SpaceX CRS-30

SpaceX CRS-30
	CRS-30 docked to the ISS
Names	SpX-30
Mission type	ISS resupply
Operator	SpaceX
COSPAR ID	2024-054A
SATCATno.	59287
Mission duration	39 days, 8 hours, 43 minutes
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Cargo DragonC209
Spacecraft type	Cargo Dragon
Manufacturer	SpaceX
Start of mission
Launch date	21 March 2024, 20:55UTC(4:55amEDT)
Rocket	Falcon 9 Block 5(B1080.6)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral,SLC‑40
End of mission
Recovered by	MVShannon
Landing date	30 April 2024, 05:38UTC (1:38amEDT)
Landing site	Gulf of Mexico
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Inclination	51.66°
Docking withISS
Docking port	Harmonyzenith
Docking date	23 March 2024, 11:19UTC
Undocking date	28 April 2024, 17:10UTC
Time docked	36 days, 5 hours, 51 minutes
Cargo
Mass	2,841 kg (6,263 lb)
Pressurised	2,210 kg (4,870 lb)
Unpressurised	631 kg (1,391 lb)
	; Mission patch Commercial Resupply Services ←NG-20 NG-21→ Cargo Dragon flights ←SpaceX CRS-29 SpaceX CRS-31→

SpaceX CRS-30,sometimes identified byNASAasSpX-30,was an Americancargo spacecraftflight to theInternational Space Station(ISS), that launched on 21 March 2024. It was operated bySpaceXunder aCommercial Resupply Services(CRS) contract with NASA. The spacecraft is aCargo Dragon,serial numberC209,which made its fourth flight on this mission. This mission was the first Cargo Dragon to launch fromCape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40since the second generation capsule was introduced on theSpaceX CRS-21mission. In that time, a tower and access arm were added to the pad, allowing late loading of supplies into the spacecraft.

Cargo Dragon

SpaceX plans to reuse the Cargo Dragons up to five times. The Cargo Dragon doesn't requireSuperDracoabort engines, seats, cockpit controls, or the life support system required to sustain astronauts in space.^[2]^[3]Dragon 2improves onDragon 1in several ways, including lessened refurbishment time, leading to shorter periods between flights.^[4]

The new Cargo Dragon capsules under the NASA CRS Phase 2 contract land east ofFloridain the Atlantic Ocean,^[2]^[4]so that cargo can be returned more quickly toCape Canaveralafter splashdown.

Launch

Falcon 9 and Cargo Dragon launched at 20:55 UTC on 21 March 2024, forSpaceX's 30thcommercial resupply services missionto theInternational Space Station.Falcon 9's first stage booster B1080 successfully landed atLanding Zone-1(LZ-1) eight minutes after launch, and Cargo Dragon separated from the 2nd stage 4 minutes later.^[5]Dragon autonomously docked to the International Space Station'sHarmony moduleon Saturday, March 23, at 11:19 UTC. It delivered 2,841 kilograms of supplies and a spare pump for the station'sexternal thermal loop system,which was located in Dragon's trunk.^[6]CRS-30 was the first to launch with a Dragon spacecraft fromLaunch Complex 40atCape Canaveral,^[7]and the first to use the newly-constructed crew and cargo access tower at the pad.^[8]

Manifest

The Cargo Dragon spacecraft was loaded with a total of 2,841 kilograms (6,263 lb) of cargo and supplies before its launch, including 2,841 kilograms (6,263 lb) of pressurised and 631 kilograms (1,391 lb) of unpressurised cargo.

