Author Topic: LIVE: Orbital's Cygnus ORB-2 (CRS-2) RNDZ/BERTHING/ISS STAY UPDATES (Read 40904 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 07/15/2014 11:04 pm »

LIVE UPDATE Coverage for RNDZ and BERTHING of Cygnus on the ORB-2 (CRS-2) to the International Space Station.

This is a live update thread, so all posts need to be updates, or they will be removed. Please use the other threads for non updates.

Resources:

Orbital GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=46.0

Orbital (Antares/Cygnus) News Articles:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/orbital/

Launch Overview Article by William Graham
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/antares-loft-orb-2-cygnus-path-iss/

Berthing Article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/orb-2-cygnus-iss-rendezvous-berthing/

==

L2 Antares/Cygnus Section - Really good section with a lot of documentation, video and content resources exclusive to L2:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0
(Now includes 100s of mbs of unreleased hi res images taken of Cygnus from the ISS during ORB-D And ORB-1).
L2 ORB-2/CRS-2 Updates: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35160.0

AnalogMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/16/2014 12:39 am »

ISS daily summary report July 14, 2014:

Orbital-2 (Orb-2) Launch: Orb-2 launched successfully yesterday, achieved a nominal orbit and the solar array was successfully deployed. Cygnus has executed several phasing burns to support rendezvous and grapple scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 at 5:39 am CDT followed by berthing to Node 2 (N2) Nadir. The Orbital team is working through an issue with one of Cygnus Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) radios, however, the redundant system is working without any issues. Ingress is scheduled for Thursday, July 17.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2014/07/14/iss-daily-summary-report-071414/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/16/2014 12:43 am »

RNDZ and Berthing article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/orb-2-cygnus-iss-rendezvous-berthing/

Targeteer · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/16/2014 07:03 am »

from the DPC, Janice Voss is 35km behind and 4km below ISS and CAPCOM reports all is going well

Targeteer · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/16/2014 08:21 am »

I have a low angle, 17 degree, pass of ISS and Cygnus shortly not expecting to be able to make both out but you never know

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/16/2014 08:27 am »

With the Neptec Tridar sensors having a star role today, we remember Atlantis after she tested them out for Cygnus!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/07/atlantis-gifts-tridar-orbitals-cygnus-iss-rendezvous-docking/

Targeteer · « **Reply #6 on:** 07/16/2014 08:41 am »

Quote from: Targeteer on 07/16/2014 08:21 am

I have a low angle, 17 degree, pass of ISS and Cygnus shortly not expecting to be able to make both out but you never know

May have seen Cygnus very dim behind ISS but a bright moon, street lights, and dirty glasses made it tough

Targeteer · « **Reply #7 on:** 07/16/2014 08:47 am »

Quote from: AnalogMan on 07/16/2014 12:39 am

ISS daily summary report July 14, 2014:

Orbital-2 (Orb-2) Launch: Orb-2 launched successfully yesterday, achieved a nominal orbit and the solar array was successfully deployed. Cygnus has executed several phasing burns to support rendezvous and grapple scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 at 5:39 am CDT followed by berthing to Node 2 (N2) Nadir. The Orbital team is working through an issue with one of Cygnus Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) radios, however, the redundant system is working without any issues. Ingress is scheduled for Thursday, July 17.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2014/07/14/iss-daily-summary-report-071414/

Maybe the light weight S band transmitters lost too much weight

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #8 on:** 07/16/2014 09:12 am »

Reid Wiseman ‏@astro_reid
First tiny glimpse of @OrbitalSciences #Cygnus #Orb2 – lower right over the ocean

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can also see it at the ISS Live Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream

Targeteer · « **Reply #9 on:** 07/16/2014 09:23 am »

Live NASA coverage has started per broken audio on the ISS link above but the NASA TV satellite feed and all the online channels (public, media, education) are showing replays of the launch...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 07/16/2014 09:27 am »

NASA TV coverage has technical issues, thus the B-Roll coverage.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #11 on:** 07/16/2014 09:34 am »

I don't think we're going to get any NASA TV Coverage!

Cygnus is inside 1000 meters of ISS. Crew of Steve Swanson @astro_reid @Astro_Alex have the OrbitalSciences ship in sight

Targeteer · « **Reply #12 on:** 07/16/2014 09:37 am »

NASA TV coverage started, finally

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #13 on:** 07/16/2014 09:37 am »

And we now have live coverage!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #14 on:** 07/16/2014 09:37 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 07/16/2014 09:38 am »

FD is Emily Nelson

Targeteer · « **Reply #16 on:** 07/16/2014 09:39 am »

No more complaints about SpaceX coverage when a multi-billion dollar agency can't get it's act together

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 07/16/2014 09:39 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 07/16/2014 09:39 am »

The controller with the big job today.

