You Can Watch a Spacecraft Leave the International Space Station Live Online Today

You won't feel like you're there, what with gravity keeping you in your seat. But it'll still be cool.

NASA space station cargo ship live stream
Edited - NASA
Edited - NASA

It's not quite like popping down to the local cafe for a cup of coffee, but the Space Station has been busy this summer. The main event for most observers was the arrival of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which was the first private craft to head to the space station from the US and the first crewed rocket launch from US soil since 2011. (That was shortly after the arrival of Expedition 63 and before a couple of spacewalks.)

Honestly, there's always activity in and around the space station. Maybe it feels extra busy because of the relative ease of live streaming events, most of us staying home more than usual, and the presence of big events like the Crew Dragon launch. On Tuesday, August 18, you can watch live as even more activity at the space station is streamed live online. The Japanese cargo ship HTV-9 will say goodbye to the orbiting lab that afternoon. 

It's been 11 years since the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its first H-II Transfer cargo vehicle to the International Space Station (ISS), according to NASA. This current craft has been at the ISS for three months and will be making its final departure this week. This model of cargo craft from JAXA has delivered more than 40 tons of supplies to the Space Station. It will now be replaced by JAXA's new HTV-X cargo craft, which is expected to have its first launch in 2022.

How to Watch HTV-9 Depart the Space Station

Live coverage of the departure will start at 1:15pm EDT on NASA TV and the NASA website, the Agency said in an announcement. NASA Commander Chris Cassidy of Expedition 63 will use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to release HTV-9 starting at 1:35pm. The uncrewed craft will be controlled by JAXA flight controllers at a control center in Tsukuba, Japan. It'll fire its deorbit engine on August 20, sending it racing back to Earth's surface. 

You'll be able to watch as Cassidy unbolts HTV-9 live in the player below or here, at NASA's website

Ready to go stargazing?

Here are all the best stargazing events that you can get out and see this month or you could stay in a stream the northern lights from home. If you're just getting started, check out our guide to astronomy for beginners

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Dustin Nelson is a Senior Staff Writer at Thrillist. Follow him @dlukenelson.