesats

ELaNa 36 : Ten (10) CubeSats are scheduled for deployment on this mission:[9]

  • Alpha - Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
  • ARKSAT-1 - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
  • BeaverCube - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • CaNOP - Carthage University, Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • CAPSat - University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois
  • EagleSat-2 - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
  • PR_CuNaR2 - International American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Campus, Bayamon Puerto Rico
  • RamSat RamSat - Oak Ridge Public Schools (Robertsville Middle School), Oak Ridge, Tennessee
  • Stratus - Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
  • Space Hauc - University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts

Yet to be determined: SpaceICE, LinkSat, CLICK A

Returning Hardware

Beginning with returning capsules or lifting bodies under the CRS-2 contract, NASA reports major hardware (failed or expended hardware for diagnostic assessment, refurbishment, repair, or no longer needed) returning from the International Space Station. The SpaceX CRS-22 mission plans ends in July 2021 with re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the Atlantic Ocean near the eastern coast of Florida with 0 kg (0 lb) of return cargo.[10]

See also

References
  1. Clark, Stephen (1 December 2020). "Launch Schedule : Falcon 9 SpaceX CRS-22". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  2. Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF). NASA Office of Inspector General (Report). IG-18-016. NASA. 26 April 2018. p. 24, 28-30. Retrieved 29 September 2020. 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 17 February 2020.
  4. Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  5. "SpaceX Commercial Resupply". ISS Program Office. NASA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. Pearlman, Robert (13 January 2021). "Boeing to boost space station power supply with new solar arrays". Space.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  7. Clark, Stephen (13 January 2021). "Boeing says assembly complete on first set of new space station solar arrays". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  8. "ISS Research Program". Glenn Research Center. NASA. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. "Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches". Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. NASA. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. "SpX-22 Mission Overview" (PDF). NASA. 6 December 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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