SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is now cleared to go on March 30 after experts confirm that the contamination detected earlier this month has no significant risk on the spacecraft's communications and imaging payloads.
The original launch date of March 16 was postponed after a routine check showed that the spacecraft has contaminations in the form of petroleum stains. The stains were found on thermal blankets and engineers feared that these might damage the sensitive part of the camera and optical communications equipment loaded in the spacecraft.
"After careful review and analysis, engineering teams representing both the ISS and SpaceX have determined Dragon is ready to fly 'as-is.' All parties agree that the particular constituents observed in Dragon's trunk are in line with the previously defined environments levels and do not impose additional risk to the payloads," SpaceX told SpaceFlight.
The Dragon is bound to the International Space Station (ISS)and will be launched off from the Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad.
It is expected to deliver 1,576 pounds of equipment for research, 499 pounds of vehicle parts, 1,049 pounds of supplies for the crew, and 271 pounds of tools for spacewalk.
The Dragon also carries the Optical Payload for LasercommScience (OPALS) equipment which will be used to test a laser communications link between the ground antenna mounted on Wrightwood, CL., and ISS. This system is expected to transfer data faster than the usual radio systems. OPALS will be used for 90 days and will be attached to the logistics carrier of the ISS's truss.
Another equipment carried by the Dragon is the High-Definition Earth (HDEV) Viewing camera. This will be mounted on the platform outside the Columbus laboratory module of the European Space Agency. The HDEV was developed by engineers from the Johnsons Space Center in Houston and will be used to stream live video feed of the Earth from space.
