Up, Up and Away
In the early hours of June 29. 2018 a a Dragon spacecraft atop a reused SpaceX Falcon 9 ascends into the sky. The 15th Commercial Resupply Services mission carries supplies and payloads to the International Space Station.
Liftoff of Falcon 9!
A view from Space Launch Complex 40 as SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket begins the CRS-15 Dragon resupply mission for NASA.
Billowing Plume
Exhaust blooms into a billowing cloud in this view of SpaceX's Falcon 9 lifting off from its pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Meeting the Sunrise
Just before dawn at Launch Complex 40, SpaceX's Falcon 9 carries supplies to the ISS.
SpaceX CRS-15 Stage Separation
SpaceX's predawn launch of a used Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon on June 29, 2018 created dazzling views from the ground like this one, captured during stage separation.
SpaceX Launches CRS-15
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida before dawn on June 29, 2018. It was the second flight to space for the Dragon and Falcon 9 first stage.
Dragon CRS-15 Separation
SpaceX's Dragon cargo ship separates from its Falcon 9 upper stage after a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on June 29, 2018. It is Dragon's cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.
Dragon Wings Unfurl
Every Dragon needs its wings and SpaceX's is no different. Here, a solar wing is seen just after unfolding from Dragon, with the Earth as a stunning backdrop, following launch on June 28, 2018.
A Recycled Booster
The Falcon 9 rocket first stage used to launch SpaceX's Dragon CRS-15 mission flew just over two months earlier. On April 2, 2018, it was used to launch NASA's TESS exoplanet-seeking mission. The CRS-15 launch marked the final flight for the booster, and the final flight of SpaceX's Block 4 Falcon 9 design. A new version, the Block 5, will be used for all upcoming flights.
Dragon's Return to Space
The Dragon used on CRS-15 has also flown in space before. In July 2016, it was used to fly SpaceX's CRS-9 cargo mission to the International Space Station (shown here as it arrived on July 20 of that year). SpaceX Dragon mission management director Jessica Jensen said SpaceX hopes to fly its Dragon spacecraft up to three times. So this Dragon could fly another time!
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
