Followed by an issue detected on the International Space Station's Main Bus Distribution Unit on last Monday, NASA had requested SpaceX to move the launch of its Dragon commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station from May 1 to Friday at 3:11 a.m. EDT (3:11 p.m. GMT+8) to allow more time for the team to troubleshoot the issue.
Earlier today, NASA says the robotics work to swap the space station's failed Main Bus Distribution Unit will begin today under the command of mission control in Houston.
"Flight controllers are scheduled to perform a series of maneuvers to robotically swap the failed MBSU for a spare on Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2 using the station's robotic arm," NASA said in a statement. After the swap is completed, flight controllers will conduct a series of checkouts on the newly installed MBSU and take steps to return the station to full power to support SpaceX capture and berthing.
As the preparation on the replacement of the station's MBSU is underway, the weather forecast for SpaceX's next Falcon 9 launch opportunity on Friday has worsened, with meteorologist at the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron now predicting a 60 percent chance of launch conditions.
Increasing cloudiness is expected over Florida's Space Coast through the day. There is also a slight risk of thunderstorms on Thursday. The primary concerns on Friday are flight through precipitation, cumulus clouds and thick cloud layers. Maximum upper-level winds will be from the Southwest at 55 knots near 45,000 feet.
Assuming the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon are cleared for lift off, the launch is scheduled for Friday, May 3 at 3:11 a.m. EDT (3:11 p.m. GMT+8) from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad.
The Dragon supply ship will deliver tons of experiments and provisions to the International Space Station and its six-person crew.