NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the international Space Station at 4:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 17.
On this mission, Northrop Grumman will use a new late load capability. Previously, all cargo had to be loaded about four days prior to launch. This new capability allows time-sensitive science experiments to be loaded into Cygnus just 24 hours before liftoff. The payload faring has a “pop-top” that to allow access to the Cygnus while the rocket is still horizontal.
This launch will include a rodent research experiment of 40 mice, the first time they've flown in a Cygnus - previously they'd have to be sent in SpaceX's Dragon which also has a late load capability.
Normally Cygnus craft are deorbitted within a few weeks, but this one is due to stay at the ISS for 90 days, after which it is planned to remain in orbit for an extended demonstration mission of several months, thanks to a new control moment gyro that enables the spacecraft's attitude to be maintained without the need to use its thrusters. See: https://spacenews.com/newest-cygnus-mission-to-iss-includes-new-features/
The launch, as well as briefings preceding and following liftoff, will air live online at NASA Live from 4:15 p.m. EDT. (9:15 PM BST)
Weather conditions currently 95% favorable.
Livestream: https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
Information: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/...-cygnus-launch-to-international-space-station
Northrop Grumman Launch Updates: https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/
On this mission, Northrop Grumman will use a new late load capability. Previously, all cargo had to be loaded about four days prior to launch. This new capability allows time-sensitive science experiments to be loaded into Cygnus just 24 hours before liftoff. The payload faring has a “pop-top” that to allow access to the Cygnus while the rocket is still horizontal.
This launch will include a rodent research experiment of 40 mice, the first time they've flown in a Cygnus - previously they'd have to be sent in SpaceX's Dragon which also has a late load capability.
Normally Cygnus craft are deorbitted within a few weeks, but this one is due to stay at the ISS for 90 days, after which it is planned to remain in orbit for an extended demonstration mission of several months, thanks to a new control moment gyro that enables the spacecraft's attitude to be maintained without the need to use its thrusters. See: https://spacenews.com/newest-cygnus-mission-to-iss-includes-new-features/
The launch, as well as briefings preceding and following liftoff, will air live online at NASA Live from 4:15 p.m. EDT. (9:15 PM BST)
Weather conditions currently 95% favorable.
Livestream: https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
Information: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/...-cygnus-launch-to-international-space-station
Northrop Grumman Launch Updates: https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/
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