SpaceX Cargo Dragon set to launch to ISS no earlier than October 13
In short
A SpaceX Cargo Dragon cargo ship is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station no earlier than October 13, TASS and RIA Novosti reported. Interfax, citing NASA, said the CRS-35 mission will fly on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The outlets give different cargo figures: TASS says more than 2.8 tonnes, Interfax about 2.3 tonnes.
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A SpaceX Cargo Dragon cargo ship is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station no earlier than October 13, Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported. Interfax, citing NASA, said the reusable ship will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket under the CRS-35 mission from Launch Complex 40 at the US Space Force base at Cape Canaveral, Florida. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The agencies gave different figures for the cargo. TASS said the ship will deliver more than 2.8 tonnes, including materials for research into how microgravity affects the functioning of heart tissue. Interfax said it will carry about 2.3 tonnes of food, as well as equipment and materials for dozens of scientific experiments by the station's crew. [ 1 , 3 ]
According to Interfax, the ship will also bring the final pair of new-generation IROSA roll-out solar arrays to be installed on the station. Their installation will complete an upgrade of the power supply system needed for critical ISS operations, including the station's safe and controlled deorbit, planned for late 2030, the agency said. [ 3 ]
The launch is carried out under a contract between NASA and SpaceX to resupply the orbital laboratory. Interfax said Cargo Dragon is the only ISS supply ship able to return cargo to Earth, splashing down in the ocean. From October 2012 to August 2025 SpaceX carried out 34 Cargo Dragon launches to the ISS; one of them, in 2015, failed because of a Falcon 9 accident, the agency reported. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Interfax reported the ship will carry the last pair of new-generation IROSA solar arrays, whose installation completes an upgrade of the station's power system. The outlet said that upgrade is needed for critical station operations, including its controlled deorbit planned for late 2030.
Key facts
- A Cargo Dragon cargo ship is due to launch to the ISS no earlier than October 13. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The CRS-35 mission is to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at the US Space Force base at Cape Canaveral, Florida, Interfax reported, citing NASA. [ 3 ]
- TASS reported the ship will deliver more than 2.8 tonnes of cargo, including materials to study how microgravity affects heart tissue. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reported the ship will carry about 2.3 tonnes of food, equipment and materials for dozens of scientific experiments. [ 3 ]
- The ship will carry the final pair of new-generation IROSA roll-out solar arrays to be installed on the station, according to Interfax. [ 3 ]
- The launch is carried out under a NASA contract with SpaceX to resupply the station. [ 3 ]
- From October 2012 to August 2025 SpaceX carried out 34 Cargo Dragon launches to the ISS, one of which failed in 2015 because of a Falcon 9 accident, Interfax said. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How much cargo the ship will carry. TASS reported more than 2.8 tonnes, while Interfax reported about 2.3 tonnes.
- Whether October 13 is a firm date. TASS and RIA Novosti say no earlier than October 13; Interfax gives October 13 as the planned date.
- Research into the effect of microgravity on heart tissue as part of the cargo. Only TASS mentions this, in its feed summary.