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    1. Space Exploration
    2. Private Spaceflight

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

    News
    By Space.com Staff published 4 June 2019

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    SpaceX launched its 17th cargo resupply mission 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 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 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. 

    Page 1 of 19
    Page 1 of 19

    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

    Page 2 of 19
    Page 2 of 19

    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 

    Page 3 of 19
    Page 3 of 19

    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 

    Page 4 of 19
    Page 4 of 19

    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 crew.

    Full Story: SpaceX Dragon Delivers NASA Cargo to Space Station 

    Page 5 of 19
    Page 5 of 19

    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  

    Page 6 of 19
    Page 6 of 19

    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  

    Page 7 of 19
    Page 7 of 19

    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  

    Page 8 of 19
    Page 8 of 19

    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  

    Page 9 of 19
    Page 9 of 19

    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  

    Page 10 of 19
    Page 10 of 19

    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  

    Page 11 of 19
    Page 11 of 19

    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  

    Page 12 of 19
    Page 12 of 19

    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  

    Page 13 of 19
    Page 13 of 19

    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  

    Page 14 of 19
    Page 14 of 19

    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 

    Page 15 of 19
    Page 15 of 19

    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 

    Page 16 of 19
    Page 16 of 19

    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

    Page 17 of 19
    Page 17 of 19

    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

    Page 18 of 19
    Page 18 of 19

    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.

    Page 19 of 19
    Page 19 of 19
    Space.com Staff
    Space.com Staff
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    News and editorial team

    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. 

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