The spacecraft is bringing with it a retired microscope and samples from studies on colloids and cellular signaling among other cargo. After undocking from the International Space Station the day before, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is set to splashdown off the coast of Florida late Monday night. On January 24, the spacecraft will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splashdown off the coast of Florida at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Among other things, the spacecraft is carrying a retired microscope and samples from studies on colloids and cellular signaling. On December 22, 2021, the spacecraft docked with the space station for the first time. "These rapid return flights enable scientists to conduct additional observations and analyses of their experiments at Kennedy Space Center while minimizing the effects of gravity on samples. Investigators can then conduct more in-depth analyses back at their home labs," Nasa said.

WHAT ALL IS RETURNING FROM SPACE?

The Dragon spacecraft, which has now made several trips to and from the Space Station, is returning from the flying outpost with over 2000 kilogrammes of cargo. Among them are the following:

After nearly a decade in zero gravity, a cutting-edge light imaging microscope launched to the Station in 2009 is returning to Earth. The Light Microscopy Module (LMM), a powerful diagnostic tool, enabled novel research of macroscopic phenomena in microgravity by remotely acquiring and downloading images and videos at various magnification levels.

The microscope aided in the understanding of how matter is organized and moves at the microscopic level. "Scientists used this tool for microgravity research on colloids, tiny particles suspended in liquid," Nasa said in a statement. "This tool contributed to advances in formulations and shelf life of consumer products such as toothpaste and shampoo, 3D printing, and technology for detecting shifting sands on Mars."

The microscope also aided plant studies in microgravity, such as the CARA investigation, and it aided thermophysical research. The spacecraft also returns Cytoskeleton, a European Space Agency investigation into whether microgravity affects the function of cellular signaling molecules known as RhoGTPases. "This research advances our understanding of how the human body responds to microgravity and may aid in the development of countermeasures to help crew members maintain optimum health on future missions," Nasa said.

Meanwhile, space-4 uses magnetic fields to study the assembly of tiny structures from colloids, or particles suspended in a liquid. "The results returned by the Dragon could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials, leading to more advanced materials for space applications such as thermal shields, protection from micrometeorites, energy production, energy transfer, and actuators and sensors for robotic and human missions," Nasa added.