NASA and SpaceX convened on Sunday to evaluate weather and splashdown conditions off the coast of Florida, facilitating the return of Crew-9 from the International Space Station.
Mission managers are targeting a potential Crew-9 return on the evening of March 18th based on favorable weather forecasts. Astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorboonov will be returning, having completed an extended scientific mission aboard the orbiting laboratory.
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This is NASA's Preparation
Mission managers are closely monitoring weather conditions in the area, as the Dragon's undocking depends on various factors such as spacecraft readiness, recovery team coordination, weather, sea conditions, and more. NASA and SpaceX will confirm the splashdown location as the Crew-9 return approaches.
What is the Dragon Capsule?
NASA has selected SpaceX's Dragon Crew Capsule to bring Sunita back. The capsule has launched 49 times since its inception, traveling to the International Space Station 44 times, with 29 reflights.
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This is the world's first private spacecraft consistently ferrying astronauts and cargo to the space station. The empty capsule weighs 7,700 kg, and its maximum capacity is 12,500 kg when launched with cargo and astronauts.
Seats Up to 7 People in Emergencies
It can transport up to 6,000 kg to any orbit and deliver or return 3,307 kg to the space station. Typically, it seats 2 to 4 astronauts, but in an emergency evacuation, it can accommodate seven.
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If flying solo in low Earth orbit, it can stay in space for 10 days. However, tethered to the space station, it can remain for up to 210 days. SpaceX has developed several variants, producing 12 Dragon Capsules: six crew, three cargo, and three prototypes.
How Many Capsules are in Operation?
The Dragon Crew Capsule stands 15 feet tall, extending to 26.7 feet with the propulsion system. Inside, it spans 13 feet in diameter and 12 feet in width. Currently, eight Dragon Capsules are operational, four for crew transport and three for cargo, alongside one prototype. Three capsules are retired, including one crew and two prototypes. Its first unmanned flight was on March 2, 2019, and its first crewed mission launched on May 20, 2020. The first cargo mission was on December 6, 2020, typically launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, using 2,563 kg of fuel for the journey to and from the space station.
