The SpaceX operated Dragon CRS-28 cargo ship on behalf of NASA was launched by a Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 rocket at 1547 GMT on 5 June 2023 on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A.
Update on 6 June: Dragon CRS-28 docked with the ISS docking port IDA-3 at 0954 GMT on 6 June 2023. Time from Jonathan McDowell.
Dragon CRS-28 loading. Courtesy: NASA
Apart from food and stores the spacecraft was carrying a new set of IROSA solar arrays for the ISS. Dragon CRS-28 was initially placed into a 407 x 402 km low Earth orbit at an inclination of 51.7 degrees. The Falcon 9’s reusable first stage B1077 on its fifth flight landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone barge down range in the Atlantic. There were also six cubesats aboard which will be released from the ISS: Moonlighter, Essence, Iris, RADSAT-SK, SC-ODIN and Ukpik 1.
Falcon 9v1.2FT launches Dragon CRS-28. Courtesy: SpaceX
