SpaceX ISS Resupply Mission to Launch Monday: Flacon 9 Rocket Will Make Another Re-Landing Attempt (Watch Live)
BySpaceX is taking another shot at landing a rocket back on the ground after shooting a resupply capsule to the International Space Station (ISS).
According to Reuters, the company will make its attempt Monday evening from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch is currently scheduled for 4:33 p.m. ET.
NASA will air the launch live online.
SpaceX was unsuccessful the first time they tried to re-land the Falcon 9 rocket that carries the Dragon cargo capsule to the ISS crewmembers. The company appeared ready to try it again in February, but had to nix the re-landing attempt due to high seas. The rocket's landing pad is afloat in the ocean.
SpaceX has landed its Falcon 9 rocket in the ocean after a resupply mission, but never has the rocket landed on its legs afterward. If successful, the company could save itself billions of dollars by being able to reuse the rocket.
"It looks right now like weather is significantly better. We did also upgrade the drone ship so it can keep position better," Reuters quoted SpaceX Vice President Hans Koenigsmann saying at a press conference preceding the launch.
He was optimistic for the re-landing attempt, placing the expectancy of success around "75 or 80 percent."
Around 7:30 a.m., NASA reported on its blog there appeared to be a "60 percent chance of acceptable conditions." Unfavorable conditions have been known to cancel launches minutes before takeoff, as the weather is ultimately unpredictable despite sophisticated forecasting systems in place.
Amidst the various research equipment in the Dragon capsule will be specialized espresso cups. In addition to giving ISS crewmembers a caffeine fix, they will be part of a scientific study.
"One new technology demonstration heading up to the space station is ISSpresso. This will test an espresso maker aboard the space station that crew members can use to make tea, coffee, broth or other hot beverages," read a statement from NASA. "Proving this technology in microgravity may lead to new or improved brewing methods. Crew members may enjoy an ISSpresso beverage using specially designed space cups as part of the Capillary Beverage study-an improvement to the standard drinking pouch with a straw. These specially designed containers use fluid properties such as surface tension to control the beverage in the cup. This test may add to the field of micro-fluidics, used in Earth-based medical and drug delivery applications."