The International Space Station (ISS) awaits a delivery as a SpaceX shipment carrying avocados, ants, and a human-sized robotic arm left for space on Sunday. Read to know more about SpaceX‘s 23rd delivery for NASA this decade.
This launch is SpaceX’s second attempt. After all, the pre-scheduled take-off on Saturday was canceled due to bad weather conditions.
More on the SpaceX shipment on the ‘Dragon’
Musk’s space company blasted a recycled ‘Dragon capsule, a Falcon rocket into space from Pad39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The five-stage booster landed on their newest ocean platform, aptly called ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’. The capsule carries over 4,800 pounds of experiments and supplies to the Space Station. Also, this includes fresh food like lemons, ice creams, and avocados for the seven astronauts aboard the ISS.
Not just food, the Dragon capsule is also transporting seeds from mouse-ear cress. It is a small plant crucial for genetic research, courtesy of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Solar cells, concretes, and other research materials are also a part of the shipment. Additionally, the Girl Scouts are sending brine shrimp, plants, and ants as test subjects. However, some of the shipments were left back due to delivery delays from the pandemic.
An experimental robotic arm goes to space!
Gitai Inc., a Japanese robot start-up sends a human-sized robotic arm to space. The firm will attempt to screw the items together and initiate its orbital debut. Moreover, the robotic arm will perform mundane chores. However, the first tests will take place inside the International Space Station.
“Future models of Gitai Inc.’s robot will venture out into the vacuum of space to practice satellite and other repair jobs,” said Tomotaka Kozuki, the Chief Technology Officer of the firm. Moreover, by 2025, a group of these robotic arms could play an instrumental role in the construction of the lunar base. Additionally, according to the reports, they can be instrumental in mining the moon for resources.