Tag: CRS
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Cygnus ends successful mission with destructive farewell
Orbital’s Cygnus was commanded towards a destructive re-entry on Wednesday, marking the end of its successful ORB-D mission. The vehicle was unberthed from the International Space Station (ISS) and released by the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) the day before, in a text book departure. Cygnus Success: Cygnus arrived at the orbital outpost on September 28, a…
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Cygnus delays ISS berthing following GPS discrepancy
Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft was into the final leg of berthing with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday morning, prior to a discrepancy relating to the way the ISS and Cygnus determine GPS data. The fascinating issue can be fixed via an update to Cygnus’ software, allowing for a second rendezvous and berthing attempt no…
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As Cygnus heads to the ISS Orbital already eyeing the future
As Orbital Sciences Corporation’s first Cygnus spacecraft, the G. David Low, conducts a series of tests and rendezvous maneuvers that will bring it within reach of the International Space Station (ISS) robotic arm Sunday, the company continues preparations and planning for the next Station resupply mission and increased cargo delivery capabilities for future missions. ORB-D…
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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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NASA planners switch next SpaceX Dragon mission to 2014
Planners within the ISS program have manifested the next two Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions. Both Orbital’s CRS-1 (ORB-1) and SpaceX’s CRS-3 (SpX-3) missions were initially provided with the same orbital place-holder in December, prior to this week’s decision to allow Cygnus to fly ahead of Dragon, with the latter moving to NET January 17,…
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NASA told to slow down CRS payment schedule for Orbital’s cargo runs
NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a report that recommends the Agency should slow down its payments to Orbital for their Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions. Despite Orbital’s successful test flight of their Antares launch vehicle, the OIG is concerned by the “financial risk” of paying the company too far ahead of schedule.…
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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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NASA’s Commercial Crew Catch 22 as another $424m heads to Russia
NASA administrator Charlie Bolden emphasized the need for Congress to fully support funding for the Agency’s Commercial Crew Program, after signing a $424m extension for the use of Russian Soyuz vehicles to transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. The deal, which reaches through to June 2017, is likely to receive further extensions. Domestic…
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Dragon Splashdown concludes SpaceX’s CRS-2 mission
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, following its departure from the International Space Station (ISS). Known as End Of Mission (EOM) operations, Dragon’s safe return completed the second mission under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. SpaceX CRS-2 EOM: *CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE COVERAGE SECTION FOR UP…
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Resilient CRS-2 Dragon successfully berthed on the ISS
Back to full health, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft was captured and then berthed by the Canadarm 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday morning. Arriving just one day later than planned – due to required troubleshooting with the spacecraft’s propulsion system – Dragon marked its third arrival at the orbital outpost. CRS-2 Status –…