NASA Highlights Climate Research on Cargo Launch, Sets Coverage
Riding aboard will be EMIT, a mission developed at JPL to identify the composition of airborne mineral dust from Earth’s arid regions and analyze its effects on climate.
NASA and SpaceX are targeting 8:44 p.m. EDT (5:44 p.m. PDT) Thursday, July 14, to launch the agency’s next investigation to monitor climate change to the International Space Station. The mission, NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), will fly aboard SpaceX’s 25th commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory.SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew, including a new climate research investigation.Live coverage will air on NASA Television, theNASA app, and the agency’swebsite, with prelaunch events starting Wednesday, July 13.Dragon will carry more than 5,800 pounds of cargo, including a variety of NASAinvestigationslike EMIT, which will identify the composition of mineral dust from Earth’s arid regions and analyze dust carried through the atmosphere from deserts to see what effects it has on the planet, further advancing NASA’s data contributions to monitoring climate change.Get the Latest JPL NewsSUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTEROtherinvestigationsinclude studying the aging of immune cells and the potential to reverse those effects during postflight recovery; a CubeSat that will monitor cloud top and ocean surface temperatures, which could help scientists understand Earth’s climate and weather systems; and a student experiment testing a concrete alternative for potential use in future lunar and Martian habitats.Arrival to the station is scheduled for approximately 11:20 a.m. EDT on Saturday, July 16. Dragon will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’sHarmony module, with NASA astronautsJessica WatkinsandBob Hinesmonitoring operations from the station.The spacecraft is expected to spend about a month attached to the orbiting outpost before it returns to Earth with research and return cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.Full coverage of this mission is as follows (all times Eastern). Coverage is subject to change based on real-time operational activities. Follow the International Space Stationblogfor updates.Wednesday, July 132 p.m. – Climate Conversation on NASA TV with the following participants:Kate Calvin, NASA chief scientist and climate advisorHeidi Parris, associate scientist, International Space Station Program, NASAMike Roberts, chief scientist, ISS National LabRob Green, JPL senior research scientist and EMIT principal investigatorPaula do Vale Pereira, BeaverCube, Massachusetts Institute of Technology8 p.m. – Prelaunch media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:Dana Weigel, deputy program manager, International Space Station Program, NASAHeidi Parris, associate scientist, International Space Station Program, NASASpaceX representativeLaunch weather officer representative, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather SquadronThe teleconference will stream live at:https://www.nasa.gov/liveThursday, July 148:15 p.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins8:44 p.m. – Launch9:30 p.m. – Postlaunch media teleconferenceDina Contella, operations integration manager, International Space Station Program, NASASpaceX representativeThe teleconference will livestream on the agency’s website at:https://www.nasa.gov/liveSaturday, July 1610 a.m. – NASA TV coverage begins for Dragon docking to space station11:20 a.m. (approximately) – DockingNASA TV launch coverageLive coverage of the launch on NASA TV will begin at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, July 14. For downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:https://www.nasa.gov/nasatvNASA website launch coverageLaunch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASAwebsite. Coverage will include livestreaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 8 p.m. Thursday, July 14, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at: 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at:https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacexcrs25/Attend the launch virtuallyMembers of the public canregisterto attend this launch virtually. Registrants will receive mission updates and activities by email. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities, and a virtual guestpassportstamp following a successful launch.Watch and engage on social mediaLet people know you’re following the mission on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Dragon and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:Twitter:@NASA,@NASAKennedy,@NASASocial,@Space_Station,@ISS_Research,@ISS National Lab,Facebook:NASA,NASAKennedy,ISS,ISS National LabInstagram:@NASA,@NASAKennedy,@ISS,@ISSNationalLabLearn more about NASA’s SpaceX resupply missions at:https://www.nasa.gov/spacexPara obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo at: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov or 321-501-8425.