Astronaut David Saint-Jacques catches SpaceX shipment using Canadarm2
Dragon capsule delivers 2,500 kilogramsof equipment, experiments
A SpaceX shipment arrived at the International Space Station following a weekend launch.
The Dragon capsule reached the orbiting complex Monday, delivering 2,500 kilogramsof equipment and experiments.
Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques used the station's big robot arm known as Canadarm2 to capture the Dragon approximately 400 kilometresabove the north Atlantic Ocean.
An external cable that normally comes off during launch dangled from the capsule, but did not interfere with the grappling.
Checkout this incredible time lapse video of this morning's capture of the @SpaceX Dragon cargo craft by astronaut @Astro_DavidS of @CSA_ASC, backed up by @AstroHague of @NASA. #AskNASA | https://t.co/cBNqC5JGaz pic.twitter.com/IUp0FnpoW2
—@Space_Station
"Welcome on board, Dragon," Saint-Jacques radioed.
Speaking in both English and French, he congratulated ground teams for their help and said he's proud every time the station's 18-metreCanadian robot arm is used in orbit.
"Well done, well captured. Way to make it look easy," Mission Control said.
SpaceX launched the capsule Saturday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the second station visit for this recycled Dragon. It also flew in 2017.
This is SpaceX's 17th delivery to the space station; the first was in 2012. Northrop Grumman is NASA's other shipperits Cygnus cargo ship arrived just two weeks ago.
A behind-the-scenes look from this morning, while I was awaiting the big moment to capture Dragon with Canadarm2. #DareToExplore
Vue des coulisses alors que jattends le grand moment ce matin : attraper le Dragon laide du Canadarm2. #OsezExplorer pic.twitter.com/HGVELWMA0s
—@Astro_DavidS
The Dragon will remain about a month, being filled with science samples for return to Earth. It's the only cargo ship capable of coming back intact.
Besides Saint-Jacques, the space station is home to three Americans and two Russians.