Space Mission Brings Holiday Cheer and Wooden Satellite to Space Station

A SpaceX rocket took off from Florida on a Monday evening, carrying an unpiloted Dragon cargo ship. This ship is headed to the International Space Station (ISS) with essentials like food, supplies, and even some holiday treats for the crew. The launch happened from the historic Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, making quite the spectacle with its powerful thrust. The first stage of the rocket returned to Earth for a successful landing, marking SpaceX's 57th booster recovery in Florida. Following liftoff, the Dragon will rendezvous with the ISS on Tuesday morning. One of the unique payloads on board is Lignosat, a wooden satellite built by Kyoto University and Sumitomo, which aims to test the durability of wood in space. The mission also includes a solar wind monitor and various scientific experiments. One experiment, ARTEMOSS, will study the effects of space radiation on Antarctic moss. Another experiment, provided by the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, will test cold welding technology for spacecraft repairs. The Dragon is expected to stay docked at the ISS for about a month before returning to Earth with old station components and trash. This mission is part of SpaceX's contract with NASA to eventually deorbit the ISS safely.