NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => NGIS (Formerly Orbital ATK) - Antares/Cygnus Section => Topic started by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/27/2018 07:13 pm
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Launch thread for NG-10
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ODAR for ELaNa-21
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Thanks gongora! OA-10 is carrying ELaNa 21 with cubesats
Aeternitas
Ceres
Libertas
TJREVERB
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Thanks gongora! OA-10 is carrying ELaNa 21 with cubesats
Aeternitas
Ceres
Libertas
TJREVERB
This NASA site https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches has these satellites
CIRiS – Utah State University, Logan
TechEdSat-8 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett, California
CAPSat – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
SASSI2 – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
CySat-1 – Iowa State University, Ames
SPACE HAUC – University of Massachusetts, Lowell
SOCRATES – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
TJREVERB – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Virginia CubeSat Constellation – Old Dominion Research Foundation, Norfolk
But the last update was Dec.,5 2017.
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But the last update was Dec.,5 2017.
Yes, but the ODAR is from 1 March 2018, so should be more accurate.
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But the last update was Dec.,5 2017.
Yes, but the ODAR is from 1 March 2018, so should be more accurate.
Maybe someone at NASA can update this site?
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Thanks gongora! OA-10 is carrying ELaNa 21 with cubesats
Aeternitas
Ceres
Libertas
TJREVERB
This NASA site https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches has these satellites
CIRiS – Utah State University, Logan
TechEdSat-8 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett, California
CAPSat – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
SASSI2 – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
CySat-1 – Iowa State University, Ames
SPACE HAUC – University of Massachusetts, Lowell
SOCRATES – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
TJREVERB – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Virginia CubeSat Constellation – Old Dominion Research Foundation, Norfolk
But the last update was Dec.,5 2017.
I think Aeternitas, Ceres, and Libertas are the "Virginia Cubesat Constellation". Some others could be added later. There have been several revisions on the earlier ELaNa ODARs. I saw CAPSat has their paperwork started but it didn't specify the launch yet.
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I think Aeternitas, Ceres, and Libertas are the "Virginia Cubesat Constellation". Some others could be added later. There have been several revisions on the earlier ELaNa ODARs. I saw CAPSat has their paperwork started but it didn't specify the launch yet.
The Virginia Cubesat Constellation has three cubesats from ODU, Virginia Tech, and UVa.
http://hrscene.com/community/nasa-selects-virginia-students-to-develop-and-fly-satellites/
Gunter's Space Page also confirms this
http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/vcc.htm
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This NASA site https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches has these satellites
CIRiS – Utah State University, Logan
TechEdSat-8 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett, California
CAPSat – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
SASSI2 – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
CySat-1 – Iowa State University, Ames
SPACE HAUC – University of Massachusetts, Lowell
SOCRATES – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
TJREVERB – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Virginia CubeSat Constellation – Old Dominion Research Foundation, Norfolk
But the last update was Dec.,5 2017.
That is for ELaNa 25, not ELaNa 21 which is flying on OA-10. Does anyone know which mission ELaNa 25 is flying on?
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It looks like they have split the "old" ELaNa 25 and create a new ElaNa 21, which is not yet included in the cited document.
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FCC File Number 0401-EX-CN-2018
The goals of the UNITE CubeSat mission are to: measure plasma properties of the lower
ionosphere using a Langmuir Plasma Probe, monitor its own internal and skin temperatures via a
temperature sensor array for use in updating a thermal model of the spacecraft, and carefully track
the CubeSat’s orbital decay using data from an onboard GPS unit.
The satellite will launch November 21, 2018, on an Orbital ATK Antares II Cygnus ISS resupply
mission. It will be deployed from the International Space Station via the NanoRacks CubeSat
Deployer in early 2019.
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FCC File Number 0401-EX-CN-2018
The goals of the UNITE CubeSat mission are to: measure plasma properties of the lower
ionosphere using a Langmuir Plasma Probe, monitor its own internal and skin temperatures via a
temperature sensor array for use in updating a thermal model of the spacecraft, and carefully track
the CubeSat’s orbital decay using data from an onboard GPS unit.