Targeteer · « **Reply #19 on:** 07/16/2014 09:40 am »

two Cygies on the control console

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 07/16/2014 09:41 am »

Around one hour to grapple.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 07/16/2014 09:42 am »

Go to proceed inside the KOS from 250m.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #22 on:** 07/16/2014 09:43 am »

Soon to arrive in that box......on the Cupola RWS.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #23 on:** 07/16/2014 09:43 am »

Moving to 30 meters.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #24 on:** 07/16/2014 09:48 am »

Tally ho!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #25 on:** 07/16/2014 09:53 am »

Out of KU.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #26 on:** 07/16/2014 09:54 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #27 on:** 07/16/2014 09:58 am »

RWS view.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 07/16/2014 09:59 am »

Cygnus sneaking in!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #29 on:** 07/16/2014 10:05 am »

Just over 30 mins to capture. On the timeline. Cygnus performing well.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #30 on:** 07/16/2014 10:06 am »

40 meters and heading over California (if spotting is available to you and you're not asleep!

)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #31 on:** 07/16/2014 10:07 am »

Impossible to capture, but there are thunderstorms below Cygnus! Nice!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #32 on:** 07/16/2014 10:10 am »

Cygnus at the 30 meter hold point.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #33 on:** 07/16/2014 10:10 am »

Sunrise!

"It wasn't us that turned on the lights"

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #34 on:** 07/16/2014 10:11 am »

Gerst and Swanny in the Cupola.

Texas to Oklahoma below.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #35 on:** 07/16/2014 10:12 am »

Final go/no go to proceed inside 30 meters next.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 07/16/2014 10:12 am »

HDEV Camera view!!!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 07/16/2014 10:13 am »

Oh wow....

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #38 on:** 07/16/2014 10:14 am »

Heading over Chicago!

Targeteer · « **Reply #39 on:** 07/16/2014 10:15 am »

can the HDEV see capture?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 07/16/2014 10:15 am »

Michigan and the Great Lakes, heading to Ottawa, Canada.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #41 on:** 07/16/2014 10:17 am »

Swanny and Gerst ready!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #42 on:** 07/16/2014 10:18 am »

Proceeding to the Capture Point from 30 meters!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 07/16/2014 10:19 am »

Reid has joined in to watch and the Russians!

Packed Cupola.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 07/16/2014 10:20 am »

HDEV again!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #45 on:** 07/16/2014 10:20 am »

Over Newfoundland.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #46 on:** 07/16/2014 10:24 am »

Waiting on the final go/no go poll from MCC-D and MCC-H.

Taking picture for Jester

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #47 on:** 07/16/2014 10:25 am »

Short KU drop out.

eric z · « **Reply #48 on:** 07/16/2014 10:25 am »

thanks Chris for the great coverage! Janice Voss was a great astronaut, and let's all remember her great career!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #49 on:** 07/16/2014 10:26 am »

Arm going out to grab itself a Cygnus.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #50 on:** 07/16/2014 10:27 am »

That was nice. Cygnus easing herself into position.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #51 on:** 07/16/2014 10:27 am »

At the capture point!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 07/16/2014 10:29 am »

Go for capture, over Spain (that was a fast trip across the Atlantic!)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #53 on:** 07/16/2014 10:30 am »

Going through the robotics steps.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 07/16/2014 10:31 am »

Oh wow. Move the camera down!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #55 on:** 07/16/2014 10:32 am »

I'm guessing this Spain below.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 07/16/2014 10:33 am »

It was Spain, the Med and then north Africa.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #57 on:** 07/16/2014 10:34 am »

Moving in for Grapple.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #58 on:** 07/16/2014 10:34 am »

View from the SSRMS EE.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #59 on:** 07/16/2014 10:35 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #60 on:** 07/16/2014 10:36 am »

Good alignment.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #61 on:** 07/16/2014 10:37 am »

Snares closing.

GRAPPLE!!!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #62 on:** 07/16/2014 10:37 am »

"We now have a seventh crew member."

And a tribute for Dr. Voss.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #63 on:** 07/16/2014 10:39 am »

Well that was smooooth.

Ok, a lot of robotics to come. Keep an eye on things and let's ensure we get first and second stage berthing in a few hours.

Off to cover the next event, which is the launch of Saturn V with Apollo 11!! To the Moon!!

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35180.0

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #64 on:** 07/16/2014 10:41 am »

Oh and article updated to where we are right now.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/orb-2-cygnus-iss-rendezvous-berthing/

I cheated with the image out of L2, but let's keep that between us, yeah?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #65 on:** 07/16/2014 10:45 am »

One more....

meat10af · « **Reply #66 on:** 07/16/2014 11:39 am »

I photographed the duo flying overhead at around 4:35 EST today! SS Janice Voss is the faint object on the right.

