SpaceX Dragon Departs ISS After 33rd Resupply Mission

The cargo spacecraft carried over 5,000 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware for NASA.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:58am

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A SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, carrying more than 5,000 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware for NASA's SpaceX CRS-33 mission, departed the International Space Station on February 26, 2026 after an automated docking to the Harmony module's forward port on August 25, 2025. The Dragon spacecraft performed six reboost maneuvers during its time docked to the station to help maintain the ISS's altitude and counter atmospheric drag.

Why it matters

The SpaceX resupply missions are critical for delivering scientific experiments, crew supplies, and other essential equipment to the International Space Station, which has hosted continuous human presence for over 25 years. The research and technology demonstrations conducted on the ISS advance scientific knowledge and help overcome challenges for future deep space exploration.

The details

The Dragon spacecraft carried a variety of scientific investigations, including the Euro Material Ageing study that exposed 141 samples to space for a year to examine how coatings, insulation, and 3D-printed materials degrade, and Thailand's Liquid Crystals experiment that observed the stability of films used in electronics in microgravity. Other experiments included the Stellar Stem Cells Mission 2, which is helping study how microgravity affects brain and heart stem cell growth, and the SpaceDuino project that tested a low-cost instrument for measuring vibrations using commercial hardware and open-source software.

  • The Dragon spacecraft arrived at the station on August 25, 2025, following its launch a day earlier on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
  • The Dragon spacecraft autonomously undocked from the Harmony module's forward-facing port at 12:05 p.m. EST on February 26, 2026.
  • Splashdown was scheduled for approximately 11:44 p.m. PST on February 26, 2026 off the California coast.

The players

SpaceX

A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

International Space Station

A modular space station in low Earth orbit, and the largest permanent human-made body in low Earth orbit.

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The takeaway

The successful completion of the 33rd SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station demonstrates the continued importance of public-private partnerships in advancing space exploration and scientific research in microgravity. The diverse array of experiments and technology demonstrations aboard the Dragon spacecraft will contribute to our understanding of the space environment and pave the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.