The satellite will launch November 21, 2018, on an Orbital ATK Antares II Cygnus ISS resupply
mission. It will be deployed from the International Space Station via the NanoRacks CubeSat
Deployer in early 2019.
Weird form factor listed on TechEdSat-8. Got to be a mistake, no? 6x1U in a single stack, as opposed to 2x3U?
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FCC File Number 0401-EX-CN-2018
The goals of the UNITE CubeSat mission are to: measure plasma properties of the lower
ionosphere using a Langmuir Plasma Probe, monitor its own internal and skin temperatures via a
temperature sensor array for use in updating a thermal model of the spacecraft, and carefully track
the CubeSat’s orbital decay using data from an onboard GPS unit.
The satellite will launch November 21, 2018, on an Orbital ATK Antares II Cygnus ISS resupply
mission. It will be deployed from the International Space Station via the NanoRacks CubeSat
Deployer in early 2019.
Weird form factor listed on TechEdSat-8. Got to be a mistake, no? 6x1U in a single stack, as opposed to 2x3U?
No, 6x1U is correct. See page 18 on http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/SummerWorkshop2017/Alena.pdf
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1063-EX-ST-2018
The overall goal of the ThinSat-1 mission, is to orbit 60 small experiments to advance STEM
education, and promote space science research and systems engineering for grades 4 – 12 and
universities. It includes approximately 70 schools from nine states. The student teams will analyze
the data collected by their experiment and submit a report detailing their findings. The students
will track their experiment and receive data in near real time through the Globalstar network and
the Space Data Dashboard website. Online content and resources will enhance the educational
experience.
The experiments will be deployed aboard 12 satellites, ThinSat-1A through ThinSat-1L, launched
as a secondary payload aboard the Orbital ATK OA-10 on the Antares second stage, from the midAtlantic
Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia, November 1, 2018. The satellites will be
inserted into Extremely Low Earth Orbit (ELEO), at 250 km apogee and 203 km perigee, on an
inclination from the equator of 51.6 degrees. They are deployed from 4 canisters mounted
externally on the second stage of the launcher; they unfold accordion style as they exit the canister.
Transmission will begin upon deployment, and cease less than 14 days later, when de-orbiting
occurs. See the Orbital Debris Assessment Report for details.
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Here is an updated Version of the ELaNa 21-CubeSats.
https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches
ELaNa 21
Date: NET November 17, 2018
Mission: NG-10 – Antares, Wallops Flight Facility, Va.
9 CubeSat Missions scheduled to be deployed
•CAPSat – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
•CySat-1 – Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
•HARP – University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland
•KickSat-2 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett, California
•SPACE HAUC – University of Massachusetts, Lowell
•TechEdSat-8 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett, California
•TJREVERB – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia
•UNITE – Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
•Virginia CubeSat Constellation – Old Dominion Research Foundation, Norfolk, Virginia
OPAL and Phoenix were removed.
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Thanks Olaf. In that link the flight is being called NG-10, so the thread title needs to be updated.
"ELaNa 21
Date: NET November 17, 2018
Mission: NG-10 – Antares, Wallops Flight Facility, Va.
9 CubeSat Missions scheduled to be deployed"
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This seems to be on NG-10.
The document is heavily redacted but it looks like it might be an external payload that will stay attached to Cygnus and be tested for 10 days when Cygnus moves to the higher orbit after leaving ISS?
UbiquitiLink (1247-EX-ST-2018)
UbiquitiLink, Inc. (UBLink), is a Virginia corporation, incorporated on January 21, 2017. Its management team includes veterans of NASA, Nanoracks, Orbcomm, SpaceHab, Orbital, Fairchild, and Neustar. UBLink is developing a last-mile ubiquitous communications solution for Internet of Things (IOT) ... utilizing a constellation of small satellites.
edit: I guess I should have read the cover letter.
Our payload will launch on Northrop Grumman’s Antares launch vehicle, currently
scheduled for flight on 17 November 2018, and will be assembled on orbit at the
International Space Station by astronauts in January 2019.
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0619-EX-CN-2018
The overall goal of the NSLSAT-1 mission, is to correlate solar activity to electron density in the Near-Earth (LEO) plasma field. The spacecraft will carry a Energetic Particle Detector and a Langmuir Probe.
