SpaceX Resupply Cargo Spacecraft Finally Arrives at the International Space Station

It was a happy Easter for all of those aboard the International Space Station, as the Dragon spacecraft finally delivered the much-needed, month-overdue cargo, including private Easter care packages from the astronauts' families.

Yesterday at 10:06 a.m. EST, the SpaceX Dragon docked at the International Space Station after Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and NASA's Rick Mastracchio operated the ISS's robotic arm to haul in the spacecraft--all 5,000 pounds of it.

The astronauts finally received the long-awaited parts to repair spacesuits as well as computers and other technological devices. The ISS Robonaut 2 will be given its new robotic legs that are meant to improve its mobility, since it's expected to grow to nine feet tall. Additionally, the "Veggie Experiment" will be administered by the astronauts to see if vegetables can be grown and eaten in space. These are just some of the many cargo supplies.

The SpaceX launch came after a month of delays. Originally planned for March 16, the company experienced a two-week delay to re-run checks on the spacecraft, then another two weeks because of an oily residue found on part of the Dragon spacecraft's capsule. It was delayed another week after scientists found a leaky rocket valve that needed to be replaced. A delay was almost issued on Saturday because of potential thunderstorms, but the launch was successful.

Launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Falcon 9 rocket (SpaceX's rocket that carried the Dragon cargo ship), also made its first test of its reusable stage. The private launching company has been looking to reuse their rockets to save both them and NASA money. After launching into space, the rocket safely landed in the Atlantic Ocean where it will be recovered, checked and repaired for hopeful resuse. The company is excited because the mission projected only a 30-40% chance of success for recovery.

Under the current $1.6 billion contract between SpaceX and NASA, SpaceX will conduct eight more spaceflights between now and 2016, hopefully saving money if the Falcon 9 can be reused. Last week they also tested its reusable Falcon 9 rocket in New Mexico, where the launch was successful and the rocket safely landed. But most importantly, the eight astronauts on the ISS received their much needed supplies and goods for the time being.

To read more about the SpaceX resupply mission to the ISS, visit this Forbes.com article.