NASA Targets Early April for Eighth SpaceX Cargo Launch

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Mar 18, 2016, 10:23 ET

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Media accreditation now is open for the April launch of a cargo resupply service mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft is targeted for launch at 4:43 p.m. EDT Friday, April 8.

The Dragon capsule will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida, carrying science research, crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory in support of the Expedition 47 and 48 crews. The flight also includes the Bigelow Aerospace expandable habitat module that will be attached to the space station for testing. In its scheduled return to Earth in May, the Dragon capsule will bring back biological samples from astronauts, including those collected during NASA's one-year mission. This launch is the eighth contracted mission by SpaceX under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

Media prelaunch and launch activities will take place at CCAFS and at nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center. The deadline to apply for media access to Kennedy is 5 p.m., March 24 for non-citizens and 5 p.m. March 31 for U.S. citizens. The registration deadline for international media access to the Air Force station has passed for this event.

All media accreditation requests must be submitted online. International media are required to upload a scanned copy of their visa and passport or green card when submitting their online accreditation request. To apply for media accreditation, visit:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov/#/Home

Media must present two forms of unexpired legal, government identification to access Kennedy. One form must include a photo, such as a passport or driver's license. Questions about accreditation should be directed to Jennifer Horner at [email protected] or 321-867-6598. For other questions or additional information, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468.

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about commercial cargo resupply missions, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialresupply

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SOURCE NASA