CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX successfully launched its 24th resupply mission to the International Space Station early Tuesday.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:07 a.m. amid cloudy conditions on the Space Coast.

A successful rocket booster return followed the launch.


What You Need To Know

  • SpaceX launched resupply mission to International Space Station

  • Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 5:07 a.m. Tuesday 

  • Delivering 6,500 pounds of supplies to ISS 

  • Launch schedule 

The Dragon capsule is carrying 6,500 pounds of cargo and equipment. This is the fifth Dragon flight to the ISS and this one is carrying some holiday treats for the crew

According to NASA, the cargo Dragon will deliver various items to the ISS, including a protein crystal growth study that could improve the delivery of cancer treatment drugs, a handheld bio-printer that will test technology that could one day be used to print tissue directly on wounds to accelerate healing, experiments from students at several universities, and an investigation from the makers of "Tide" that studies detergent efficacy in microgravity.

These investigations lead to new technology, medical treatments, and products that improve life on Earth.

NASA calls the ISS the springboard to exploration, including future missions to Mars under Artemis and eventually Mars.