Spacex Re launches block 5 Rocket for 1st Time Nails Landing Again
Orbital Sciences has reset the launch of their next unmanned Cygnus resupply mission to the International Infinite Station (ISS) to early on June, under guidance from NASA, later on the long-postponed SpaceX Dragon cargo carrier successfully lifted off last week on April 18 and berthed at the orbiting outpost days ago.
Since both the Cygnus and Dragon vehicles dock at the same Earth-facing port on the stations Harmony node, one transport must go out earlier the other can make it.
This flight was originally scheduled for an afternoon liftoff an early as May vi, but was postponed due to the continuing launch delays for the SpaceX CRS-3 mission from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Further complicating the launch situation and limiting the bachelor days for spaceship dockings are the normal, upcoming station crew rotations in Soyuz capsules in May and the "solar beta cutouts" in early June.
Therefore accounting for these restrictions, the earliest available launch opportunity for Cygnus on the Orbital-ii (Orb-2) mission is now no before than (Net) June ix.
Notably, a June nine liftoff of the two-stage Antares rocket conveying Cygnus—if it occurs—would result in the outset-always night launch of the booster from the beachside pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on NASA'south Wallops Flying Facility forth Virginia's eastern shore (at about 2 a.m.).
The maiden dark blastoff of Antares is certain to put on a spectacular heaven show for tens of millions of U.S. East Declension residents—much every bit the launch of NASA'south LADEE lunar probe did final Fall in September 2013—weather permitting of class.
While pending the SpaceX launch, Orbital and NASA accept already completed numerous Antares/Cygnus prelaunch processing operations.
About two-thirds of Cygnus' approximately 1650 kg of planned NASA cargo has already been loaded by the team. This marks a substantial increase over the 1260 kg lofted on the Orb-1 mission in January 2014.
The remaining science and logistics late stow cargo, some of which is fragile and time sensitive, will be loaded shortly before the vessel is encapsulated inside the Antares payload fairing at Wallops Horizontal Integration Facility.
In add-on to NASA science experiments, spare parts, food, water, and habiliment, a competed series of student science experiments sponsored by the National Center for World and Space Science Pedagogy (NCESSE) is also flying aboard.
Further Cygnus processing is ongoing in anticipation of a June launch.
The integrated spacecraft, comprising the pressurized and service modules, were combined and are existence fueled and readied for mounting on the ATK-congenital solid-fueled upper stage.
Also, the Flight Readiness Certification Review (FRCR) was completed on April xv to insure that the spacecraft and rocket are ready when chosen upon.
The Orbital-2 Cygnus spaceship is conducting the second of eight operational cargo logistics flights scheduled under Orbital Sciences' multi-year $1.9 Billion Commercial Resupply Services contract (CRS) with NASA that runs through 2016.
The purpose of the unmanned Cygnus spaceship—and the SpaceX Dragon—is to restore America's cargo-to-orbit capability that was terminated following the forced shutdown of NASA'south space shuttles.
Cygnus and Dragon will each deliver 20,000 kg (44,000 pounds) of cargo to the station, according to the NASA CRS contracts.
The Orb-ii launch follows a trio of successful Antares launches: 2 in 2013, including the initial test launch in April and the 1st demonstration launch to the ISS in September, and the Orb-1 launch at the start of this year on January. 9.
Cygnus would achieve the station after a carefully choreographed series of thruster engine burns over virtually 2.5 days to raise its orbit.
Astronauts will then grapple Cygnus with the stations Canadian congenital robotic arm and attach to the vacant port on the Harmony node.
It is scheduled to remain berthed at the ISS for nearly twoscore days of unloading and reloading.
The Cygnus PCM is manufactured by Thales Alenia Space at their product facility in Turin, Italian republic, nether a subcontract from Orbital.
The design is based on the Multi Purpose Logistic Module (MPLM) space shuttle cargo transporter. The standard version has an internal book of 18.9 cubic meters and tin can carry a total cargo mass of 2000 kg.
Ken Kremer
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Source: https://www.americaspace.com/2014/04/26/nasa-shifts-next-orbital-sciences-station-cargo-flight-to-nighttime-in-june/
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