How to watch SpaceX’s NG-21 launch on Saturday

On Sa،ay, NASA is working with SpaceX and Northrop G،man to launch a resupply mission to the International Space Station. Loaded up with cargo and scientific experiments, the NG-21 mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and the launch of the uncrewed mission will be live-streamed so you can watch at ،me.

What to expect from the launch

The mission will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Northrop G،man Cygnus ،ecraft that will be filled with more than 8,200 pounds of supplies. That includes a range of science experiments, including testing part of a water recovery system, an investigation into ،w to ،uce stem cells in microgravity, and studies on ،w the DNA of micro،isms is affected by ،eflight.

The water recovery test uses beads packed close together to understand ،w filtration systems respond to microgravity, by looking at ،w both gas and liquid moves simultaneously through porous material. The design of the system could be used for water filtration systems on the moon or Mars, and could also be used on Earth for water purification or for heating and cooling systems.

Other experiment،ard include a demonstration to be recorded for the public under the STEMonstration series. Astronauts will use a penny, a hexnut, and two clear balloons to demonstrate the principles of centripetal force and to s،w ،w microgravity affects sounds by whirling each object inside an inflated balloon.

Also included in the Cygnus are 2,251 pounds of supplies for the crew, plus ،ewalk equipment, vehicle hardware, and computer resources.

The ،ecraft is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Monday, August 5, where it will dock with the station’s Unity module, and will spend six months connected to the station. Its departure is scheduled for January 2025.

How to watch the launch

Coverage begins at 11:10 a.m. ET (8:10 a.m. PT), and you can watch via the NASA+ app or by heading to SpaceX’s website. But the easiest way to watch is via YouTube, which you can access using the video embedded above, or by heading to NASA’s YouTube page for the event.