Sunday, January 12, 2014

Cygnus berths with ISS

Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and approach maneuvers with the International Space Station and docked Sunday. Launched into orbit by Orbital's Antares rocket Jan. 9 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Cygnus is delivering 2,780 pounds of cargo. It will remain berthed at the ISS until Feb. 18. When it leaves it will take 2,800 pounds of disposable cargo for a destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean. Under a $1.9 billion CRS contract with NASA, Orbital will use Antares and Cygnus to deliver up to 44,000 pounds of cargo to the ISS over eight missions through late 2016. (Source: Business Wire, 01/12/14) Gulf Coast note: Antares AJ26 engines are tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous