Tag: ISS
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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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Soyuz TMA-08M returns Expedition 36 back to Earth
The Russian Soyuz TMA-08M undocked from the International Space Station, ahead of successfully returning its three person crew safely to the steppe of Kazakhstan early on Wednesday morning. The undocking marked the end of an eventful Expedition 36 that included a dramatic premature end to one of the spacewalks during the period. Soyuz TMA-08M Return:…
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HTV-4 departs following successful ISS resupply mission
Japan’s HTV-4 cargo vehicle has departed the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of a fiery plunge back to Earth. The spacecraft delivered vital supplies both for the crew and the Station itself during its mission, with its final role now involving a cargo of ISS trash that will be disposed off during its destructive re-entry.…
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Root cause breakthrough during Luca’s leaky EMU investigation
The International Space Station (ISS) crew have managed to recreate the substantial water leak in Luca Parmitano’s faulty spacesuit, the cause of the premature end to EVA-23 last month. The crew are expected to removed and replace faulty components from the suit, for return to Earth on board the soon-to-depart Soyuz TMA-08M (34S). EMU…
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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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Russian duo complete EVA-35 – Luca recalls EVA drama
Expedition 36 Flight Engineers Fyodor Yurchikhin and Alexander Misurkin have completed their second spacewalk in the space of a week, as preparations continue for the arrival of the next Russian module. Meanwhile, Luca Parmitano has recalled the drama of his aborted spacewalk when liquid started to fill his helmet during EVA-23 last month. EVA-35/RS-35: Thursday’s…
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Russian EVA breaks record – EMU troubleshooting continues
Expedition 36 Flight Engineers Fyodor Yurchikhin and Alexander Misurkin have completed the first of two spacewalks to prepare the International Space Station (ISS) for the arrival of the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM). Their extended EVA broke the spacewalk duration record for a Russian spacewalk. Meanwhile, the investigation into the leak in Luca Parmitano’s spacesuit…
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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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The amazing space adventures of Michael Foale
British-born astronaut Michael Foale has retired from NASA following an amazing career that saw him fly on six Space Shuttle missions, a Soyuz and two Space Stations. Moving to a career in the commercial section, Foale’s space flight legacy includes 374 days in space, a record for an American citizen. Famous Foale: Born in…