Falcon 9 Block 5 | Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Set to Launch Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35 Mission to ISS

On August 31, 2026, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 35th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), designated Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35. This flight, utilizing the reliable Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, underscores the ongoing partnership between NASA and private industry in sustaining human presence in low Earth orbit. As part of NASA's second Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-2) contract, the mission will deliver essential supplies, scientific experiments, and hardware to support the ISS crew and their research endeavors.

The primary objective of SpX-35 is to transport a diverse array of cargo via the Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft, which is designed for uncrewed resupply operations. This variant of the Dragon capsule can carry up to 6,000 kilograms of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, including food, water, clothing, and spare parts for the station's life support systems. Payload capabilities extend to advanced scientific instruments and experiments, such as those investigating microgravity's effects on human health, materials science, and biological processes. For instance, previous CRS missions have delivered payloads like the Cold Atom Lab for quantum physics research or plant growth facilities to study sustainable agriculture in space. SpX-35 is expected to include critical materials for ongoing investigations, potentially encompassing biotechnology tools or Earth observation sensors, directly enabling breakthroughs that could benefit fields like medicine and environmental monitoring back on Earth. The Dragon's autonomous docking system allows it to berth with the ISS without crew intervention, remaining attached for about a month before returning with research samples and waste.

At the heart of this mission is the Falcon 9 Block 5, SpaceX's workhorse launch vehicle. Standing 70 meters tall with a diameter of 3.7 meters, the two-stage rocket is powered by nine Merlin 1D engines in its first stage, generating over 7.6 million newtons of thrust at liftoff. The second stage features a single vacuum-optimized Merlin engine for orbital insertion. Block 5 enhancements include improved thermal protection, stronger landing legs, and titanium grid fins for reusability, allowing the first stage to land vertically on drone ships or ground pads. This design prioritizes cost-efficiency, with each Block 5 booster capable of up to 10 or more flights after refurbishment. The rocket's payload capacity to low Earth orbit is approximately 22,800 kilograms