SpaceX Cargo Mission: Return Science Sample Capability as Important as Space Station Resupply

While the first NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) flight to the International Space Station is historic, the delivery and more importantly the return of science samples is pivotal. Since the retirement of the shuttles, the only return capability available from the space station was via the Russian Soyuz vehicle, with cold stowage even more limited -- but not anymore. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, is now able to provide this service, as well.