SpaceX's Amazing Dragon CRS-17 NASA Cargo Launch (and Landing!) in Photos

SpaceX launched its 17th cargo resupply mission (opens in new tab) to the International Space Station on May 6, 2019. The Dragon cargo spacecraft arrived at the station two days later and docked at the Harmony module, where it remained for one month before returning to Earth (opens in new tab) with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on June 3.

The Dragon delivered more than 5,500 lbs. (2,495 kilograms) of supplies and science experiments (opens in new tab) for the six-person crew of Expedition 59, and it returned to Earth with 2,269 lbs. (1,029 kg) of completed science experiments that will head to various labs on Earth for analysis.

Here, a long-exposure photo captures the brilliant predawn launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket (left) and the return to Earth of its first-stage booster.

Although SpaceX is famous for reusing its rocket boosters and capsules, the company used a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket for this mission. However, it was the second flight of this particular Dragon capsule.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaks into space carrying the Dragon CRS-17 cargo ship to the International Space Station for NASA on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon cargo ship on the CRS-17 cargo delivery mission for NASA from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

A dazzling view of the nine Merlin engines of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching a Dragon cargo ship into orbit for NASA's CRS-17 cargo mission to the International Space Station on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft approaches the International Space Station's Harmony module as astronauts maneuver the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture it. The Dragon arrived at the station on May 6, 2019 carrying about 5,500 lbs. (2,495 kilograms) of supplies and science experiments for the Expedition 59 (opens in new tab) crew.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon cargo ship makes its second trip to the International Space Station for NASA on the CRS-17 mission in this view captured during rendezvous operations on May 6, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

A SpaceX Dragon cargo ship begins its second spaceflight as it separates from a Falcon 9 rocket after a successful launch to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station

An infrared view of the first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it returns to Earth for a drone ship landing after launching the Dragon CRS-17 cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster is seen on the deck of the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean, about 12 miles offshore from Florida, after a successful landing following the Dragon CRS-17 cargo mission launch for NASA on May 4, 2019.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

SpaceX's Dragon capsule departs the International Space Station on June 3, 2019. NASA astronaut Christina Koch, an Expedition 59 flight engineer aboard the station, snapped this photo of Dragon before its departure.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth After Space Station Cargo Delivery (opens in new tab)

SpaceX's Dragon capsule departs the International Space Station on June 3, 2019. Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques of Expedition 59 captured this view of the spacecraft while the Canadarm2 robotic arm was releasing the vessel into space.

Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth After Space Station Cargo Delivery

SpaceX's twice-flown Dragon space capsule is retrieved by a SpaceX recovery team after a successful splashdown on June 3, 2019, ending the CRS-17 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA.

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.

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.