A delivery to the International Space Station brings more than food and everyday supplies. A cargo Dragon arrived on October 15 with new research equipment and other materials. The spacecraft joined the station automatically. Before opening the door, astronaut Anil Menon checked pressure and looked for possible leaks. Safety checks came first, even though the delivery had already reached the station.
In its October 16 update, NASA described the crew moving equipment and preparing experiments. Some materials needed careful storage in special freezers. New studies included artificial eye tissue and heart tissue in weightless conditions. The cargo also carried solar arrays for the station. Unpacking was therefore part of the science work, not simply clearing boxes from a doorway.