NASA’s engineers encountered a problem with the Space Station’s power system on Monday, April 29. An unexpected power outage in the station’s Main Bus Switching Units forced NASA to ground a SpaceX resupply mission pencilled in for Wednesday, May 1. The Main Bus Switching Units distribute power to two of the ISS’ eight power channels. NASA immediately announced plans to robotically replaced the failed units, pushing back the SpaceX launch to May 3 at the latest.
As of Thursday morning, May 2, NASA’s ground controllers have confirmed the failed power systems have been replaced and are in working order.
This has given SpaceX the green light to resume flight preparations for a Friday morning liftoff.
NASA said in a statement: “This morning, Robotics Ground Controllers in Mission Control Houston successfully completed an operation to remove a failed Main Bus Switching Unit-3 and replace it with a spare.
“The MBSU in question has failed on April 29 and reduced the station’s power supply by about 25 percent.
“There were no immediate concerns for the crew or the station.
“The crew had installed a series of jumpers in Node 1 following the failure to reroute power to experiments and hardware and ensure limited impact to continued station operations.
“Since the successful replacement, the MBSU was powered up and checked out successfully with all station systems back to nominal power configuration, including redundant power to the Canadarm2 robotic arm.”
SpaceX is now scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 8.11am UK time or 3.11am EDT tomorrow.
The launch will see a single SpaceX Falcon 9 blast off into space for the 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA.
The MBSU in question has failed on April 29 and reduced the station’s power supply
NASA
Nine minutes into the SpaceX launch, the Falcon 9’s Cargo Dragon module will detach and make its way to the ISS.
The Dragon module is then expected to approach and dock with the orbital laboratory by Sunday, May 5.
The reusable cargo module was previously used to reach the ISS on a mission two years ago.
SpaceX said: “The Dragon spacecraft that will support the CRS-17 mission previously supported the CRS-12 mission in August 2017.
“Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to recover Falcon 9’s first stage on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Should weather conditions tomorrow hinder SpaceX’s plans, the California-based rocket manufacturer has launch backup window on Saturday, May at 7.48am BST or 2.48am EDT.
Follow Express.co.uk to find out how you can watch the SpaceX launch live online.
SpaceX’s resupply mission will provide the ISS with nearly 2,500kg of research materials, crew supplies and hardware.
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