How to watch SpaceX Cargo Dragon lift off from the ISS this week

This week, a SpaceX Cargo Dragon ship will depart from the International Space Station (ISS) carrying supplies and science experiments back to Earth. The uncrewed craft is scheduled to begin its journey on Friday, and its departure from the ISS will be broadcast live by NASA. We’ve got all the details on how you can watch from home below.

What to expect from the start

The Cargo Dragon arrived at the ISS after its launch on December 21 last year. Now it will return, having been loaded down with 4,900 pounds of supplies and equipment before it departed the space station. This includes experiments like a light imaging microscope that was used to look at matter at the microscopic level, results from a study of using nanoparticles to make new materials, and results from a study of how whose human body reacts to the microgravity environment. from the ISS.

The Dragon will perform a parachute-assisted immersion off the coast of Florida, from where recovery teams will recover the capsule for possible future reuse and bring the scientific results to researchers for analysis.

How to watch the start

The departure of the spacecraft will be broadcast live by NASA on its channel, NASA TV. You can watch this at home by heading to NASA website or using the video embedded at the top of this page.

Coverage will begin at 10:15 a.m. ET (7:15 a.m. PT) on Friday, January 21. The undocking itself is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET (7:40 a.m. PT). Cover will cover preparations, undocking and beginning the journey away from the station.

The spacecraft will then lift away from the station and head towards Earth, before making its landing at around 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. PT) on Saturday, January 22. However, this landing will not be broadcast live if you wish. follow the crafting progress, you can head to The NASA Space Station Blog where there will be updates on the status of the craft as it approaches and makes its landing.