SpaceX launches cargo spacecraft to ISS

By Davut Demircan

ANKARA (AA) - U.S.-based rocket and spacecraft company SpaceX has launched the Dragon cargo vessel to the International Space Station (ISS).

According to the statement by NASA released late on Friday, Dragon will deliver nearly 2 tons of cargo and science investigations.

The cargo spacecraft launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida also included a new science facility scheduled to be installed to the outside of the station during a spacewalk this spring.

The spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at the orbital outpost on Monday, March 9.

Dragon will join three other spacecraft currently at the station.

"Dragon is scheduled to remain at the space station until April 9, when the spacecraft will return to Earth with research and cargo," added the statement.

The delivery is to be SpaceX's 20th successful cargo flight to the space station on behalf of NASA.