Orbiting 250 miles above the planet, NASA astronaut Anil Menon marked his 50th birthday in a way few could ever. He received a special delivery package.
After a 51-hour orbital pursuit that began with a dazzling pre-dawn launch, SpaceX’s cargo Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station’s Harmony module on October 15.
The mission was designated Commercial Resupply Services CRS-35. It brought over 6,300 pounds of vital supplies, cutting-edge science experiments, and a surprise birthday delivery for Menon, who served as the prime crew member monitoring the automated rendezvous.
Menon launched to the ISS in July on Soyuz MS-29 for an eight-month stay. Hence, he was midway through his extended mission when CRS-35 arrived.
Chasing the station
The journey began two days earlier at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where a Falcon 9 rocket roared to life and climbed into the morning sky.
Launched near dawn, the rocket lit up the upper atmosphere and gave spectators along the US East Coast a glowing “space jellyfish” from its expanding exhaust plumes.
Traveling at a high 17,500 mph, Dragon executed a series of precise thruster burns to catch up with the station as both spacecraft sped over South Africa. Docking proceeded flawlessly.
Dragon autonomously attached to the space-facing zenith port on the station’s Harmony module, bringing a fresh supply line to the newly arrived Crew-13 astronauts, who took over station operations earlier this month.
The Dragon spacecraft is delivering a diverse range of operational equipment and advanced scientific experiments to support the orbital laboratory. Its primary payload includes the eighth and final set of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) to complete the station’s power-grid expansion, along with maintenance components for the Canadarm2 robotic arm and replacement hardware for the station’s toilet systems.
Research and upgrades to ISS
On the scientific side, the shipment carries materials to produce 3D-printed artificial retinas to treat vision loss on Earth, and 3D heart tissue models to improve drug testing.
On Earth, gravity causes cells to settle and deform. In zero gravity, cells grow in 3D structures similar to how they form inside the human body, allowing scientists to cultivate far more realistic heart tissues and brain organoids.
Furthermore, researchers will study brain organoids to help pinpoint potential therapies for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. It also includes experimental materials to observe how a new type of glass forms without the interference of gravity.
The arrival marks a transitional moment for the orbital laboratory. As the Crew-13 team unpacks fresh food and scientific instruments, outgoing Crew-12 members are ready to share stories from their nearly eight-month stint in space.
SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon stands out as a key asset for international space operations because it can return to Earth. It features a protective heat shield and parachute system that let it land safely.
Dragon will remain tethered to the station for about a month. Astronauts will pack its pressurized cabin with completed research, waste, and spent hardware before the spacecraft detaches for a powered re-entry and splashdown in the ocean.