๐ UPDATE โ May 18, 2026
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station, completing a key milestone of the CRS-34 mission. Elon Musk shared footage of the docking on X in the early hours of May 18, confirming the rendezvous went as planned. The video, shared to over 724,000 views, shows Dragon approaching and berthing with the station in stunning detail.
๐ UPDATE โ May 17, 2026
The CRS-34 Dragon cargo spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station, completing its rendezvous following the May 12 launch from Pad 40. NASASpaceflight shared a stunning view of Dragon's arrival captured by the @sen camera network. The successful docking marks another milestone for NASA and SpaceX's ongoing ISS resupply partnership under the Commercial Resupply Services program.
๐ท Via @NASASpaceflight ยท May 17, 2026
๐ UPDATE โ May 17, 2026
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station, confirmed at 10:39 UTC today. The docking marks a critical milestone for the CRS-34 mission, ensuring the ISS receives its scheduled cargo delivery. SpaceX confirmed the arrival via their official account shortly after docking was achieved.
๐ UPDATE โ May 17, 2026
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station at approximately 6:32 a.m. ET on May 17, two days after lifting off from Pad 40 in Florida on May 15. The docking was broadcast live by SpaceX. Elon Musk noted that while complacency is never welcome, ISS dockings have become routine โ a testament to SpaceX's growing reliability in space logistics operations.
๐ UPDATE โ May 16, 2026
SpaceX successfully launched the CRS-34 mission aboard Falcon 9 on May 16 at approximately 1:03 AM UTC, sending vital supplies to the International Space Station. Following stage separation, the first stage booster executed a flawless return and touched down at Landing Zone 40. Weather concerns ahead of the original May 12 target date are now moot โ the mission is on its way.
via @SpaceX
๐ UPDATE โ May 15, 2026
CRS-34 has successfully launched! SpaceX's Falcon 9 (booster B1096 on its 6th flight) lifted off on May 15 at 10:06 p.m. ET, overcoming the earlier unfavorable weather outlook. The booster executed a flawless Return to Launch Site (RTLS) landing at Landing Zone 40 approximately 7 minutes after liftoff, and Dragon spacecraft separation was confirmed shortly after. Autonomous docking with the International Space Station is now targeted for Sunday, May 17 at ~7:00 a.m. ET.
@SpaceX: Dragon separation confirmed. Autonomous docking with the @Space_Station on Sunday, May 17 at ~7:00 a.m. ET
View on X โ
๐ UPDATE โ May 15, 2026
SpaceX successfully launched the CRS-34 Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station on May 15. Weather conditions improved dramatically from the originally forecast 35% favorable to 95% favorable at launch time. SpaceX provided a live webcast beginning approximately 20 minutes before liftoff, with the Falcon 9 lifting off from Pad 40 as planned.
๐ UPDATE โ May 13, 2026
SpaceX has scrubbed today's CRS-34 launch attempt due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site. The Falcon 9 booster (B1096-6) stood down without lifting off, with SpaceX officially confirming the scrub at 22:53 UTC. The next launch attempt is now targeting Friday, May 15. Weather was already flagged at just 35% favorable ahead of today's attempt.
๐ UPDATE โ May 13, 2026
SpaceX has successfully launched the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft on the CRS-34 mission to the International Space Station. The launch overcame the previously reported 35% favorable weather outlook, getting the 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission off the ground. Confirmation of the successful launch was shared by NASASpaceflight shortly after liftoff.
via @NASASpaceflight ยท May 13, 2026
SpaceX has stood up its Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of tomorrow's 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station. The launch window opens Tuesday, May 12 at 7:16 p.m. ET โ but weather is working against the team, with only a 35% chance of favorable conditions at liftoff.
If Tuesday's attempt is scrubbed, SpaceX has a backup window on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:50 p.m. ET. The Cargo Dragon capsule โ designated C209, flying for its sixth time after supporting CRS-22, -24, -27, -30, and -32 โ will carry approximately 6,500 pounds of supplies, scientific equipment, and experiments to the station. Autonomous docking with the ISS Harmony module's forward port is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at around 9:50 a.m. ET, roughly 38 hours after liftoff.
The booster supporting this mission, B1096, is also on its sixth flight and will attempt a Return to Launch Site landing at Landing Zone 40 at Cape Canaveral. Among the scientific payloads heading to the station: investigations into microbial dynamics (ODYSSEY), bone scaffold development (Green Bone), and a charged particle detector for space weather monitoring (STORIE), according to NASA.
Live coverage begins approximately 20 minutes before liftoff on SpaceX's website and X account. NASA's broadcast starts at 7:00 p.m. ET on NASA+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. With weather odds below 50-50, keep an eye on the Wednesday backup window โ Dragon is expected to remain docked through mid-June regardless of which day it gets off the ground. You can follow SpaceX coverage here for updates as the launch approaches.
Sarah focuses on Tesla Energy, SpaceX missions, and the broader Musk AI portfolio. Former data analyst in clean energy. Based in San Francisco.
Sources verified at publish time. Spotted an inaccuracy? Email editorial@basenor.com.