John44 · « **Reply #67 on:** 07/16/2014 11:39 am »

Orbital Sciences/Cygnus-2 - Rendezvous and Grapple
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8993

SaxtonHale · « **Reply #68 on:** 07/16/2014 11:50 am »

Daylight

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #69 on:** 07/16/2014 11:52 am »

All,

Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft successfully berthed to the International Space Station at this morning at 6:36 a.m. EDT. On board were 32 CubeSats and 10 internal payloads from NanoRacks’ customers. The payloads held dozens of research experiments, technology demonstrations, and satellites set to deploy from the Space Station. NanoRacks customers included NASA Ames, the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program, Valley Christian High School, MIT Lincoln Labs, Planet Labs and more.

The first CubeSat deployment via the NanoRacks deployer is scheduled for the end of July.

Please find a copy of the press release attached or at this link: http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/NanoRacks-Release-26-Cygnus-Successfully-Berthed-to-ISS.pdf

If you have any questions or would like further details on NanoRacks payloads and experiments, please reach out to me at any time.

Thanks,

Abby

Abby Dickes

Marketing Communications Manager

NanoRacks, LLC

SaxtonHale · « **Reply #70 on:** 07/16/2014 12:07 pm »

Missed the movement... I hope someone is recording the HDEV stream

SaxtonHale · « **Reply #71 on:** 07/16/2014 12:20 pm »

Final stages of installation

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #72 on:** 07/16/2014 12:20 pm »

Whoa, they are ahead of schedule!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 07/16/2014 12:24 pm »

Crew ops for hatch opening still scheduled for tomorrow, but they can sometimes go the same day if they get ahead.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #74 on:** 07/16/2014 12:28 pm »

Moving in and aligning for RTL (Ready To Latch).

SaxtonHale · « **Reply #75 on:** 07/16/2014 12:33 pm »

Didn't know there was a camera here, is this from the outside of Destiny?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #76 on:** 07/16/2014 12:33 pm »

Coming up on bolting. Will need some of you guys to cover this part, as I'll be going to the Saturn V launch soon!

Oh, thanks SaxtonHale!

SaxtonHale · « **Reply #77 on:** 07/16/2014 12:38 pm »

3-4 cm from RTL position. Reid reports lunch complete

(unless I misheard that)

Have to leave for work, though.

edit: "RTL in work"

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #78 on:** 07/16/2014 12:50 pm »

RTL.

First stage capture beginning. SSRMS to limp.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #79 on:** 07/16/2014 12:51 pm »

Go for Second Stage capture!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #80 on:** 07/16/2014 12:53 pm »

And there it is!

8:53am Central for completion of berthing!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/orb-2-cygnus-iss-rendezvous-berthing/

bolun · « **Reply #81 on:** 07/16/2014 01:27 pm »

Blue Dot robotic arm test-run

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/07/Blue_Dot_robotic_arm_test-run

Image credit: ESA/NASA

John44 · « **Reply #82 on:** 07/16/2014 01:32 pm »

Orbital Sciences/Cygnus-2 - Rendezvous and Berthing to the ISS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8994

gwiz · « **Reply #83 on:** 07/16/2014 02:06 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 07/16/2014 11:52 am

Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft successfully berthed to the International Space Station at this morning at 6:36 a.m. EDT. On board were 32 CubeSats and 10 internal payloads from NanoRacks’ customers...Please find a copy of the press release attached or at this link: http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/NanoRacks-Release-26-Cygnus-Successfully-Berthed-to-ISS.pdf

That's a third Cubesat that wasn't announced in the press kit. What does GEARSSAAT do exactly? Whose satellite is it?

Artyom. · « **Reply #84 on:** 07/16/2014 02:54 pm »

My congratulations

!

Lars_J · « **Reply #85 on:** 07/16/2014 04:53 pm »

Nice, making it look easy!

baldusi · « **Reply #86 on:** 07/16/2014 05:12 pm »

Congratulations! They make it look so simple and easy. I still wonder, is there a special "surprise" for Gerst?

jacqmans · « **Reply #87 on:** 07/16/2014 05:19 pm »

Orbital’s Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Berths with International Space Station

-- Launch, Rendezvous and Berthing Operations of Company’s Third Space Station Cargo Logistics Mission Proceeded Smoothly --

-- Unloading of Over 3,600 Pounds of Cargo Scheduled to Begin Tomorrow with 30-Day Stay at Station Planned --

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 16, 2014-- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that its Cygnus™ cargo logistics spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and approach maneuvers with the International Space Station (ISS) and was grappled and berthed with the Station by the Expedition 40 astronaut crew earlier this morning. After Cygnus was launched into orbit by Orbital’s Antares™ rocket on Sunday, July 13, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia, it completed a series of thruster firings and other maneuvers bringing the spacecraft in close proximity to the ISS. Final approach to the Station began at about 3:00 a.m. (EDT) this morning, culminating with the Station’s robotic arm grappling the spacecraft at 6:36 a.m. when it was about 30 feet (10 meters) from the ISS. Cygnus was then guided to its berthing port on the nadir side of the ISS’ Harmony module where its installation was completed shortly before 10:00 a.m. this morning.