The satellite will be launched as a payload aboard a NASA CRS (Commercial Resupply Mission) inside a NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD). Current launch vehicle is the Orbital-ATK NG10 rocket, scheduled to launch from Wallops Island, VA in November 2018. About 90 days after this launch, the NG-10 will un berth from the ISS, boost to a higher orbit, and deploy the satellite. The satellite will be inserted into a near-circular orbit at 500 km at an inclination of 51.6 degrees from the equator.
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Iridium and NASA just learned that TechEdSat-8 has been added to the launch manifest for SpaceX-16, which is scheduled to be launched on December 1, 2018
The question is now, only TechEdSat-8 or all ELaNa-21 satellites?
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0619-EX-CN-2018
The overall goal of the NSLSAT-1 mission, is to correlate solar activity to electron density in the Near-Earth (LEO) plasma field. The spacecraft will carry a Energetic Particle Detector and a Langmuir Probe.
The satellite will be launched as a payload aboard a NASA CRS (Commercial Resupply Mission) inside a NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD). Current launch vehicle is the Orbital-ATK NG10 rocket, scheduled to launch from Wallops Island, VA in November 2018. About 90 days after this launch, the NG-10 will un berth from the ISS, boost to a higher orbit, and deploy the satellite. The satellite will be inserted into a near-circular orbit at 500 km at an inclination of 51.6 degrees from the equator.
I wonder whether the 90 days from that document includes free flight time, or is the NG10 Cygnus going to spend an even longer time berthed to station? OA/NG and NASA seem to have been more aggressive with demonstrating expanded capabilities on recent missions. So, given previous tests with temp stowing experiments in the Cygnus (Tangolab-1 on OA-8[?]) I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they look into extending the berthed time to 3 months (IIRC, Cygnus was previously limited to ~60 days). But maybe that 90 days is really 60 days at ISS and 30 days free flying prior to deployment?
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What is the current, planned launch date?
SpaceflightInsider's schedule says NET Nov 21st, but SpaceflightNow and the Northrop Grumman reddit page both say Nov 17th.
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Part of the science payload: BBC - Space muscles study to use tiny worms https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-43654139
A short video about the research was broadcasted today, probably will be made available on-line later on.
The launch date mentioned on the page is 29.11.2018
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The launch date mentioned on the page is 29.11.2018
The page is from April, 5, so not really up-to-date.
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The page is from April, 5, so not really up-to-date.
True, from NASA Wallops: NG-10/Antares - November 17, 2018 | TBD
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1018-EX-ST-2018
The Student Aerothermal Spectrometer Satellite of Illinois and Indiana (SASSI2) will be stowed in a
Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD) on the second stage of the Antares launch vehicle. SASSI2 is a
secondary payload, part of the Cygnus NG-10E mission. There are three primary components to the
payload of SASSI2: a spectrometer, a suite of three pressure sensors, and a heat flux sensor. The payload
is meant to characterize the atmospheric conditions of re-entry to better inform re-entry simulation
software and to validate the CubeSat platform’s ability to complete a mission like this.
The satellite will be launched from the second stage of the Antares launch vehicle on November 17, 2018.
It will be inserted into an orbit that is approximately 187 km by 295 km, at an inclination of 51.6°.
Transmission of data will begin no sooner than 46.5 minutes after deployment. Atmospheric drag will
deorbit SASSI2 approximately 11 days after deployment and the mission will be concluded.
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1047891969320652801
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https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/1048226353139650560
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http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=121641355
Abu Dhabi students are putting their career plans into orbit after teaming up to launch their very own satellite — a team of about 20 students at Khalifa University of Science and Technology have been working since 2015 to design the MYSAT-1, a smallsat set to soar into space this November.
The smallsat weighs 1.3kg and was developed by students enrolled in the Space Systems and Technology Masters in Engineering degree at the university. It is all set for lift-off in November from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), and will serve educational and research purposes.
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October 17, 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY M18-153
NASA Invites Media to Northrop Grumman Cygnus Launch from Virginia
Media accreditation now is open for the launch from Virginia of Northrop Grumman’s 10th commercial resupply services mission to deliver NASA science investigations, supplies and equipment to the International Space Station aboard its Cygnus spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman is targeting liftoff, on its Antares launch vehicle, no earlier than 4:49 a.m. EST Nov. 15 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island.
