SpaceX vehicle to depart ISS for California water landing: How to watch NASA coverage
SpaceX vehicle to depart ISS for California water landing: How to watch NASA coverage NASA will provide live coverage as the uncrewed SpaceX Dragon begins its return voyage Thursday, May 22
A SpaceX vehicle that has spent about a month docked at the International Space Station on a resupply mission is due to depart within a matter of hours.
NASA will provide live coverage as the uncrewed spacecraft begins its return voyage Thursday, May 22. The Dragon capsule, developed by Elon Musk's commercial spaceflight company to deliver cargo and crews to the orbital outpost, will then embark on a long voyage ending with a splashdown landing Friday, May 23, off the coast of California.
The vehicle arrived in April with plenty of food, equipment and other supplies for the seven astronauts currently living aboard the station. And it's not leaving emptyhanded: When it undocks, it will be loaded up with scientific research samples and hardware bound for Earth.
Here's what to know about the resupply mission and how to watch the U.S. space agency's coverage of the Dragon's departure:
What is the International Space Station?
For 25 years, the International Space Station has been stationed in low-Earth orbit, typically about 250 miles high, where it has been home to astronauts from all over the world.
The orbital laboratory is operated through a global partnership of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
More than 280 spacefarers from 23 countries have visited the International Space Station, including 169 from the United States alone, according to NASA. Bigger than a six-bedroom house, the outpost has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym and a 360-degree view bay window.
As of now, seven members of Expedition 73, including three Americans, are living aboard the ISS – conducting scientific research and working to maintain the station.
SpaceX Dragon to depart from ISS
The crew members aboard the station spent time Wednesday, May 21, loading and securing a variety of cargo inside the Dragon spacecraft ahead of its scheduled departure.
The Dragon has spent 30 days docked to the Harmony module, a port and passageway onto the station facing away from Earth, after arriving April 22 with nearly 6,700 pounds of supplies. The spacecraft launched April 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, for SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission.
Standing nearly 27 feet tall and about 13 feet wide, the Dragon is one of four cargo spacecraft that deliver science experiments and other cargo to the space station on a regular basis. Dragon capsules can also carry up to seven astronauts into orbit, though most of SpaceX's Crew missions, which are contracted with NASA, feature a contingent of four.
The Dragon is due to undock at about 12:05 p.m. ET Thursday, May 22, from the Harmony module before firing its thrusters to move away from the station. The departure will be under command by SpaceX's Mission Control in Hawthorne, California.
NASA to stream coverage of SpaceX vehicle undocking
NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking beginning at 11:45 a.m. ET Thursday on its streaming service, NASA+.
SpaceX capsule to land off California coast
After re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft will splash down on Friday, May 23, off the coast of California. While NASA will post updates on the agency's space station blog, it will not provide a livestream of the water landing.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
What does lightning look like from space? See stunning photos from NASA astronauts on ISS
It's safe to say that most of us have seen lightning here on Earth plenty of times – some of us have even been struck by it. But the natural phenomenon is one all but a few select individuals will ever have the chance to see from the vantage of 250 miles in orbit. Fortunately, a few astronauts over the years have been more than willing to generously share a glimpse of crashing lightning as seen from outer space. And you better believe it looks nothing like what we're used to seeing from the ground. The latest images of sky-splitting lightning came courtesy of two NASA astronauts who reached the International Space Station together in March after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. In May, Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain posted photos on social media site X of lightning roiling far, far beneath them. "This is what lightning looks like from the top down," McClain said in a post shared May 21. Here's a closer look at just what they managed to capture from above Earth's atmosphere. The images McClain and Ayers shared show electrostatic discharges – in other words, lightning – from above the clouds as they orbited in the International Space Station. In Ayers' post on X, she said she first observed lightning May 1 while suited up for a spacewalk outside the orbital outpost. She then managed to capture a few photos the next day, which she shared May 5. "I am so amazed by the view we have up here of our Earth's weather systems," Ayers posted. While it was unclear what part of Earth the lightning was striking in