SpaceX launches experiments, ice cream to space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A SpaceX capsule rocketed to the International Space Station on Monday, carrying tons of science research, plus ice cream.
As has become customary on these cargo flights, SpaceX landed its leftover booster back at Cape Canaveral shortly after liftoff, a key to its long-term effort to recycle rockets and reduce costs.
“Gorgeous day, spectacular launch,” said Dan Hartman, NASA’s deputy manager of the space station program.
Experiments make up most of the 6,400 pounds of cargo, which should reach the orbiting lab Wednesday. That includes 20 mice that will return alive inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule in about a month.