Falcon 9 Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35: Launch Time & How to Watch (31 Aug 2026)

What is the CRS-2 SpX-35 mission?

CRS-2 SpX-35 is a SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services flight carrying a cargo Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. Under the second-phase Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-2) contract with NASA, SpaceX flies its uncrewed cargo Dragon on a regular cadence to deliver crew supplies, hardware and dozens of science experiments to the orbiting laboratory, then returns cargo and research samples to Earth.

The mission will lift off on a Falcon 9 Block 5, the current and most flight-proven version of SpaceX's workhorse rocket. On resupply flights the first stage typically returns for a landing so the booster can be reused on future missions.

When is the launch?

The launch is currently targeted for 31 August 2026 at 00:00 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. As with all ISS resupply missions, this is an instantaneous or near-instantaneous window driven by orbital mechanics: the rocket must launch precisely when the pad rotates into the plane of the space station's orbit.

The status of this flight is listed as TBD, so the date and time may shift. Cargo Dragon missions are often adjusted in the final weeks depending on station traffic, range availability and payload readiness. Check our rocket launch schedule for the latest confirmed time.

Launch details at a glance

What is the payload?

The payload is an uncrewed cargo Dragon spacecraft loaded with pressurized and, on many flights, unpressurized cargo. Typical CRS deliveries include:

• Food, water and crew provisions for the Expedition crew aboard the ISS
• Science and research investigations spanning biology, physics, materials and technology demonstrations
• Spare parts, hardware and station maintenance equipment
• External payloads carried in Dragon's unpressurized trunk on some missions

After spending roughly a month or more docked to the station, cargo Dragon undocks and performs a controlled reentry to splash down off the coast of Florida, returning science samples and equipment to researchers within hours of landing.

How to watch the launch live

SpaceX typically streams its launches beginning around 15–20 minutes before liftoff, with coverage of stage separation, booster landing and Dragon deployment. On launch day you can:

• Follow the countdown and liftoff on Cosmik's real-time launch tracker
• Watch the ascent and then follow the spacecraft on our live 3D map of the solar system and satellites in orbit
• Track the destination in real time with our ISS tracker as Dragon closes in for docking

Explore more SpaceX flights on our SpaceX launch hub and other missions from the Space Coast on the Cape Canaveral launch page.

Why does this launch matter?

Regular cargo Dragon flights keep the International Space Station stocked and operational, and each mission delivers experiments that advance research in microgravity. As one of the most reliable resupply vehicles in service, cargo Dragon is central to sustaining continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.

For background on the hardware and operators involved, see the following references:

• Falcon 9 (Wikipedia)
• SpaceX (Wikipedia)
• International Space Station (Wikipedia)
• The Space Devs Launch Library (data source)

Keep up with mission updates on our latest launch news as the date firms up.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Don't miss liftoff — follow Dragon CRS-2 SpX-35 on Cosmik's real-time launch tracker, watch the spacecraft chase down the ISS on our live 3D map, and turn on free launch alerts so you get notified the moment the countdown to 31 August 2026 begins.