To cover the prelaunch and launch activities at Wallops, international media without U.S. citizenship must apply for credentials by Thursday, Oct. 25. The application deadline for media who are U.S. citizens is Thursday, Nov. 8.
U.S. media also are invited to Wallops to speak with NASA and Northrop Grumman officials about the upcoming mission, and view and photograph the Cygnus spacecraft, at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24. The deadline for accreditation for this opportunity is noon Tuesday, Oct. 23.
Officials available for interviews at this event include:
•Kathleen Boggs, Systems and Technology Demonstration manager, International Space Station Division, NASA Headquarters
•Rick Mastracchio, former NASA astronaut and senior director of Operations, Commercial Resupply Services Program at Northrop Grumman
• Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman
All accreditation requests must be sent to Keith Koehler at [email protected].
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.
Highlights of space station research that will be facilitated by research aboard this Cygnus are:
•An investigation into the complex process of cement solidification to explore how gravity levels like those on the Moon and Mars may potentially affect concrete hardening.
•Research to develop a mathematical model for how an astronaut’s perception of motion, body position and distance to objects changes in space.
•A test of the first integrated 3D printer and recycler to turn waste plastic materials into high-quality 3D-printer filament to create tools and materials, a key capability for future long-duration space missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
Included in the cargo are investigations that will enable U.S. National Laboratory research, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. They include a physical sciences investigation to evaluate a method for producing fiber optic cable in space and astrophysics research to examine the formation of chondrules, some of the oldest material in the solar system.
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.
Get more information about Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus resupply missions at:
https://www.nasa.gov/northropgrumman
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I suppose this becomes the first launch to the ISS after the Soyuz failure. I wonder if there's any changes in manifest due to the different crew requirements now.
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I suppose this becomes the first launch to the ISS after the Soyuz failure. I wonder if there's any changes in manifest due to the different crew requirements now.
Any small items going up on Cygnus NG-10 that were supposed to go up on Soyuz MS-10?
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The next Progress launch might not be far behind this one.
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A bit of trivia: in the CRS solicitations or contract award documents, NASA stated that berthing of a cargo ship to the ISS would never occur while anything was berthed to Node 2 Nadir. (Berthing could occur while something was berthed to Node 1 Nadir -- and, indeed, this has happened several times already.)
The document never stated exactly why this was the case, but my assumption was that it had to do with providing as large a capture envelope as possible, either because there was a risk of collision or simply to improve visibility.
However, it now appears that NG-10 will berth to Node 1 Nadir while HTV-7 remains berthed to Node 2 Nadir. Can anyone shed light on why this is now permitted?
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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/10/23/station-preps-for-japan-us-ship-operations-next-month/
The packed HTV-7 is due to be removed from the Harmony module with the Canadarm2 and released back into Earth orbit in November.
An American cargo ship is due to replenish the Expedition 57 crew a few days after the HTV-7 leaves. Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter will take a three-day trip in space before it is captured with the Canadarm2 and berthed to the Unity module.
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1054729819190185986
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1054855491942342657
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1055168550690848768
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http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/Antares/Documents/NG-10_Factsheet.pdf
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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/10/23/station-preps-for-japan-us-ship-operations-next-month/
The packed HTV-7 is due to be removed from the Harmony module with the Canadarm2 and released back into Earth orbit in November.
Interesting, so this supplies a missing piece of information. Thanks!
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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/10/23/station-preps-for-japan-us-ship-operations-next-month/
The packed HTV-7 is due to be removed from the Harmony module with the Canadarm2 and released back into Earth orbit in November.
Interesting, so this supplies a missing piece of information. Thanks!
But not what happens to the EP and batteries...
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Northrop Grumman Cygnus Commercial Resupply Services Mission (NG-10) logo.
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Cross-post re: NanoRacks Cubesats deployment:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/Antares/Documents/NG-10_Factsheet.pdf
Once Cygnus is unberthed, a NanoRacks deployer will release three Cubesats from both above and below the station.