“Our third cargo mission for NASA has proceeded very smoothly, from the Antares launch from Wallops this past Sunday to this morning’s rendezvous, grapple and installation at the Space Station,” said Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am very proud of our Antares and Cygnus teams for their exceptional performance on the mission to deliver vital equipment and supplies to the crew aboard the Station. I also want to pay tribute to our former Orbital colleague and NASA astronaut, the late Dr. Janice Voss, for whom this spacecraft is dedicated.”

Cygnus is delivering approximately 3,670 pounds (1,665 kilograms) of cargo and science payloads to the Expedition 40 astronauts. The crew plans to open the Cygnus hatch and make initial ingress into its cargo module tomorrow. Cygnus will remain berthed at the ISS for approximately 30 days before departing with an estimated 2,800 pounds (1,300 kilograms) of disposable cargo. Orbital will also conduct a series of in-orbit tests designed to provide data to help enhance the vehicle’s performance for future uses. It is scheduled for a safe destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean five days after departing the Station. Including a demonstration mission conducted in 2013, this is the third berthing with the ISS by a Cygnus spacecraft, which collectively have delivered approximately 8,400 pounds (3,800 kilograms) of supplies and science experiments to the orbiting laboratory.

Under a $1.9 billion contract with NASA, Orbital will use Antares and Cygnus to deliver up to 44,000 pounds (20,000 kilograms) of cargo to the ISS over eight missions, including the mission currently underway, through late 2016. For these missions, NASA will manifest a variety of essential items based on ISS program needs, including food, clothing, crew supplies, spare parts and equipment, and scientific experiments.

About Cygnus

Orbital developed the Cygnus cargo spacecraft under a joint research and development program with NASA. Cygnus consists of a common Service Module (SM) and a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM). The SM incorporates avionics, power, propulsion and communications systems already successfully flown aboard dozens of Orbital’s LEOStar™ and GEOStar™ satellites. The PCM, designed and built by Thales Alenia Space under a subcontract from Orbital, is based on the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) previously used with the Space Shuttle. With a full load of cargo and fuel, the standard-configuration Cygnus weighs about 5,200 kilograms at launch and generates 3.5 kilowatts of electrical power while in orbit. It is capable of extended-duration missions of a year or longer in space.

arachnitect · « **Reply #88 on:** 07/16/2014 08:40 pm »

Quote from: baldusi on 07/16/2014 05:12 pm

Congratulations! They make it look so simple and easy. I still wonder, is there a special "surprise" for Gerst?

You mean world cup related? Maybe, but remember Cygnus was sealed up last Tuesday (8th).

Targeteer · « **Reply #89 on:** 07/17/2014 09:08 am »

Crew reports the hatch is open and the vehicle is clean without debris or condensation

Targeteer · « **Reply #90 on:** 07/17/2014 09:30 am »

Just had a brilliant, zenith ISS pass--if only docking had been delayed a day... I saw something dim, ahead of and on track of ISS really moving. Is the 2nd stage still in orbit?

Targeteer · « **Reply #91 on:** 07/17/2014 09:33 am »

crew reports ingress complete

Targeteer · « **Reply #92 on:** 07/17/2014 10:14 am »

crew given the go to remove masks and eye protection

edkyle99 · « **Reply #93 on:** 07/17/2014 01:39 pm »

Quote from: Targeteer on 07/17/2014 09:30 am

Just had a brilliant, zenith ISS pass--if only docking had been delayed a day... I saw something dim, ahead of and on track of ISS really moving. Is the 2nd stage still in orbit?

Yes, about 200 km below ISS and decaying quickly. It will probably reenter within a week or two.

- Ed Kyle

grey · « **Reply #94 on:** 07/17/2014 02:56 pm »

July 16, Cygnus Arrival.

from Oleg Artemyev's blog:
http://www.artemjew.ru/en/2014/07/17/cygnus-arrival/

twitter: @OlegMKS - http://twitter.com/OlegMKS/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/olegmks

John44 · « **Reply #95 on:** 07/17/2014 06:00 pm »

Orbital Sciences Cygnus-2 - Cargo Ship Hatch Opening
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8999

Targeteer · « **Reply #96 on:** 07/18/2014 12:54 pm »

The crew just requested and received permission to use a MERLIN scientific "fridge" to keep some of the newly arrived goodies fresh for a longer period of time. Earlier one astronaut sounded very happy eating an apple