SpaceX Dragon Capsule Reaches International Space Station With Supply Shipment
CAPE CANAVERAL (CBSMiami/AP) — A SpaceX Dragon capsule has reached the International Space Station, delivering more than 4,300 pounds of supplies.
The spacecraft reached the orbiting lab after launching late Friday night. NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir used the station's robot arm to capture the spacecraft.
The shipment contains science experiments and equipment, as well as special goodies for the three-person crew aloft for months: grapefruit, tomatoes, Skittles, Reese's Pieces and Hot Tamales.
This is the last of SpaceX's original-style Dragons. All future ones are designed to carry either cargo or crew, and will dock automatically rather than require robot-arm assistance. SpaceX has been sending up station cargo since 2012 and plans to start launching NASA astronauts this spring.
From 260 miles up, Meir congratulated SpaceX on its many milestones, including the fact this is the third flight for this particular Dragon. Spacecraft and rocket recycling, she noted, is "the more sustainable approach that will be paramount to the future of spaceflight."
The Dragon will remain at the orbiting lab for a month before returning to Earth with science specimens.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)