Ayers' photos, McClain said her images were captured over Alabama and Georgia. "Fast and furious, but also an incredible sight!" McClain said. The photos not only reveal the chaotic beauty of lightning, but could provide valuable orbital data to scientists studying the phenomenon back on Earth. The photos were captured at speeds of 120 frames per second, with the depicted flashes only taking up one frame. The technique was pioneered by veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who is renowned for his astral photography. Pettit, who had arrived in September 2024 for his third and most recent space station stint, departed April 19, 2025, with two cosmonauts before safely landing in Kazakhstan on his 70th birthday. Ayers and McClain, who also recently made headlines for completing a rare all-female spacewalk, are among seven people living at the International Space Station. The crew of Expedition 73 includes three Americans, three Russian cosmonauts and one Japanese spacefarer from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa.) McClain and Ayers are both part of a SpaceX mission known as Crew-10 that reached the space station in March 2025. Their arrival with JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov paved the way for the NASA astronauts who crewed the doomed Boeing Starliner to depart with the Crew-9 mission. Also at the station is NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who reached the outpost in April 2025 with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Images: Lightning in space from NASA astronauts on ISS
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Tuurny Announces Breakthrough in AI-Powered PCB Repair Automation, Backed by NASA-Funded Grant Through SATOP
06/04/2025, College Station, TX // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Tuurny, a robotics and AI company specializing in advanced automation systems for electronics repair, has announced the development of a groundbreaking AI assistant designed to detect and guide repairs for faults on printed circuit boards (PCBs). The innovation stems from a year-long collaboration with undergraduate and graduate engineering teams at Texas A&M University and has been made possible through a NASA-funded grant administered by the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP). Tuurny's proprietary platform combines computer vision and a custom large language model (LLM) to create a truly intelligent assistant—capable of analyzing standard photos and videos of PCBs to detect faults, assess repair viability, and deliver step-by-step guidance to technicians. The system continuously monitors progress through real-time visual feedback and allows for dynamic technician interaction, enabling both trainees and professionals to perform complex repairs with precision and confidence. 'With the support of local leaders like Jose Quintana from AdventGX, organizations such as the Greater Brazos Partnership, and technical advisors from engineering firms like TStar, we've been able to turn high-concept ideas into working solutions,' said Sina Ghashghaei, CEO of Tuurny. 'These partnerships have laid the foundation for building companies that not only push the frontier of innovation but also create local jobs in national security-critical industries.' Strategic Impact on Aerospace and Defense Tuurny's technology is particularly relevant to the aerospace and defense sectors, where legacy systems often rely on hard-to-source PCBs and where the cost of system downtime can be measured in strategic risk. By enabling rapid, AI-assisted diagnostics and repair—without the need for highly specialized human labor—Tuurny offers a scalable solution for maintaining, extending, and securing mission-critical infrastructure. The company's tools are also designed with onshoring in mind, reducing dependence on foreign repair supply chains and bolstering U.S. capabilities in microelectronics, avionics, and battlefield electronics. As the U.S. pushes for greater self-reliance in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, Tuurny is building the support layer for a new generation of resilient, intelligent, and automated repair systems. Media Contact: Sina Ghashghaei CEO, Tuurny Robotics [email protected] [ ]
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Why ‘Life's Essential 8' is the ‘roadmap' to living longer — and being healthier into old age
Cardiovascular disease doesn't just break hearts — it stops them. The nation's top killer claimed one in five American deaths in 2022, but experts say a few smart moves could keep your name off that list. 'Adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s seeking a roadmap for cardiovascular health are encouraged to look at the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8,' Dr. Matthew Tomey, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, told The Post. Advertisement 7 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Reese Coop/ – But no matter your age, the path to a stronger heart is still wide open. 'Today is the day that you can get on track,' Tomey said. 