Elain Brown Science 06.29.2022 03:Jun AM EDT

SpaceX Postpones ISS Cargo Mission Again—When is the New Launch Date?

The SpaceX CRS-25 cargo mission to the International Space Station is once again delayed.

The next shipment of supplies to be sent to the ISS by SpaceX will not lift off any time soon.

The already-delayed CRS-25 resupply mission has received a new launch window thanks to the collaborative efforts of SpaceX and NASA.

NASA estimates that the launch of the robotic mission will take place no earlier than July 14 at the earliest. The resupply mission will deliver a robotic Dragon capsule to the ISS atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX Launch of CRS-25

SpaceX and NASA have confirmed that the launch of the CRS-25 commercial resupply services mission to the ISS is now scheduled to take place no earlier than July 14.

The new target launch date will allow for continuous inspections of the Dragon spacecraft.

It will also allow the repair and replacement of any components that may have been damaged as a result of exposure to mono-methyl hydrazine (MMH) vapor, discovered during testing at the beginning of June.

The SpaceX team came to the conclusion that it would be best to replace the primary parachutes on this spaceship.

This will enable a more thorough check of the parachutes to be performed away from the vehicle.

According to NASA's update, "The new date also allows for launch of the uncrewed cargo mission for the earliest possible rendezvous opportunity with the International Space Station following the upcoming high-beta angle period when the sun angle with space station's orbital plane causes problems with thermal and power generation at the microgravity laboratory in the planned docking attitude for visiting spacecraft."

This SpaceX CRS-25 resupply mission will mark a milestone for both NASA and SpaceX.

Since this will be the 25th time that NASA has contracted SpaceX to deliver a robotic resupply craft to the ISS.

It will be the third spaceflight for this specific Dragon spacecraft, which has already completed resupply missions to the orbiting lab twice before, once in December 2020 and once in August 2021.

The CRS-25 will launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will use a Falcon 9 rocket to propel a SpaceX Dragon capsule in the direction of the orbiting lab.

SpaceX Delays with Dragon Capsule

According to Space, SpaceX spacecraft have had a few challenges and delays before launching. NASA and SpaceX announced earlier this month that they were canceling the launch meant for June 10.

This is after detecting elevated readings of hydrazine, which is the propellant used by Dragon's Draco thrusters, while fueling the spacecraft.

The mission was put on hold, initially until no sooner than June 28, and later until no earlier than July 11, so that the abnormal hydrazine vapor readings that were detected within the Draco system could be investigated.

NASA officials stated in the latest update that the new launch date, July 14, has been set for CRS-25.

As reported by Space, this will enable the uncrewed Dragon spacecraft to arrive at the ISS as soon as possible following an upcoming period in which the sun will fully illuminate the station, causing problems with power generation and thermal issues.

As implied in the mission's name, CRS-25, this will be the 25th time that SpaceX has provided NASA with a robotic resupply mission to the ISS.