SpaceX CRS-18
SpaceX CRS-18, also known as SpX-18, was SpaceX's 18th flight to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services program for NASA. It was launched on 25 July 2019 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
The same Dragon capsule has previously flown to the ISS in April 2015 and December 2017. This was the first time a capsule was used for a third flight.Primary payload
In February 2016, it was announced that NASA had awarded a contract extension to SpaceX for five CRS additional missions.
NASA has contracted for the CRS-18 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date/time of launch, and orbital parameters for the Dragon space capsule. It carried the third International Docking Adapter.
The following is a breakdown of cargo bound for the ISS:
- Science investigations:
- Crew supplies:
- Vehicle hardware:
- Spacewalk equipment:
- Computer resources:
- External payloads: IDA-3
The Dragon spacecraft also featured a handful of ceramic heat shield tiles, meant to flight-test a critical component of the SpaceX Starship spacecraft.
