NASA Sets Coverage for SpaceX 32nd Station Resupply Launch, Arrival

NASA has announced comprehensive coverage plans for the upcoming SpaceX 32nd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-32) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission underscores the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX to ensure the continuous delivery of essential supplies and scientific experiments to the orbiting laboratory. 

**Overview of Mission** From Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX CRS-32 mission is scheduled for launch. The Dragon spacecraft will carry a variety of cargo, including scientific investigations, crew supplies, and hardware necessary for the maintenance and operation of the ISS. The spacecraft is expected to autonomously dock to the forward-facing port of the station's Harmony module approximately two days after launch. 

Science-Based Payloads Several notable scientific experiments are included in the cargo: - The **HUNCH Ball Clamp Monopod** is a student-made item that was made to make it easier to film in space and improve the documentation of experiments and daily life on the ISS. 

- **Tanpopo-5**: A Japanese experiment aimed at studying the origin, transportation, and survival of life in space and on extraterrestrial planets. 

- **Cardinal Heart 2.0 and Engineered Heart Tissues-2**: Part of the National Institutes of Health and ISS National Laboratory's Tissue Chips in Space initiative, these studies utilize small devices containing living cells that mimic human tissues and organs to advance the development of treatments for cardiac dysfunction. 

**NASA's Coverage Plans**

Through a variety of platforms, NASA will provide extensive coverage of the CRS-32 mission: - **Prelaunch Media Teleconference**: Scheduled for Monday, March 13, at 8 p.m. EDT, featuring key personnel from NASA and SpaceX discussing mission objectives and readiness. 

- **Launch Coverage**: The launch will begin live streaming no earlier than 8 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 14, available on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. 

- **Docking Coverage**: At 8:45 a.m., NASA will begin covering the Dragon spacecraft's arrival at the International Space Station. EDT on March 16, with an anticipated docking time of 7:52 a.m. EDT. 

**Public Engagement**

NASA encourages public participation through its virtual guest program, allowing individuals to register for mission updates and activities via email. After a successful launch, participants will receive curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities, and a virtual guest passport stamp. 

Users of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are encouraged to use the hashtags #Dragon and #CRS32 to follow the mission and interact with it. To increase public engagement, official NASA accounts will provide real-time updates and content from behind-the-scenes. 

**Mission Duration and Return**

The Dragon spacecraft is expected to remain attached to the ISS for approximately one month. Upon completion of its mission, it will return to Earth carrying research samples and return cargo, with a planned splashdown off the coast of Florida. 

This mission continues the vital partnership between NASA and SpaceX, ensuring the sustained operation of the ISS and the advancement of scientific research in microgravity. 

Scientific Payloads

Several notable scientific experiments are contained in the cargo: The HUNCH Ball Clamp Monopod is a student-made project that was made to make it easier to film in space and improve the documentation of experiments and daily life on the ISS. Tanpopo-5: A Japanese experiment aimed at studying the origin, transportation, and survival of life in space and on extraterrestrial planets.​

Cardinal Heart 2.0 and Engineered Heart Tissues-2: Part of the National Institutes of Health and ISS National Laboratory's Tissue Chips in Space initiative, these studies utilize small devices containing living cells that mimic human tissues and organs to advance the development of treatments for cardiac dysfunction.

Plans and Technologies

NASA will provide extensive coverage of the CRS-32 mission through various platforms:​

Media Teleconference Prior to Launch: Scheduled for Monday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, featuring key personnel from NASA and SpaceX discussing mission objectives and readiness.​

Live streaming of the launch will begin no earlier than eight o'clock in the evening. EDT on Tuesday, March 14, and will be accessible on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the organization's website. Docking Coverage: NASA's coverage of the Dragon spacecraft's arrival at the ISS will commence at 8:45 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 16, with docking expected at 7:52 a.m. EDT.​

Engagement And Reach

NASA encourages public participation through its virtual guest program, allowing individuals to register for mission updates and activities via email. Participants will receive curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities, and a virtual guest passport stamp following a successful launch.​

Users of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are encouraged to use the hashtags #Dragon and #CRS32 to follow the mission and interact with it. Official NASA accounts will provide real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content to enhance public engagement.​

Mission Selection

The Dragon spacecraft is expected to remain attached to the ISS for approximately one month. After completing its mission, it will splash down off the coast of Florida to return to Earth with research samples and cargo. This mission continues the vital partnership between NASA and SpaceX, ensuring the sustained operation of the ISS and the advancement of scientific research in microgravity.