SpaceX set for CRS-34 resupply mission to the ISS after weather delay

The International Space Station (ISS) is poised to receive a fresh cargo delivery as the SpaceX Falcon 9 prepares for the CRS-34 resupply mission. Initially set to launch on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:16 PM EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the launch was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. A new launch opportunity is now targeted for the following day, May 13, at 6:50 PM EDT.

Flying for the sixth time, Falcon booster B1096 will follow a northeast trajectory and aim for a return-to-launch-site landing at Landing Zone 40, located adjacent to its launch pad. Once launched, the Cargo Dragon spacecraft C209 will enter a 51.6-degree orbit to align with the ISS, requiring approximately 38 hours to complete its journey. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the Harmony module’s forward port on May 14 at 1:50 PM UTC.

The Falcon 9 booster has had a diverse flight history, including missions for the Amazon Leo and NROL-77. Meanwhile, Dragon C209 has been an active participant in ISS resupply missions since its initial launch during CRS-22 in June 2021. The cargo vehicle will carry nearly 2,948 kilograms of supplies, encompassing food, equipment, and scientific experiments. Notably, this mission includes approximately 831 kilograms designated for scientific research, representing a continuation of over 4,000 experiments conducted aboard the ISS over its 25-year span, supported by scientists from more than 110 countries.

One of the highlighted experiments included in the cargo is the Outcomes of microbial Dynamics during Spaceflight and in SimulatEd microgravity (ODYSSEY), which aims to assess the accuracy of microgravity simulators on Earth by comparing bacterial behavior in space. Additionally, the Storm Time O+ Ring current Imaging Evolution (STORIE) experiment will investigate charged particle dynamics within Earth’s magnetic field and is part of the U.S. Space Force’s STP-H11 mission. STORIE is expected to be installed on the ISS shortly after its arrival.

Other experiments aboard include the Autonomous Ion Mass Spectrometer Sentry (AIMSS), which will study ionospheric plasma, the Laplace experiment focused on the behavior of space dust, and the Green Bone in Microgravity project designed to cultivate human bone cells for potential future medical applications. Furthermore, the Spleen Activity in Space Anemia and Red Cells Kinetics (SPARK) study will explore physiological changes in astronauts, particularly concerning anemia risks during extended missions.

As part of the resupply mission, the Cargo Dragon will also transport 618 kilograms of crew supplies, 128 kilograms of spacewalk gear, 469 kilograms of vehicle components, and various other payloads essential for maintaining the ISS’s operations.

NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will oversee the Dragon’s docking process. After a month-long stay at the ISS, the Cargo Dragon is scheduled to return to Earth in mid-June, bringing crucial experiment samples and hardware back for examination and possible repair. This mission marks the 56th Falcon 9 flight for 2026 and the fifth resupply mission to the ISS this year, with another launch planned for July 14 involving a new crew.

As SpaceX continues its pivotal role in supporting the ISS, the upcoming CRS-34 mission exemplifies the ongoing collaborative efforts in space research and exploration.