We’re sending an experiment to @Space_Station that will help examine how spaceflight stressors affect plants generationally. This study aboard @NASA’s #NG18 cargo mission could provide key insight for growing crops on the Moon & Mars, as well as on Earth. https://go.nasa.gov/3UhLFys
Lots of unpacking for @Space_Station's Expedition 68 crew. They received three tons of supplies last week, and following a Flight Readiness Review today, we are GO for @northropgrumman's Cygnus launch on Sunday, Nov. 6. (1/2)
24-Hour Weather Update ⛅ Weather continues to be 80% favorable, with the main concern being a slight chance of low-level clouds that may potentially violate cloud ceiling requirements during the launch window on Nov. 6 at 5:50 am EST. Learn more: go.nasa.gov/3WCriya
L-24 Hour Forecast: Weather Continues to be 80% Favorable for Sun. LaunchThe Wallops Range L-24 hour forecast issued today for tomorrow’s Nov. 6 launch of Northrop Grumman’s 18th resupply mission to the International Space Station continues to be 80% favorable for weather conditions, with the main concern being a slight chance of low-level clouds that may potentially violate cloud ceiling requirements.Unseasonably warm conditions and tranquil weather are expected through this weekend. A cold front will be located over the Appalachian Mountains Sunday morning, providing light southerly surface flow and upper-level cirrus cloudiness over the Wallops Region. An increase of low-level moisture over the Wallops region due to the light winds may provide some low-level clouds over the Wallops region near launch time. At this time, the primary concern for launch would be a slight chance of low-level clouds.NASA commercial cargo provider Northrop Grumman is targeting 5:50 a.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 6, for the launch.
Envious of Antares being able to sleep in on a Saturday morning. To be fair, it’s got a big day tomorrow that starts very early.
From the NG-18 pre-launch briefing:- no technical issues being worked;- weather 80% go for 5:50 am EST launch (fog primary concern);- no impacts of Russian invasion of Ukraine on launch preps.
Joel Montalbano-all set for launch tomorrow morning at 5:50 am ET with 5 minute launch window (don't forget to change your clocks). Will stay docked for about 3 months. 8,200 pounds of hardware
Steve Krein of Northrop Grumman says it's carrying 8,265 pounds of cargo, which is "1 pound of margin, so we really topped it off"
Antares went vertical while I was out at the pad setting up remotes!It flies tomorrow at 5:50 AM EST#wallops #antares #nasa #NG18
For those in the mid-Atlantic region, weather permitting, you may catch a glimpse of the rocket across the sky. Follow our blog for updates: go.nasa.gov/3DMBxY6
Countdown Underway; Weather now 90% Favorable for Antares LaunchThe countdown is underway for this morning’s 5:50 a.m. EST launch window of NASA commercial resupply provider Northrop Grumman‘s Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo spacecraft. Weather is now 90% favorable for the launch of this resupply mission to the International Space Station. For those who’d like to follow along with the count early, live video and control room chatter is now airing on NASA Wallops’ IBM Cloud Video. Live coverage of the launch with commentary will air on NASA Television, the agency’s website and the NASA app beginning at 5:50 a.m. EST. The five-minute launch window opens at 5:50 a.m. EST, with liftoff taking place from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore of the state. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will be open for this launch. Gates open at 3:30 a.m. EST. Viewing locations on Chincoteague Island include Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The beach at the Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will NOT be open during the launch. Each resupply mission to the station delivers scientific investigations in the areas of biology and biotechnology, Earth and space science, physical sciences, and technology development and demonstrations. This Cygnus is loaded with more than 8,200 pounds of research, crew supplies, and hardware. Research investigations launching to the orbiting laboratory aboard this Cygnus include: a facility to advance 3D biological printing of human tissue in space a study taking advantage of microgravity to better understand catastrophic mudflows that can occur after wildfires Uganda and Zimbabwe’s first satellites developed as a part of the BIRDS program, an interdisciplinary project for non-space faring countries an investigation into how microgravity influences ovary function an experiment that studies if changes space-grown plants undergo to adapt to microgravity can be transmitted through seeds to the next generation Cargo resupply from U.S. companies ensures a national capability to deliver critical science research to the space station, significantly increasing NASA’s ability to conduct new investigations at the only laboratory in space. Author Jamie AdkinsPosted on November 6, 2022Categories Antares, Cygnus, Expedition 68, Northrop Grumman
Cargo HighlightsNorthrop Grumman's Antares rocket will launch the Cygnus spacecraft to the space station. Hardware ISS Power Augmentation Mod Kits - This critical hardware will be installed during the upcoming ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA) EVAs, allowing the International Space Station Program to continue deploying the upgraded solar arrays.Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System Oxygen Recharge Tank Assembly (RTA) - Unique gas vestibule filled with high-purity oxygen to resupply the on-orbit high-pressure gas tank. This resupply will support spacewalkers during the 2022 and 2023 scheduled spacewalks.Commercial-off-the-Shelf Air Tanks - Eight disposable air tanks used for U.S. Operating Segment (USOS) gas resupply for routine atmospheric cabin repress activities in orbit.Loop Crossover Assembly - Long-lead spare that will provide significant fault tolerance for cooling of critical hardware within the Destiny laboratory and the Tranquility module. This unit serves as a critical component for leak and failure recovery for internal thermal control systems.Crew Quarters Intake and Exhaust Sensors - Supporting all crew quarters onboard the station, these intake and exhaust sensors will aid in ensuring active and accurate flow detection.Major Constituents Analyzer (MCA) Mass Spectrometer - Used to monitor nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, and water vapor onboard the space station, this orbital replacement unit will provide additional fault tolerance to support the MCAs in both the lab and Node 3.Galley Rack User Panel - Critical spare allowing for full redundancy of the galley hardware used to prepare crew meals, as well the services provided in support of USOS crew health and science objectives.Solid State Lighting Assemblies - Replacements to legacy lighting. With three units launching on Cygnus, additional fault tolerance will also be provided for the roughly 80 lighting locations onboard the station.Cupola Scratch Pane - Upgraded acrylic scratch pane that provides improved optics and visuals for the crew when using the cupola.Brine Processor Assembly Bladders - Used to recover additional water from urine brine, these units will further support the USOS segment's water reclamation and processing capability.4 Bed CO2 Hardware - Upgraded blower, controller, enclosure, and acoustics blanket to improve real time operations and noise generated. These items will increase the utilization of the carbon dioxide scrubber and reduce the auditory impacts to the crew members aboard the station.
Antares has gone vertical ahead of tomorrow morning 5:50am EST launch!Viewing guide: wallopslaunch.com
