NASA’s SpaceX 33rd Resupply mission launches with over 5,000 pounds of supplies
NASA’s SpaceX 33rd Commercial Resupply mission launched a SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft at 6:45 AM UTC on August 24 from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Carried by a Falcon 9 rocket, the spacecraft has now docked at the space station’s Harmony module.
This resupply mission carries materials for critical experiments that could help support future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. Among the experiments are Microgravity Associated Bone Loss-B (MABL-B), 3D metal printing, liver tissue bioprinting, and bioprinting of implantable nerve devices.
Microgravity Associated Bone Loss-B (MABL-B) aims to prevent the bone loss astronauts experience in space by blocking the signaling pathway of the protein IL-6. 3D metal printing could help missions produce their own tools and parts in space, as situations may demand. This will limit the need for constant resupply from Earth, as these services may not be feasible during long-duration missions. The cargo also includes materials for tissue bioprinting research.
Bioprinting of liver tissue with blood vessels could be crucial in maintaining astronauts’ health during long-duration missions. This experiment has already kicked off on the ground. Researchers are now trying to find out if microgravity in space improves the development of the bioprinted tissue. Another interesting one is the research on bioprinted nerve devices.
Bioprinted implantable nerve devices could help treat nerve injuries faster. The InSPA-Auxilium Bioprinter is used for this printing. Researchers believe that the effects of microgravity may allow for the production of higher-quality devices on the ISS compared to Earth. NASA hopes to print up to 18 of these implants on this mission.
The spacecraft for this mission also contains a boost kit to help maintain the space station’s altitude. The spacecraft is expected to remain docked at the ISS until December, when it will return research samples and cargo to Earth.
