Watch SpaceX launch its first updated Dragon cargo capsule at 11:17 a.m.ET



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SpaceX’s manned flights have garnered the most attention lately, but the unmanned variety is about to regain the limelight. The company is launch its Dragon cargo capsule first updated at 11:17 a.m. east of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The CRS-21 mission to the International Space Station comes nine months after the original Dragon was last launched, and represents a major milestone precisely for the little work that will be involved – this is expected to be SpaceX’s most reliable carrier at this day.

The new Dragon freighter is a modification of Crew Dragon that can dock with the ISS fully autonomously rather than requiring the assistance of astronauts leading the Canadarm. It also offers 20% more cargo volume than the previous cargo model, including double the capacity of the electric locker. It should also last longer than the previous capsules. It can stay attached to the ISS for more than twice as long and is now designed for up to five round trips.



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