SpaceX cargo spacecraft to return to Earth with science samples

A SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft is set to depart the International Space Station (ISS) this Saturday, returning scientific research samples and hardware to Earth for NASA, the agency said on Wednesday.

The spacecraft will undock from the ISS at 11:05 a.m. Saturday Eastern Time and fire its thrusters to move a safe distance away from the station.

After re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft will make a parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Florida.

The cargo spacecraft will carry back to Earth approximately 4,300 pounds of supplies and scientific experiments designed to take advantage of the space station's microgravity environment, according to NASA.