SpaceX launches CRS-30 mission from Florida

SpaceX on Thursday launched the Falcon 9 reusable rocket carrying the 30th Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-30) to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The mission, which was liftoff at 4:55 p.m. ET, carried more than 6,000 pounds of cargo. That includes new science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the space station’s crew.

It also includes research materials on plant metabolism in space and a set of new sensors for free-flying Astrobee robots with 3D mapping technology.

Other research includes a fluid physics study that could benefit solar cell technology a university project from CSA (Canadian Space Agency) that will monitor sea ice and ocean conditions.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will dock with this cargo at the space station at approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the zenith port of the station’s Harmony module.