KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - SpaceX has announced its plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday night. The rocket will be carrying the Dragon spacecraft's 29th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-29) mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The target launch time for the mission is set for 8:28 p.m. However, a backup opportunity has also been scheduled for Friday at 8:05 p.m. The primary objective of this mission is to deliver supplies and conduct science experiments on the ISS.

Onboard the Dragon spacecraft will be various supplies and experiments, including an experiment proposed by eighth graders from Pinecrest Academy Space Coast. Dubbed the "Bacteria Boys," Liam Hauser, Evan Ireland, and Eric Distasi were selected by NASA from over 2,200 proposals nationwide.

The students' experiment focuses on testing if blood from a horseshoe crab can detect harmful bacteria in space, similar to its function on Earth. Their innovative idea could potentially minimize the need to send medical equipment through rockets and enable onsite production.

Approximately two weeks after the launch, astronauts on the ISS will conduct the Bacteria Boys' experiment. The demonstration will be livestreamed by NASA, allowing the students to follow along in their classroom.

"We are thrilled to have been able to design this amazing science experiment as a team. Our goal is to contribute to the advancement of space research," expressed Eric Distasi.

The Falcon 9 rocket selected for this mission will utilize a first-stage booster previously flown during the Crew-7 mission. Similarly, the Dragon spacecraft itself has also undergone one previous mission, with CRS-26 to the ISS.

If the launch proceeds as planned on Thursday, Dragon is scheduled to dock with the ISS automatically on Saturday at approximately 5:20 a.m. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9 rocket will attempt to land at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The CRS-29 mission represents another significant step in SpaceX's commitment to supporting the ISS and furthering research and experiments in space. The company's partnership with NASA continues to pave the way for advancements in space exploration and scientific discoveries.

Space enthusiasts can tune in to witness the launch and subsequent docking of the Dragon spacecraft on Saturday through NASA's livestream, as the world anxiously awaits the successful completion of another crucial resupply mission.

As the launch window approaches, excitement builds among scientists, engineers, and students alike, as they eagerly anticipate the outcomes of the experiments and the continued progress of human space exploration.