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NASA logo
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https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1055705858649350144
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In the photo tweeted by Ken Kremer, how does the new fairing for Cygnus NG-11 differ from the one used on previous Antares vehicles?
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In the photo tweeted by Ken Kremer, how does the new fairing for Cygnus NG-11 differ from the one used on previous Antares vehicles?
"1st lateload cargoflight/newfairing." Apparently it has side hatch they can put in late load on the pad at Wallops & The Cape.
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In the photo tweeted by Ken Kremer, how does the new fairing for Cygnus NG-11 differ from the one used on previous Antares vehicles?
"1st lateload cargoflight/newfairing." Apparently it has side hatch they can put in late load on the pad at Wallops & The Cape.
Thanks. I thought they redesigned the fairing to make it lighter, or something else.
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In the photo tweeted by Ken Kremer, how does the new fairing for Cygnus NG-11 differ from the one used on previous Antares vehicles?
"1st lateload cargoflight/newfairing." Apparently it has side hatch they can put in late load on the pad at Wallops & The Cape.
I thought they had previously said the end (nose cap) of the new fairing can be detached, which is kinda what it looks like here (there is a seam all the way around near the top).
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1056985334104367105
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1059453000509546496
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1059826242319540225
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 11/08/2018
Northrop Grumman-10 (NG-10) Cygnus Rendezvous On-board Training (OBT): The crew reviewed the NG-10 mission profile, rendezvous crew procedures, and interfaces necessary for monitoring and commanding to the Cygnus vehicle. NG-10 is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on November 18.
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How to View Nov. 15 NG-10 Antares Launch
Rob Garner Posted on November 9, 2018
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport are set to support the launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket, carrying the company’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 4:49 a.m. EST, Nov. 15.
The launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents up and down the East Coast of the United States.
When accessed from a smartphone browser, the Wallops Mission Status Center website can provide specific viewing information based on your location. Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites.
Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. EST Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites. Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV will begin at 4:15 a.m. EST Nov. 15.
Full coverage details
For local launch-viewers, the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops opens at 1 a.m. on launch day for public viewing. Additional locations for catching the launch are Robert Reed Park on Chincoteague Island or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will not be open for viewing the launch.
Visitors are reminded that alcohol, pets and firearms are not allowed on the NASA Visitor Center grounds.
Guidance from NASA on drone use for viewing Wallops launches
Guidance for mariners (PDF)
Guidance for pilots (PDF)
Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, Cygnus will carry about 7,200 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the space station, including science and research in support of dozens of research investigations.
Included in the cargo are investigations that will enable U.S. National Laboratory research, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. They include a physical sciences investigation to evaluate a method for producing fiber optic cable in space and astrophysics research to examine the formation of chondrules, some of the oldest material in the solar system.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/09/how-to-view-nov-15-ng-10-antares-launch/
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November 09, 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY M18-171
NASA TV Coverage Set for Nov. 15 Cygnus Launch to International Space Station
Antares and Cygnus in Wallops HIF
NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its Antares rocket, carrying the Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station, at 4:49 a.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 15. The launch, as well as briefings preceding and following the launch, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
Loaded with 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this 10th commercial resupply mission for Northrop Grumman will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
About 70 minutes after launch, an automated command will initiate deployment of the spacecraft’s solar arrays. Full deployment will take approximately 30 minutes.
The Cygnus spacecraft, dubbed the SS John Young, will arrive at the space station Sunday, Nov. 18. At about 4:35 a.m., Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor of NASA will grapple the spacecraft using the station’s robotic arm. She will be backed up by Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), who will monitor Cygnus systems during its approach. After capture, ground controllers will command the robotic arm to rotate and install Cygnus on the bottom of the station’s Unity module.
