ISS Crew Prepares To Capture SpaceX Dragon Capsule

By Space Coast Daily // December 15, 2014

launch set for Dec. 19 from cape canaveral

SpaceX Commercial Resupply Launch

NASA – Commander Barry Wilmore and Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti brushed up Friday afternoon on robotics skills necessary to capture an approaching spacecraft with the Canadarm2.

The duo will be inside the Cupola carefully monitoring the SpaceX Dragon as it approaches the International Space Station next week. Wilmore will be at the Canadarm2 controls to capture Dragon. Cristoforetti will be his backup.

LAUNCH INFORMATION

No Earlier Than: Dec. 19, 2014 — 1:20 p.m. Eastern

Mission: Fifth SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services Flight with Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (SpaceX CRS-5)

Description: Launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. SpaceX CRS-5 will deliver cargo and crew supplies to the International Space Station. It will also carry CATS, a laser instrument to measure clouds and the location and distribution of pollution, dust, smoke, and other particulates in the atmosphere.

> Cloud-Aerosol Transport System