No better sight than a gigantic rocket cruising down the road. Scheduled to launch March 19th with an @OrbitalATK #Cygnus spacecraft in tow.
The crew at @NASAKennedy loads #OA7 #Cygnus with essential @Space_Station crew supplies & science experiments ahead of its March 19 launch
Cargo load is complete and the hatch is closed! Now the #OA7 #Cygnus is being raised to a vertical position in preparation for integration with the service module, taking place at @nasakennedy today and tomorrow.
Feb 17 2017Experience the Next Cargo Launch to the Space Station from FloridaSocial media users are invited to apply for credentials to attend Orbital ATK’s seventh cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, currently targeted for no earlier than Sunday, March 19. The uncrewed Cygnus cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 10:56 p.m. EST.If your passion is to communicate and engage the world via social media, then this is the event for you! Seize the opportunity to be on the front line to blog, tweet or Instagram everything about Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply mission to the space station. The rocket will deliver several tons of supplies, including new science experiments and technology research.A maximum of 50 active social media users will be selected to attend the three-day event March 17-19 and will be given the same access as news media in an effort to align the experience of social media representatives with those of traditional media.NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:View the launch of ULA’s Atlas V rocketTour NASA facilities at Kennedy Space CenterSpeak with representatives from NASAVisit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexView and take photographs of the Atlas V rocket at ULA’s Space Launch Complex 41Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social mediaMeet members of NASA’s social media teamNASA Social registration for the Orbital ATK CRS-7 launch opens on Feb. 17, and the deadline to apply is Feb. 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You have until 11:59 p.m. EST tonight to apply for the next #NASASocial for the launch of CRS-7! To apply, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/2lutCIk
#Cygnus is bagged & ready for transport to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at @NASAKennedy for final launch preparations #OA7
Preparations at Cape Canaveral’s Vertical Integration Facility began yesterday when the first stage was erected aboard the mobile launch platform. The pre-stacked interstage, Centaur and boattail assembly was hoisted into place this morning to complete the basic buildup of the Atlas 5.The rocket will be powered on and fully tested in the next two weeks to verify all systems are functioning properly. The encapsulated Cygnus will be delivered to the assembly building and attached in early March.<snip>The Cygnus was loaded with its initial complement of cargo over the last 10 days at Kennedy Space Center’s Space Station Processing Facility. The cylindrical module’s hatch was then closed before the vessel was turned vertically and mated to its propulsion tug on Valentine’s Day.Next, the craft will be fueled at the nearby Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility and the hatchway reopened to allow the insertion of late-load cargo.
#Cygnus welcome to our Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. We have loaded you with fuel so you can get to the #ISS @OrbitalATK @ulalaunch
🚀 This beautiful @ULA #AtlasV is scheduled to launch the @OrbitalATK CRS-7 mission at 10:56pm EDT March 19th. Watch: nasa.gov/ntv
How long before launch will they name the Cygnus after a deceased astronaut?
I listed those two examples above to determine whether there's a certain number of days between the launch of Cygnus and the revealing of its namesake.
ULA confirms Atlas V launch of Cygnus/OA-7 now scheduled for March 24, approx. 9pm ET. Could move up to March 23 if range becomes available.
#AtlasV #OA7 is confirmed on the range for Mar 24. We've requested the option to launch Mar 23 pending range avail http://bit.ly/av_oa7
Add'l time allows ULA to replace, retest a first stage hydraulic component. #AtlasV & #Cygnus remain secure in their processing facilities.