ISS chases the Dragon

The SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule has arrived at the International Space Station after a two-day trip in orbit.

.@SpaceX #Dragon captured at 6:56am ET/10:56am GMT w/@Astro_Jeff & #AstroKate at @CSA_ASC #Canadarm2 controls. https://t.co/PQ2DE0o7YM

— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) July 20, 2016

The capsule was captured by the station's robotic arm and drawn into its docking port, where it will be unloaded in the coming weeks. In addition to essential supplies and science experiments, the capsule is carrying a new docking port for the station that is able to handle spaceships from Russia, Europe, and the US.

The Dragon also contains a DNA sequencer that will be used to analyze the microbial life aboard the space station. If the tests on the unit are successful it could be sent out to Mars and beyond. ®