Photos: SpaceX cargo mission prepared for launch

April 8, 2016 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s eighth operational cargo mission to the International Space Station is set for liftoff with nearly 3.5 tons of research investigations, crew provisions and an experimental expandable habitat for the International Space Station.

Launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for Friday at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT) from Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad.

The photos below show the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo capsule being prepared for liftoff.

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module is ready for installation into the Dragon spacecraft. Credit: Bigelow Aerospace
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module is ready for installation into the Dragon spacecraft. Credit: Bigelow Aerospace
Technicians install the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module into the trunk of the Dragon spacecraft. Credit: SpaceX
Technicians install the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module into the trunk of the Dragon spacecraft. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is pictured inside the hangar at Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad before rollout leading up to Tuesday's static fire test. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is pictured inside the hangar at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad before rollout leading up to Tuesday’s static fire test. Credit: SpaceX
The Dragon spaceship set for liftoff Friday is pictured during launch preparations. Credit: SpaceX
The Dragon spaceship set for liftoff Friday is pictured during launch preparations. Credit: SpaceX
A Falcon 9 rocket sits on its launch pad this week awaiting liftoff Friday at 2043 GMT (4:43 p.m. EDT). Credit: SpaceX
A Falcon 9 rocket sits on its launch pad this week awaiting liftoff Friday at 2043 GMT (4:43 p.m. EDT). Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket sits horizontal as technicians install late-load cargo into the Dragon capsule. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket sits horizontal as technicians install late-load cargo into the Dragon capsule. Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: SpaceX
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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