A spaceship called Cygnus launched on Friday by NASA partner Northrop Grumman is set to arrive at the ISS shortly. The un-crewed cargo ship is carrying a plethora of scientific instruments will arrive at the ISS at 5.20am EST (10.20am BST), and you can watch the events unfold on Express.co.uk.
Onboard the cargo ship are science experiments, including tests for cancer treatments.
NASA said it will be analysing the effects of certain cancer cells in micro-gravity, which could lead to the saving of thousands of lives each year.
The space agency explained: “Leveraging Microgravity to Screen Onco-selective Messenger RNAs for Cancer Immunotherapy (Onco-Selectors) tests drugs based on messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) for treating leukaemia.
“Found in all our cells, mRNA plays a role in the process of making proteins, and it can be different in healthy versus cancer cells.
“In normal gravity, the drugs to be tested are onco-selective, meaning they can tell cancer cells from healthy ones.
“Researchers expect any drugs that also demonstrate this trait in microgravity could make good candidates for safer, more effective, and affordable medicines to treat leukaemia and other cancers.
“This could improve survival rates for thousands of people every year.”
Also on board is a new toilet for the ISS crew. However, this is no normal toilet and has cost NASA a pricey $23million.
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“The smaller footprint of the UWMS supports possible expansion of the number of crew members on the space station and planning for future exploration missions as well.
“Compact, efficient waste disposal technology also has potential applications in remote areas and those not served by traditional waste treatment systems on Earth and during disasters.”
Shortly before the spaceship arrives at the ISS, it will hover nearby where the astronauts on board will make a decision whether they are able to ‘capture’ it.
However, NASA does not foresee any issues arriving.
NASA said: “Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy of NASA will capture the spacecraft assisted by Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos, who will monitor Cygnus systems during its approach for capture.
“They will use the space station’s robotic arm to take hold of the Cygnus, dubbed the S.S. Kalpana Chawla.
“After Cygnus’ capture, ground controllers will command the station’s arm to rotate and install it on the bottom of the station’s Unity module.”