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SpaceX on Sunday launched a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-33) mission to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral in Florida, the Dragon spacecraft’s 50th time.

Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to SpaceX officials, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on Monday autonomously after an approximate 28-hour flight.

The CRS-33 will then deliver 5,000 lbs (2268 kg) of food, supplies, and experiments to astronauts onboard the International Space Station—but according to SpaceX officials, this mission goes beyond being just a resupply mission.

Some 50 different scientific studies critical for future human space exploration are to be conducted on the mission.

“This research team is testing out the hypothesis that blocking a certain protein in the body that is known to promote bone loss or bone health changes may actually help reduce the overall bone loss that astronauts experience in space,” said Heidi Parris, associate program scientist for the ISS Program.

While Sunday’s launch marked half a ton of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft visits to the space station; the first time was in May 2012 for a resupply demonstration.

It was also the first-stage booster’s seventh flight and the third for the Dragon spacecraft as part of the resupply mission.

In September, the Dragon spacecraft will be utilised to give the space station a boost. This will involve the adjustment of the space station’s altitude, according to Bill Spetch, the International Space Station Program’s Operations Integration Manager.

“NASA contracted with SpaceX a few years ago to provide a reboost capability to the space station. As you know, the space station’s altitude slowly decays over time due to the thin amount of atmosphere still at our altitude,” Spetch said. 

The Dragon spacecraft is expected to return to Earth no earlier than December.

Video editor • Jerry Fisayo-Bambi

Additional sources • AP