Complete coverage of launch activities is as follows:
Tuesday, Nov. 13:
2 p.m. – What’s on Board science briefing
Tara Ruttley, associate chief scientist for Microgravity Research in NASA’s Office of the Chief Scientist
Diane Risdon, In-Space Manufacturing Refabricator project lead at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Liz Warren, associate program scientist for the station’s National Lab
Allison Porter, flight mission manager at Tethers Unlimited
Michelle Lucas, founder and president of Higher Orbits
Student researchers with Higher Orbits
Wednesday, Nov. 14:
11 a.m. – Prelaunch news conference
Joel Montalbano, International Space Station Program deputy manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center
Tara Ruttley
Doug Voss, deputy chief of the Range and Mission Management Office at Wallops
Frank DeMauro, vice president for Human Space Systems and Logistics at Northrop Grumman
Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman
Thursday, Nov. 15:
4:15 a.m. – Launch coverage begins
5:45 a.m. – Cygnus solar array deployment
7 a.m. – Postlaunch news conference
Joel Montalbano
Frank DeMauro
Kurt Eberly
Sunday, Nov. 18
3 a.m. – Grapple of Cygnus with the space station’s robotic arm
6:15 a.m. – Cygnus installation operations
Media registration for the launch and associated activities is closed. However, media may participate via phone in the What’s on Board briefing and prelaunch and postlaunch news conferences. Media interested in participating must contact Stephanie Schierholz at [email protected] for call details.
Media already registered to attend launch activities at Wallops can get more information on schedules, facility hours of operation, remote camera setup, and more at:
https://go.nasa.gov/2z4Oj3k
The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until Feb. 12, 2019, when it will depart, taking with it several tons of trash, and deploy several CubeSats before its fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Learn more about the Northrop Grumman CRS-10 mission by going to the mission home page at:
https://www.nasa.gov/northropgrumman
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Scheduled to stay at the space station almost 3 months. That will provide the crew a extra room
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Interviewing Frank DeMauro (Cygnus) and Kurt Eberly (Antares) Monday, 12 November at 16:00 EST.
If anyone has any questions about the upcoming NG-10 mission, please PM them to me.
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Any last minute payload/manifest changes as a result of the MS-10 failure?
This is the first launch for the THINSATs, correct? Any interesting stories/thoughts on the THINSAT program?
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Any last minute payload/manifest changes as a result of the MS-10 failure?
This is the first launch for the THINSATs, correct? Any interesting stories/thoughts on the THINSAT program?
They were moved to the next flight.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46582.msg1871511#msg1871511
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I was not aware of that STA change. Thanks!
But why was it necessary? Since the ThinSats are deployed after second stage separation, how is it that the MS-10 mishap is affecting the ThinSats at all? I am failing to see the connection.
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Are now any cubesats at all on this mission?
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Are now any cubesats at all on this mission?
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/Antares/Documents/NG-10_Factsheet.pdf
Once Cygnus is unberthed, a NanoRacks deployer will release three Cubesats from both above and below the station.
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Bumping as I only got one PM. If you have any questions for Frank and Kurt about Cygnus' upcoming NG-10 flight to ISS (including any questions about Antares), PM them to me. Interview is at 16:00 EST (2100 UTC), so PM me your questions by 15:30 EST (2030 UTC).
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Forecast for NG-10 Launch, 3 Days Out
Rob Garner Posted on November 12, 2018
The three-days-out launch range forecast has been issued for Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with Cygnus cargo spacecraft on the company’s NG-10 resupply mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for 4:49 a.m EST on Nov. 15 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
An area of low pressure is expected to develop and bring rain showers to the Southeastern United States on Wednesday. These showers will quickly progress to the northeast on Wednesday night into early Thursday, drawing very close to Wallops by the launch window early Thursday morning. The timing of these showers will be key for determining weather suitability for launch Thursday.
The next launch range forecast will be issued Nov. 13.
The NG-10 mission’s Cygnus spacecraft, dubbed the SS John Young, after NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer John Young, is loaded with 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware.
Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. EST Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites. Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV will begin at 4:15 a.m. EST Nov. 15.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/12/forecast-for-ng-10-launch-3-days-out/
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How to View Nov. 15 NG-10 Antares Launch
Rob Garner Posted on November 9, 2018
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport are set to support the launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket, carrying the company’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 4:49 a.m. EST, Nov. 15.
The launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents up and down the East Coast of the United States.
When accessed from a smartphone browser, the Wallops Mission Status Center website can provide specific viewing information based on your location. Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites.
Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. EST Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites. Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV will begin at 4:15 a.m. EST Nov. 15.
