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<\/p>\nWhile the main focus last weekend was on the successful launch of the Cygnus NG-12 mission with a fresh set of science experiments and supplies for the Expedition 61 crew of the International Space Station, Northrop Grumman was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to test a critical new capability for Cygnus.<\/p>\n
That new effort was the ability for two Cygnus spacecraft to fly in space at the same time \u2013 with the team able to properly command each spacecraft individually.<\/p>\n
This testing is crucial for Northrop Grumman\u2019s plan to offer Cygnus as a free-flying science platform for NASA, government, and commercial companies after its primary Station mission is complete.<\/p>\n
This effort was only possible because Northrop Grumman used their NG-11 Cygnus \u2013 launched 17 April 2019 \u2013 to test some of the long-duration Cygnus systems after that craft left the Station in August.<\/p>\n
Since then, NG-11 has spent the last three months free flying in Low Earth Orbit.<\/p>\n
Normally, Cygnus vehicles depart the International Space Station, deploy a few CubeSats, and then re-enter Earth\u2019s atmosphere within a couple of weeks. <\/p>\n
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Cygnus in orbital free-flight. (Credit: Nathan Koga for NSF\/L2)<\/p>\n
For NG-11, the last three months have seen the craft test out the new Cygnus long-duration systems and equipment \u2013 most notably the Control Moment Gyroscopes, or CMGs.<\/p>\n
The new CMGs on Cygnus provide attitude adjustments and orientation changes of the craft without having to use the precious and limited onboard supply of fuel for the vehicle\u2019s thrusters and engine.<\/p>\n
According to Frank DeMauro, Vice President and General Manager of Space Systems Division at Northrop Grumman, those CMG tests have gone extremely well.<\/p>\n
And that success laid the groundwork for the most crucial test that could only be performed once the NG-12 Cygnus was on the launch pad and in orbit: commanding two separate Cygnus spacecraft at the same time with the same control teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo control and monitor two Cygnus vehicles at the same time, we have never had the need to do that,\u201d said Mr. DeMauro in a one-on-one interview with NASASpaceflight a few days before the NG-12 Cygnus launch.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we wanted to do it as efficiently and safely and effectively as possible. So we have the same Mission Ops team monitoring both vehicles. We have the telemetry from both spacecraft piped into our mission control center. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo any of the spacecraft operators can view the telemetry in their particular area by simply clicking a button to move between NG-11 and NG-12 telemetry.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make this operation as seamless as possible for the control teams, Northrop Grumman implemented a series of changes to their consoles to increase situational awareness of which Cygnus vehicle each operator is currently working with.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n