NASA, SpaceX Partner for 29th Resupply Mission to ISS

NASA sent supplies, science experiments and technology demonstrations to the International Space Station on Thursday.

SpaceX helped launch the 29th Commercial Resupply Services mission, carrying an estimated 6,500 pounds of cargo, using the uncrewed Dragon spacecraft, NASA said.

NASA’s Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low-Earth-Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal is one of the technologies aboard the SpaceX spacecraft. ILLUMA-T will test its capability to send high-resolution images, videos and data to ground stations based in California and Hawaii. With the project, researchers aim to understand how laser communications systems can be used aboard the ISS.  

The Dragon spacecraft carried other technology demonstrations, including the European Space Agency’s investigation of using Aquamembrane-3 for water recovery on the ISS. ESA has been working to develop the Aquaporin Inside Membrane to replace the multi-filtration beds previously used to provide water for residents of the space station.

The U.S. space agency has been collaborating with SpaceX on a number of launches. In June, the Elon Musk-owned business received a contract from NASA’s CubeSat program to launch two missions no earlier than 2025.