SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS (video) – Space.com

SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's robotic Cygnus spacecraft today (Jan. 30), sending the freighter and its 4 tons of cargo toward the International Space Station.

The Cygnus lifted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida today at 12:07 p.m. EST (1707 GMT).

The launch kicked off the 20th operational cargo mission for Cygnus. SpaceX was not involved in the previous 19; they all lifted off atop Antares or Atlas V rockets.

Related: Facts about Cygnus, Northrop Grumman's cargo ship

The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth as planned today, acing its touchdown at Cape Canaveral about 8 minutes and 20 seconds after launch. It was the 10th launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description.

The Cygnus, meanwhile, deployed from the Falcon 9's upper stage in low Earth orbit around 14 minutes and 45 seconds after launch. The freighter then began making its own way to the International Space Station (ISS).

If all goes according to plan, Cygnus will arrive at the orbiting lab at 4:20 a.m. EST (0920 GMT) on Thursday (Feb. 1). You can watch its rendezvous and docking activities live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA.

Northrop Grumman named this Cygnus vehicle after Patty Hilliard Robertson, a NASA astronaut who died in a private plane crash in 2001. She was selected to the astronaut corps in 1998 and was supposed to fly to the ISS in 2002.

The freighter is packed with more than 8,200 pounds (3,720 kilograms) of supplies and scientific hardware. Among the research gear is a cartilage-growing experiment that could help address joint damage and disease here on Earth and a European Space Agency project that will test the 3D printing of metals in microgravity.

You can learn more about this cargo mission, called NG-20,via NASA's overview.

Cygnus will spend about six months docked to the ISS, then head back down for a fiery destruction in Earth's atmosphere.

One experiment aboard Cygnus, called the Kentucky Re-entry Probe Experiment-2, will gather data during this death dive, taking "measurements to demonstrate a thermal protection system for spacecraft and their contents during re-entry in Earth's atmosphere, which can be difficult to replicate in ground simulations," NASA officials wrote in their NG-20 mission overview.

Cygnus is one of three robotic cargo craft that currently service the ISS, along with SpaceX's Dragon capsule and Russia's Progress vehicle. Progress, like Cygnus, is an expendable spacecraft, but Dragon is reusable, surviving the trip through Earth's atmosphere and splashing down softly under parachutes in the ocean.

Editor's note: This story was corrected at 4:40 p.m. EST on Jan. 30 to state that Patty Hilliard Robertson was supposed to fly to the ISS in 2002 (rather than 2022, as originally written).

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SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS (video) - Space.com

Northrop Grumman launches science investigations, supplies to space station – Vero News

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Northrop Grumman launched avariety of scientific experiments and equipment including a surgical robot and a 3D cartilage cell culture to the International Space Station on Tuesday. Skywatchers on Floridas east coast including portions of the Treasure Coast watched the launch under clear skies, followed by a booster landing accompanied with a thunderous-like sonic boom.

The liftoff was part of Northrop Grummans 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission, NASA officials said. Viewers on the Space and Treasure coasts can soon expect to see more launches, including the SpaceX Crew 8 launch slated for Feb. 22.

Northrop Grumman officials named the recent mission after NASA Astronaut Patricia Patty Hilliard Robertson, a medical doctor, pilot and space medicine fellow who died in a plane crash in 2001.

Northrop Grumman, SpaceX and NASA coordinated the event. The Cygnus cargo spacecraft manufactured by Northrop Grumman launched at 12:07 p.m. atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

Cygnus will reach the space station in two days, NASA officials said. This marks the seventh launch for SpaceX this year.

The cargo is carrying more than 8,200 pounds of supplies to the space station. The spacecraft will deliver the first surgical robot on the space station, an orbit reentry platform that collects thermal protection systems data and a 3D cartilage cell culture that will help astronauts keep healthy cartilage in microgravity, NASA officials said.

The cargo also has a metal 3D printer that will test the capability for printing small metal parts. The MSTIC facility Manufacturing of Semiconductors and Thin-film Integrated Coatings is another science experiment headed to space.

