Tag: Antares
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Orbital’s Antares launches Cygnus on debut mission to ISS
Orbital Sciences Corporation have launched the first Cygnus spacecraft Wednesday, beginning a demonstration mission to the International Space Station which will verify that the vehicle is ready to support NASA’s resupply needs. Liftoff from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, atop an Antares rocket occurred at 10:58 EDT. Cygnus ORB-D: The Cygnus Orb-D1…
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Antares rolled out ahead of ORB-D mission – 24 hour delay
Orbital’s Antares launch vehicle is deep into preparations for its second trip into space – delayed 24 hours to Wednesday – this time hosting the debut mission for the Cygnus resupply ship. Known as ORB-D, Cygnus will make its long-awaited flight to the International Space Station (ISS), with the aim of validating multiple demonstration milestones…
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Countdowns and Testing – Commercial Space steps up a gear
Several commercial space companies are in the midst of critical testing and launch preparations. While the increase in activity is aimed at successfully achieving differing mission objectives, the overall drive is one based on private companies becoming the new gate keepers of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), freeing NASA to set sail for deep space destinations.…
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Cygnus ISS debut provisionally moved to September
The debut mission for Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft – known as ORB-D – is now tracking a provisional launch date of September 28. The slip relates to an engine change out on the Antares that will launch Cygnus en route to the ISS, along with the Station’s busy Visiting Vehicle schedule and Solar Beta Angle cut-out…
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Antares conducts a flawless maiden launch
Orbital Sciences Corporation have – at the third launch attempt – launched their new Antares rocket’s maiden flight on Sunday. Following two scrubs over the past few days, an issue-free count was followed by a flawless debut mission, as Antares successfully lofted a Cygnus Mass Simulator into orbit. SCRUB 1: Liftoff from Launch Pad…
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Orbital’s Antares: An eye on the present and the future
Orbital are still hoping to launch their Antares rocket on its debut trip into space this coming week, despite an issue during its Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). Elsewhere, the Castor 30XL upper stage motor – that will fly with Antares on later flights of the Cygnus spacecraft to the ISS – enjoyed a successful static…
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Stars align for Orbital’s Antares – A-One debut set for mid-April
Orbital’s Antares rocket is finally set to make its debut flight into space, following the approval of a launch window that opens on April 16. Dubbed the A-One mission, Antares will be tasked with a 603 second validation mission to loft a Cygnus mass simulator payload to a target orbit of 250 km x 300…
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CASTOR 30XL prepares for static fire ahead of providing Antares boost
ATK’s CASTOR 30XL Upper Stage motor is deep into preparations for a static fire test, set to take place this spring at the Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee. The large Upper Stage was designed and built by ATK within a two year period, with six production units on order to boost the power of…
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Hot fire success for Orbital’s Antares
Orbital’s Antares vehicle has enjoyed a successful hot fire test on Friday. The success followed last week’s scrubbed attempt at at T-1.5 seconds – related to a low pressure purge condition ahead of engine ignition. With the issue resolved, the Antares came to life for the first time, firing its engines for 27 seconds. Antares…
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Flight of the Antares – Orbital closing in on long-awaited debut
The Antares launch vehicle will soon make its debut flight, ahead of an important year for Orbital’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract requirements. The test flight of the new launch vehicle will pave the way for a demo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in May, involving the first use of the Cygnus spacecraft.…