"The data that we're going to collect from this reboost and attitude control demonstration will be very helpful... and this data is going to lead to future capability, mainly the US deorbit vehicle," SpaceX director of flight reliability Jared Metter told reporters.
"The capsule is expected to feature 46 Drago thrusters, as compared to just 18 for the cargo variant, along with an enhanced trunk section... tailored to complete this mission," said SpaceX Dragon mission management director Sarah Walker.
SpaceX and NASA are using the opportunity to collect data for their joint plans to destroy the ISS, which is contracted to be completed no sooner than 2030.
This first-time action of a SpaceX capsule firing thrusters while docked marks a significant transition in ISS operations historically managed by Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.
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