SpaceX prepares to launch supercomputer that could help guide astronauts on future missions
Another experiment is designed to help scientists study Parkinson’s disease in greater detail in the hopes of finding better treatments
SpaceX is poised to launch an unmanned cargo ship toward the International Space Station on Monday, including a supercomputer that could direct astronauts on future deep space missions.
The lift-off of the Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Dragon cargo ship, is planned for 12.31pm from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The weather forecast is 70 per cent favourable for launch.
The mission is the 12th official trip for SpaceX, which has a US$1.6 billion contract with Nasa to supply the astronauts living in orbit over 20 such back-and-forth journeys.
About 10 minutes after launch, the rocket will attempt to make a controlled landing back on solid ground at Cape Canaveral, as part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to reuse rocket components after each take-off.
If Monday’s launch is delayed for any reason, the next attempt would have to wait until next week, due to a spacewalk planned for Thursday by Russian cosmonauts, who will deploy a series of satellites from the orbiting outpost.
Such a long communication lag would make any on-the-ground exploration challenging and potentially dangerous