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 on 12 March 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.
![]() Rendering of Cargo Dragon | |
Mission type | ISS resupply |
---|---|
Operator | SpaceX |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Cargo Dragon |
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Dry mass | 9,525 kg |
Dimensions | Height: 8.1 m Diameter: 4 m |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 12 March 2021 (planned)[1] |
Rocket | Falcon 9 |
Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
Contractor | SpaceX |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Inclination | 51.6° |
Berthing at ISS | |
Berthing port | Harmony nadir or Unity nadir |
RMS capture | 2021 |
Berthing date | 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 seats, cockpit controls and the life support system 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.[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.
- 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)
CubeSats planned for this mission:[1] ARKSAT-1, SpaceICE, CaNOP, CAPSat, EagleSat-2, PR_CuNaR2, LinkSat, CLICK A, and Stratus.
References
- "Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches". NASA. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- OIG Staff (26 April 2018). Audit of Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Center (PDF) (Report). NASA Office of Inspector General. p. 24.
- "Dragon 2 modifications to Carry Cargo for CRS-2 missions". Teslarati. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- Clark, Stephen (2 August 2019). "SpaceX to begin flights under new cargo resupply contract next year". SpaceflightNow.