What is on the Cygnus Cargo Module?The Cygnus Cargo Module will be packed with more than 7,500 pounds of cargo and supplies for the astronauts on the International Space Station. Along with the cargo and supplies, the module will carry 38 cubesats or micro-satellites by NanoRacks of Texas, new habitat to grow plants on the ISS and the Spacecraft Fire Experiment-III (SAFFIRE-III). Along with the SAFFIRE-III, the Cygnus will also carry the Reentry Data Collection (RED-Data-2) flight recorder to provide crucial data about the extreme conditions a spacecraft encounters during atmospheric reentry. The RED-Data-2 flight recorder was built by Terminal Velocity Aerospace.Out of 38 cubesats, 28 will be used for the QB50 mission, which will study the lower thermosphere. Four of the cubesats will launch directly from the Cygnus during flight towards the ISS, while the remaining will be launched from the space station.
We are excited to announce that our #OA7 #Cygnus is named after John Glenn, an inspiration to all & a true pioneer of space exploration
Out of 38 cubesats, 28 will be used for the QB50 mission, which will study the lower thermosphere. Four of the cubesats will launch directly from the Cygnus during flight towards the ISS, while the remaining will be launched from the space station.
Mission Update - March 15, 2017NASA, Orbital ATK and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are now targeting the launch of Orbital ATK’s seventh commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station at 9:00 p.m. EDT Friday, March 24. An option exists to move the launch earlier to March 23, if the Eastern Range becomes available. The additional time allows the ULA team to replace and retest a first stage hydraulic component. Orbital ATK has contracted with ULA for its Atlas V rocket for the launch service, which will lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft is packed with 7,600 pounds of supplies and research for crew aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Does anyone know when the "if the Eastern Range becomes available on the 23rd" option will be known for certain? I.e. At what point can we safely assume the 23rd is out and the 24th is when they'll proceed toward?
@ulalaunch 2:41 PM - 3 Apr 2017Launch fans: Mark your calendars: #AtlasV #OA7 is now scheduled for Tuesday, Apr 18.
NASA, Orbital ATK and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are now targeting April 18 for the launch of Orbital ATK’s seventh contracted commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. ULA has developed a plan to resolve an earlier booster hydraulic issue, and is moving forward with launch vehicle processing. Both the Atlas V rocket and Cygnus spacecraft remain secure. Several tons of cargo including crew supplies and science experiments packed aboard Cygnus remain in good shape.
Orbital ATK is proud and honored to name the OA-7 Cygnus cargo delivery spacecraft after former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn
There are 38 cubesats being launched aboard this Cygnus, 34 that will be transferred over to the space station for eventual deployments from the Japanese Kibo module’s airlock and four that are mounted externally to the cargo ship. After Cygnus departs the station in July, it will climb to a higher altitude, around 310 miles, and eject them into space.The six other cubesats going to the station include four from NASA, one from the Defense Department and one commercial. They include a mission to measure the cosmic X-ray background, one to test a new light-weight, longer-life battery system designed for the cold temperatures of space and another to measure ice particles within clouds.The four riding in the Cygnus external deployer are LEMUR-2 cubesats for meteorology and ship tracking.
One NASA cubesat is missing, the DOD cubesat could be Biarre-Point.