A Falcon 9 sends the CRS-12 mission toward the International Space Station. This was the last new first-generation Dragon capsule. Photo Credit: Michael Deep \/ SpaceFlight Insider <\/p>\n
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. On Aug. 14, 2017, SpaceX sent its last new first-generation Dragon capsule into space atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The CRS-12 mission carried more than 6,400 pounds (2,900 kilograms) of equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. <\/p>\n
Liftoff took place at 12:31 p.m. EDT (16:31 GMT) from Launch Complex 39A. Some 2.5 minutes later, the Falcon 9s nine first-stage Merlin 1D engines cut off as planned. The first stage then separated from the second stage. <\/p>\n
While the second stage continued on toward orbit, the first stage performed a series of maneuvers that put it on a course back to Florida. <\/p>\n
Just over seven minutes after launch, the first stage heralded its return to the Cape Canaveral area with a triple-sonic boom. Its successful landing marked the sixth time the company has done so on land, the 14th overall. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the second stage successfully placed the Dragon capsule in an initial orbit. Some 36 hours later, the vehicle would rendezvous with the space station. <\/p>\n
The following photos were taken by the SpaceFlight Insider visual team. <\/p>\n
Tagged: CRS-12 Dragon Falcon 9 International Space Station Kennedy Space Center SpaceX The Range <\/p>\n
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Gallery: SpaceX launches CRS-12 into space, lands Falcon 9 first stage - SpaceFlight Insider<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A Falcon 9 sends the CRS-12 mission toward the International Space Station. Continue reading