NASA and SpaceX are gearging up for the launch of their 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:16 p.m. EDT. The mission marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between the agency and private industry, delivering essential science, supplies, and hardware to the orbiting laboratory.

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying approximately 6,500 pounds of cargo, will lift off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is a pivotal step forward in both space station logistics and scientific research, with experiments designed to advance our understanding of microgravity, planetary science, and human health in space.

Among the cargo, the Dragon will transport a new instrument to study charged particles around Earth, which can impact power grids and satellites. Researchers will also investigate how Earth-based simulators replicate microgravity conditions, a critical factor for preparing future astronauts for long-duration missions. The spacecraft will carry a bone scaffold made from wood, potentially offering new treatments for bone conditions like osteoporosis, and equipment to evaluate changes in red blood cells and the spleen in space.

The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock autonomously with the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 9:50 a.m. On Thursday, May 14. After a month at the ISS, the spacecraft will depart in mid-June, returning time-sensitive research and cargo before splashing down off the coast of California.

NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and docking on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, with prelaunch media teleconferences and ongoing updates available through the agency’s official channels. The mission underscores the growing role of commercial partnerships in sustaining and expanding humanity’s presence in low Earth orbit.

For those interested in following along, NASA invites the public to register for its virtual guest program, which offers curated launch resources and notifications about related opportunities.

This mission is not just about logistics—it’s about pushing the boundaries of what we know and how we live in space. As NASA continues to collaborate with SpaceX and other commercial partners, each resupply mission brings us closer to a future where humanity’s reach extends even further into the cosmos.