Today, NASA announced a 60% chance of favorable launch conditions for the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft aboard the Atlas V rocket, which is slated to carry more than 7,700 lbs of equipment, supplies and experiments to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is scheduled for Thursday at 5:55 p.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“The primary concerns are cumulus clouds, disturbed weather and thick clouds at launch time,” according to NASA. “The rocket and spacecraft have a 30-min window to be able to launch and meet up with the (ISS) in orbit.”
According to the Orlando Sentinel, this is Orbital ATK’s first resupply mission to the ISS in over 13 months. The last one, on Oct. 28, 2014, blew up seconds after launch, destroying the Cygnus and supplies.
The new Cygnus, according to NASA, can carry 25% more mass than its predecessor. The payload includes The Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL), a new life science facility capable of researching microorganisms, animal cells and tissues and small plant and animal organisms; the Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE), which will study the behavior of gases and liquids; a new jet pack called SAFER for astronauts to wear during spacewalks; and food, water and clothing, among other pieces of equipment.
This launch marks the first usage of the Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company.
“Atlas V has put satellites in orbit reliably and we are thrilled to be partners both with ULA on the Atlas and with NASA for…Cygnus to deliver this important cargo to the space station,” said Dan Tani, a former astronaut who is now Orbital ATK’s senior director of Mission and Cargo Operations.
After liftoff, Cygnus will use autonomous systems and be guided via ground controllers.
Once close enough to the ISS, crewmembers Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren will use the station’s robotic arm to catch the spacecraft. It will be the first spacecraft to dock at the ISS’ Earth-facing port on the Unity module.
Coverage of the launch on NASA TV will start at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
