[10] NASA contracted for the CRS-20 mission from SpaceX and therefore determined the primary payload, date of launch, and orbital parameters for the Dragon CRS.

[12][13][14] Bartolomeo (named for the younger brother of explorer Christopher Columbus), is an external payload platform developed by Airbus and operated by the European Space Agency.

The first IORS radio system launched aboard CRS-20 and was installed in the Columbus module by Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy on 2 September 2020.

[21] Dragon was also packed with spare parts and replacement hardware for the space station's research facilities and life support systems.

The components included upgraded hardware for the station's urine processing system, which converts human waste into drinking water.

The new components allow NASA teams to test out modifications designed to extend the lifetime of the urine processing system's distillation assembly ahead of future missions to the Moon and Mars, which will require longer-lasting life support equipment.