'Even if you have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease that runs in your family, your choices still matter!' These are the eight essential steps to keep your ticker in top shape so that you can live a longer and healthier life. Advertisement #1: Improve your diet 'The more plants the better,' Dr. Sanjai Sinha, an internist at The Health Center at Hudson Yards, told The Post. 'The Mediterranean diet is the most effective diet with the best data.' That diet, shaped by the eating habits of 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, focuses on nutrient-packed whole grains, fresh produce, legumes, nuts, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and plenty of antioxidant-rich olive oil. The science backs it up: A 2023 analysis out of the University of Sydney found that women who followed the Mediterranean diet cut their risk of heart disease and early death by nearly 25%. Advertisement Other research suggests it lowers key risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. 7 Certain foods can raise your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and contribute to inflammation. Monstar Studio – #2: Get moving 'The data behind exercise in reducing inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, cancer, and dementia are all strong,' Sinha said. In fact, research suggests that a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for heart disease and stroke to levels on par with cigarette smoking. Advertisement Despite this, government data shows that only 28% of Americans are meeting the CDC's physical activity guidlines. 7 Even small amounts of exercise can give your heart health a major boost. bongkarn – The agency recommends that US adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activities. 'Even if you can't 'exercise', movement regularly, including at least 5 minutes out of every 30 you're sitting in front of a screen, is crucial,' Sinha said. #3: Quit tobacco Tobacco use is trending down, but as of 2022, nearly 29 million Americans were still smoking cigarettes. The CDC estimates that smoking is to blame for 1 in 4 deaths rom cardiovascular disease — amounting to 140,000 lives lost each year to heart-related illness tied directly to cigarettes. 7 Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. emiphoto111 – Advertisement Studies show that smoking blood vessels, promotes dangerous plaque buildup in the arteries, reduces oxygen flow to vital organs, and drives up blood pressure, heart rate and clot risk. And it's not just smokers at risk — secondhand smoke exposure also increases the odds of major health problems like heart attack and stroke. #4: Get enough sleep Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye a night to stay sharp and protect their health. Advertisement But about a third of U.S. adults — and a staggering three-quarters of high schoolers — aren't getting enough sleep, according to the CDC. That can give your heart a big beating. 7 Not getting enough sleep will do more than leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Getty Images/iStockphoto Too little sleep can trigger a fight-or-flight response in the body, driving up heart rate and blood pressure. It also fuels inflammation and messes with hormones — both of which can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease. Advertisement 'See a doctor if you're having trouble getting to or staying asleep,' Sinha told The Post. It could be a sign that you have a sleep disorder, which can also negatively impact your heart health. #5: Manage your weight More than 2 in 5 US adults are living with obesity, along with 1 in 5 children and adolescents, according to the CDC. And it's not just a cosmetic concern. Excess weight puts a major strain on the heart, potentially leading to high blood pressure, plaque buildup, irregular heartbeat and other problems that can damage both the muscle and blood vessels. 7 Obesity rates have been steadily rising in the US in recent decades. Prostock-studio – Advertisement 'You will gain weight, and gain fat more than muscle, if you don't focus on eating well and exercising while you're in your forties and older,' Sinha warned. But too little weight isn't great for your heart either. The American Heart Association (AHA) considers a healthy BMI to be under 25 — and anything under 18.5 to be underweight. #6, 7 and 8: Control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels High cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar are silent killers — and all three are major drivers of heart disease. 7 Simple interventions, like high blood pressure medication, can make a big difference when it comes to your heart health. Natee Meepian – Left unchecked, they can damage the arteries that supply blood to your heart and brain, weaken the heart muscle and lead to deadly consequences. 'The key about these last 3 is that you have to get to your primary care doctor regularly to know what these numbers are,' Sinha said. And no, that doesn't mean urgent care. Unlike the first five lifestyle changes in the AHA's 'Life's Essential 8,' Sinha noted that these three risk factors can often be addressed quickly with medication while you work on long-term fixes. 'These 3 factors, when uncontrolled, will lead to a shortened lifespan through increased risk for diabetes, heart attacks and strokes,' he said. 'They will also play a role in increasing your risk for cancer,' Sinha added.
