SpaceX launches 32nd resupply mission to international space station VIDEO

SpaceX successfully launched its 32nd Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-32) for NASA to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 21.

The uncrewed Cargo Dragon lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 4:15 a.m. EDT (0815 UTC), delivering 6,700 pounds (3,000 kg) of science experiments, supplies, and resupply materials to the ISS, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Nothing like a rocket launch 🔥@SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft lifted off from @NASAKennedy at 4:15am ET (0815 UTC), with @ISS_Research and supplies destined for the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/KvRVhuN8AA

— NASA (@NASA) April 21, 2025

Approximately 9.5 minutes after liftoff, the Cargo Dragon separated from the Falcon 9’s upper stage and began its journey to the space station. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS at the forward port of the Harmony module around 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 UTC) on April 22. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi will oversee the docking operation from inside the station.

The mission holds increased significance after a mishap involving a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo mission earlier this year, which was delayed due to damage sustained during transport. As a result, some science payloads were replaced with food and supplies on CRS-32 to meet the station's immediate needs. Jennifer Buchli, NASA’s ISS Program Chief Scientist, remarked at the pre-launch briefing, “We did have to reshuffle a bit of the manifest to make room for some more food and resupplies for the crew. However, we were able to optimize our cargo on this flight and add some more investigations back in.”

This mission marks the fifth flight of the Cargo Dragon C209, which has previously flown on CRS-22, 24, 27, and 30. SpaceX will also debut “enhanced” drogue parachutes on this flight, designed for smoother deployment when the capsule returns to Earth in about a month. The new parachutes feature stronger joints and ribbons for a more reliable descent.

With delays in other cargo missions, including the introduction of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser and delays in Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus NG-22 mission, CRS-32 serves as a vital resupply mission for the ISS as NASA prepares for future launches.

By Vafa Guliyeva