The cargo manifest is broken down as follows:^[9]

Crew supplies: 545 kg (1,202 lb)
Science investigations: 1,135 kg (2,502 lb)
Spacewalk equipment: 90 kg (200 lb)
Vehicle hardware: 415 kg (915 lb)
Computer resources: 25 kg (55 lb)

Research

Various experiments will be transported to the orbiting laboratory, and will provide valuable insight for researchers.^[7]

SpaceX’s Dragon will deliver new science investigations, food, supplies, and equipment to the international crew. NASA and partner research flying aboard the CRS-30 mission includes a look atplant metabolismin space and a set of newsensorsfor free-flying Astrobee robots to provide3D mappingcapabilities. Other studies include afluid physicsstudy that could benefitnanoparticle solar celltechnology and auniversityproject fromCSA (Canadian Space Agency)that will monitor seaiceandoceanconditions.^[7]

SNOOPI

Signals of OpportunityP-bandInvestigation (SNOOPI) is a 6UCubeSatmission led by James Garrison, a professor atPurdue University,aimed at usingP-bandsignals from telecommunications satellites to measuresoil moistureandsnow watercontent from space. This project is significant for enhancing agricultural practices,water management,and climate prediction by offering a more accessible method to gather important environmental data. Unlike traditional methods that face challenges with radio frequency spectrum access and require large antennas, SNOOPI uses an innovative approach that captures reflected signals from the Earth's surface to measure moisture and snow depth. This technique, known as P-band signals of opportunityreflectometry,is effective because it can penetrate vegetation and provide accurate data on soil and snow conditions. This mission not only seeks to validate the effectiveness of using P-band signals for environmental measurements but also aims to pave the way for future space missions by providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for global monitoring of soil moisture and snow water equivalent.

Plants off the Planet

Plants can be used inregenerative life support systems,to providefood,and to contribute to thewell-beingofastronautson futuredeep space explorationmissions. C4Photosynthesisin Space (APEX-09) examines howmicrogravityaffects the mechanisms by which two types ofgrasses,known as C3 and C4, capturecarbon dioxide from the atmosphere.^[10]Results could clarify plant responses tostressfulenvironments and inform the design ofbio-regenerative life support systemson future missions, as well as systems forplant growthon Earth.^[10]

Sensing the Sea

A technique calledGlobal Navigation Satellite Systemreflectometry (GNSS-R), which receivessatellite signalsreflected from the surface of Earth, as a way to monitoroceanphenomena and improveclimatemodels. Killick-1: AGNSSReflectometry CubeSat for MeasuringSea IceThickness and Extent (NanoracksKILLICK-1) tests using this technique to measure sea ice. The project supports development of space and science capabilities inNewfoundlandandLabrador,Canada,by providing hands-on experience with space systems and Earth observation. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate engineering students participated in the project. GNSS-R technology islow-cost,light, andenergy efficient.Its potential applications on Earth include providing data for weather and climate models and improving the understanding of ocean phenomena such assurface windsandstorm surge.^[10]

Automated Autonomous Assistance

Multi-resolution Scanner(MRS) Payload for theAstrobee(Multi-Resolution Scanning) tests technology toautomate 3D sensing, mapping, and situational awareness systems.The technology combines multiplesensors,which compensates for weaknesses in any one of them and provides veryhigh-resolution 3D dataand more accuratetrajectorydata to understand how therobotmoves around in space. The technology could be used forautonomous operationof spacecraft withminimalor no human occupancy where robots must sense the environment and precisely maneuver, including thelunar Gateway space station.Other uses could be to inspect and maintain spacecraft and for autonomous vehicle operations on othercelestial bodies.Results also support improvements in robotic technologies for harsh and dangerous environments on Earth.^[10]

Placement of Particles

TheNano Particle HaloingSuspension investigation examines how nanoparticles andmicroparticlesinteract within anelectrical field.A process called nanoparticle haloing usescharged nanoparticlesto enable precise particle arrangements that improve the efficiency ofquantum-dotsynthesizedsolar cells.Quantum dots are tinyspheresofsemiconductormaterial with the potential to convertsunlightintoenergymuch moreefficiently.Conducting these processes inmicrogravityprovides insight into the relationship betweenshape,charge,concentration,and interaction of particles. The investigation is supported byNASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which partners withgovernment,higher education,and industry on projects to improve a research infrastructure and research and development capacity andcompetitiveness.^[10]

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