The facility developed by Redwire Space based in Jacksonville has a manufacturing capability to make high-quality, lower cost semiconductor chips at a fast rate, NASA officials said. The semiconductors are a critical component that function many of the tools people use every day including smartphones, computers, vehicles and medical devices, Redwire Space officials said.

MSTIC also has an autonomous manufacturing capability that can replace several machines and processes that are required to create semiconductor devices.

The true potential of manufacturing in space lies in the unique conditions of space. Producing films in orbit could lead to significantly improved crystal structures, minimizing irregularities often seen in earth-based manufacturing, Tere Riley, director of marketing and communications for Redwire Space, told VeroNews. This could mean films with more uniform thickness, enhanced conductivity, and greater efficiency, ultimately boosting the performance of the devices theyre used in.

The Cygnus spacecraft will remain at the space station until July, when it will descend back to earth and burn up in the atmosphere, NASA officials said.

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Northrop Grumman launches science investigations, supplies to space station - Vero News

Cygnus Soars on SpaceX Rocket to Resupply International Space Station – SciTechDaily

Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, loaded with more than 8,200 pounds of supplies, launched to the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking the 20th resupply mission by Northrop Grumman for NASA. Credit: SpaceX

A fresh supply of more than 8,200 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo is on its way to the International Space Station on a Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 12:07 p.m. EST Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

About 15 minutes after launch, Cygnus reached its preliminary orbit. About two hours after launch, the spacecraft successfully deployed its two solar arrays.

A successful liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, heads to the International Space Station for the 20th Northrop Grumman resupply mission on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The spacecraft is expected to reach the space station on Thursday, February 1, 2024, bringing 8,200 pounds of science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew. Credit: Kim Shiflett

Cygnus is scheduled to arrive at the space station around 4:15 a.m. Thursday, February 1.

NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and agencys website will provide live coverage of the spacecrafts approach and arrival beginning at 2:45 a.m.

NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli will capture Cygnus using the stations Canadarm2 robotic arm, and NASA astronaut Loral OHara will be acting as a backup. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity modules Earth-facing port.

This is Northrop Grummans 20th contracted resupply mission for NASA.

Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft, atop a SpaceX 9 Falcon rocket, soars from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, for the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply mission for NASA. The spacecraft will bring 8,200 pounds of science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station including tests of a 3D metal printer, semiconductor manufacturing, and thermal protection systems. The Cygnus spacecraft is expected to reach the space station on Thursday, February 1, 2024, where it will remain until its expected departure in May. Credit: SpaceX

Northrop Grummans Cygnus spacecraft is an unmanned cargo spacecraft designed to transport supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS). Developed as part of NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, Cygnus plays a crucial role in maintaining the ISSs operations and advancing space research.

The spacecraft consists of two primary components: the Service Module, which contains the spacecrafts avionics, propulsion, and power systems, and the Pressurized Cargo Module, where the cargo is stored. Once Cygnus completes its mission and is unberthed from the ISS, it safely burns up upon re-entering the Earths atmosphere. This design makes Cygnus an efficient means of not only delivering supplies but also disposing of the stations waste.

Over the years, Cygnus has been instrumental in numerous resupply missions, contributing significantly to the ongoing success and sustainability of the ISS and its missions.

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Cygnus Soars on SpaceX Rocket to Resupply International Space Station - SciTechDaily

SpaceX launches new resupply mission to space station – Xinhua

The image of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus resupply spacecraft is posted on the website of NASA. (Photo credit: NASA)

It is Northrop Grumman's 20th contracted resupply mission for NASA.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- A fresh supply of more than 8,200 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday on a Cygnus resupply spacecraft of American aerospace technology company Northrop Grumman.

The Cygnus cargo spacecraft was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday Eastern Time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the U.S. state of Florida.

It is Northrop Grumman's 20th contracted resupply mission for NASA.

The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the ISS until May when it will depart the orbiting laboratory at which point it will harmlessly burn up in Earth's atmosphere, according to NASA.

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SpaceX launches new resupply mission to space station - Xinhua