Full coverage details
For local launch-viewers, the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops opens at 1 a.m. on launch day for public viewing. Additional locations for catching the launch are Robert Reed Park on Chincoteague Island or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will not be open for viewing the launch.
Visitors are reminded that alcohol, pets and firearms are not allowed on the NASA Visitor Center grounds.
Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, Cygnus will carry about 7,200 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the space station, including science and research in support of dozens of research investigations.
Included in the cargo are investigations that will enable U.S. National Laboratory research, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. They include a physical sciences investigation to evaluate a method for producing fiber optic cable in space and astrophysics research to examine the formation of chondrules, some of the oldest material in the solar system.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/09/how-to-view-nov-15-ng-10-antares-launch/
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Here's the link to the Wallops Ustream site.
https://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops
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Images of the rollout have been posted: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/sets/72157703533988235/
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Antares Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad
Rob Garner Posted on November 13, 2018
Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard is now at Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
The Antares was rolled out of the Horizontal Integration Facility at Wallops late in the evening on Nov. 12.
NASA commercial cargo provider Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its NG-10 resupply mission to the International Space Station at 4:49 a.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 15.
The NG-10 mission’s Cygnus spacecraft, dubbed the SS John Young, after NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer John Young, is loaded with 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware.
Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. EST Nov. 14 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites. Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV will begin at 4:15 a.m. EST Nov. 15.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/13/antares-rocket-arrives-at-launch-pad/
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1062359053081423873
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When is the next weather update?
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When is the next weather update?
Should be pretty similar to SpaceX Falcon 9 : Es’hail-2 : NET Nov 15, 2018
Weather forecast 60% GO:
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 40%
Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layer Rule, Cumulus Cloud Rule
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds
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L-2 Forecast: 30-Percent Favorable (https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/13/l-2-forecast-30-percent-favorable/)
The latest Wallops range forecast for the scheduled launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket on Nov. 15 puts weather at 30-percent favorable. At this time, the main weather concerns for a Thursday morning launch are thick clouds, disturbed weather and low cloud ceilings.
An area of low pressure will quickly develop on Wednesday over the Deep South, bringing rain showers to the Southeastern United States during the day. These showers will progress to the northeast on Wednesday night into early Thursday, likely arriving in the Wallops area by the time of the launch window.
After the launch window, rain will become heavy at times with increasing winds during the day on Thursday. Windy conditions will continue through Friday, with winds diminishing Friday night.
The Antares, with its International Space Station-bound Cygnus cargo spacecraft, is scheduled for liftoff at 4:49 a.m. EST on Nov. 15 from Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
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If they can't launch on the 15th, when is the next available launch window?
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More photos posted by NASA
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If they can't launch on the 15th, when is the next available launch window?
The 17th.
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If they can't launch on the 15th, when is the next available launch window?
The 17th.
So there is no possibility of an attempt on the 16th, regardless of weather conditions?
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If they can't launch on the 15th, when is the next available launch window?
The 17th.
So there is no possibility of an attempt on the 16th, regardless of weather conditions?
That's my understanding from what I was told by someone attending as press. Being second-hand, I'd take it with a grain of salt.
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If they can't launch on the 15th, when is the next available launch window?
The 17th.
So there is no possibility of an attempt on the 16th, regardless of weather conditions?
That's my understanding from what I was told by someone attending as press. Being second-hand, I'd take it with a grain of salt.
NGIS bosses yesterday in interview with me talked about opportunities on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 24hr scrub turnaround is 100% possible.
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NGIS bosses yesterday in interview with me talked about opportunities on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Antares rocket transferred to Virginia launch pad for station resupply flight (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/11/13/antares-rocket-transferred-to-virginia-launch-pad-for-station-resupply-flight/), Stephen Clark, dated Nov. 13
Weather conditions are not forecast to improve much for a backup launch opportunity available Friday, when meteorologists at Wallops predict a 65 percent chance of weather prohibiting liftoff, again due to clouds and an increasing chance of gusty winds.
<snip>
Conditions for a launch attempt Saturday could be much improved, with only a 5 percent chance of weather violating a launch weather rule.
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Antares NG-10: What’s On Board?
