A Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 successfully launched the Dragon CRS-27 cargo craft on its International Space Station (ISS) resupply flight for NASA. The launch took place at 0030 GMT on 15 March from the former Space Shuttle and Saturn V pad LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The launch initially put the spacecraft into a 208 x 194 km orbit 51.6 degrees inclination. The Dragon CRS-27 is carrying about three metric tons of supplies and experiments.
The Dragon CRS-27 spacecraft will raise itself to the ISS orbit in order to rendezvous and dock with it. Also aboard were the cubesats Arksat 1, Lightcubesat, Ex-Alta 2, AuroraSat, YukonSat, NEUDOSE which will be released from the ISS, plus the STP-H9 (a Hosted payload to be attached to the outside of the ISS).
Although it did not return to Florida, there was enough propellant for the reusable first stage B1073, on its seventh flight, to make a partial boost-back burn to land on its drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas closer to the coast.
On its Dragon CRS-27 launch, the Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 rocket’s first stage plume is illuminated just before MECO – Main Engine Cut Off. Courtesy: SpaceX
