A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket propelled a Cygnus cargo ship into orbit Saturday after a perfect launch from the east coast of Virginia, with more than 8,000 pounds of supplies and equipment transported to the International Space Station.
The rocket’s two Russian-built RD-181 first-class engines caught fire at 12:36 p.m., fully compressed and pushed the booster skyward from road 0A at the Mid-Atlantic local spacecraft – MARCH – at NASA Wallops Island, Virginia, flight facility.
The Antares 230+ rocket climbs directly into the orbit of the space station and lands on a southeastern orbit to kick off the company’s 15th space station cargo run.
NASA TV
The climb from the lower atmosphere went smoothly and after a 45-minute second of the rocket’s second phase of the rocket, the Cygnus cargo ship was released to fly itself, on course to catch up with the station early Monday. .
Along with research materials, parts and other equipment, the spacecraft will also bring fresh food to the crew members of the station.
“Some of the things we send will include perishable items, such as parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, apples and tomatoes, nuts and dried meats and even some sweets,” said David Brady, co-scientist at the space station.
On board: maple smoked plinth salmon “for the crew members who love fish.”
“We like to keep them happy because it helps them be more productive and enables us to do more science,” Brady said.
The main purpose of the Cygnus mission is to provide scientific equipment and supplies for ongoing research using the microgravity environment aboard the space station.
In one experiment, small worms are used to learn more about how astronauts’ muscles lose strength in the absence of gravity, while another explores better ways to make retinal implants that can help people with degenerative facial disorders maintain or maintain their vision. improve.
An advanced computer that can process faster and perform data compression will be tested and equipment for upgrading the station’s urine recovery system will be installed. On board: new radiation detectors that will be used on future missions to the moon and beyond.
Soichi Noguchi / NASA
“ISS research is currently in full swing,” said program scientist Heidi Parris. “There are hundreds of different experiments taking place simultaneously on the International Space Station, and it sets in motion the work of some of the most brilliant scientific minds in the world.”
According to her, there is an effort to improve our daily lives on earth and to further expand our capabilities for future space exploration.
If all goes well, the Cygnus spacecraft will reach the station early Monday. The Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi and the crew member Mike Hopkins will capture the cargo ship with the robot arm of the laboratory. Flight controllers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston then take over the remote control to tow the ship in for construction.
“This vehicle transports more than 8,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station,” said Joel Montalbano, manager of the station’s program in Houston. “We spoke to the crew on board (and) they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Cygnus, and look forward to opening the hatch and entering and continuing the scientific and research program we are planning.”
Northrop Grumman names its Cygnus cargo ships after notable men and women who played critical roles in the US space program. For Saturday’s flight, the spacecraft was named in honor of Katherine Johnson, the late mathematician whose role in the early years of the space program played a central role in the movie “Hidden Figures”.
“It is our tradition to name each Cygnus after an individual who has played a crucial role in human spaceflight,” said Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman. “Mrs. Johnson was chosen for her handwritten calculations that helped launch the first Americans into space, as well as her accomplishments in breaking the black ceiling to the glass ceiling.
“She is an inspiration to so many people, especially women of color, and has proven time and time again that racial barriers and glass ceilings are fragile and should not have been there in the first place.”