Rob Garner Posted on November 13, 2018
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft is set to lift off aboard the company’s Antares rocket on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 4:49 a.m. EST (9:49 a.m. UTC) from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, Cygnus will carry about 7,500 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the International Space Station, including science and research in support of dozens of research investigations.
Highlights of space station research that will be facilitated by investigations aboard this Cygnus include:
A test of the first integrated 3D printer and recycler to turn waste plastic materials into high-quality 3D-printer filament to create tools and materials, a key capability for future long-duration space missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
A small device that contains human cells in a 3D matrix represents a giant leap in the ability of scientists to test how those cells respond to stresses, drugs and genetic changes. About the size of a thumb drive, the devices are known as tissue chips or organs on chips.
The Tissue Chips in Space initiative seeks to better understand the role of microgravity on human health and disease and to translate that understanding to improved human health on Earth.
Many of the changes in the human body caused by microgravity resemble the onset and progression of diseases associated with aging on Earth, such as bone and muscle loss. But the space-related changes occur much faster. That means scientists may be able to use tissue chips in space to model changes that might take months or years to happen on Earth.
Higher Orbits’ “Go For Launch” student program is supplying an experiment that focuses on the evaluation of self-healing materials in microgravity, the work of students Spencer Harris, George Tang, Ryan Ferzoco, Tarun Golla and Abby Maltese.
An investigation into the complex process of cement solidification to explore how gravity levels like those on the Moon and Mars may potentially affect concrete hardening.
Research to develop a mathematical model for how an astronaut’s perception of motion, body position and distance to objects changes in space.
Included in the cargo are investigations that will enable U.S. National Laboratory research, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. They include an investigation to evaluate growth of protein crystals implicated in Parkinson’s disease and astrophysics research to examine the formation of chondrules, some of the oldest material in the solar system.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/13/antares-ng-10-whats-on-board/
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L-2 Forecast: 30-Percent Favorable
Rob Garner Posted on November 13, 2018
The latest Wallops range forecast for the scheduled launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket on Nov. 15 puts weather at 30-percent favorable. At this time, the main weather concerns for a Thursday morning launch are thick clouds, disturbed weather and low cloud ceilings.
An area of low pressure will quickly develop on Wednesday over the Deep South, bringing rain showers to the Southeastern United States during the day. These showers will progress to the northeast on Wednesday night into early Thursday, likely arriving in the Wallops area by the time of the launch window.
After the launch window, rain will become heavy at times with increasing winds during the day on Thursday. Windy conditions will continue through Friday, with winds diminishing Friday night.
The Antares, with its International Space Station-bound Cygnus cargo spacecraft, is scheduled for liftoff at 4:49 a.m. EST on Nov. 15 from Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/13/l-2-forecast-30-percent-favorable/
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Has anyone found a final list, which CubeSats will be on this launch - both in the external deployer as well as those internal?
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Time-lapse video of Antares roll-out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hDj2Aa3CR0
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1062737556872314880
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Delayed:
The Launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with Cygnus cargo spacecraft has been postponed due to the poor weather forecast for the original launch window on Nov. 15. The revised launch window now opens at 4:23 a.m. EST on Nov. 16 from Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Today’s Wallops range forecast for Nov. 15 assessed weather conditions at 90-percent unfavorable for a launch, with the main concerns being thick clouds, disturbed weather and low cloud ceilings. Heavy rainfall (1-2 inches) and high wind gusts (45-50 mph) are expected.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/
-R C
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Integration & rollout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb0OKBuLL1I
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More from Northrop Grumman CRS-10 Launch Postponed to Nov. 16 (https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/14/northrop-grumman-crs-10-launch-postponed-to-nov-16/) (some other interesting information morsels re: weather and the Friday and Saturday launch windows)
The launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with Cygnus cargo spacecraft has been postponed due to the poor weather forecast for the original launch window on Nov. 15. The revised launch window now opens at 4:23 a.m. EST on Nov. 16 from Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Today’s Wallops range forecast for Nov. 15 assessed weather conditions at 90-percent unfavorable for a launch, with the main concerns being thick clouds, disturbed weather and low cloud ceilings. Heavy rainfall (1-2 inches) and high wind gusts (45-50 mph) are expected.
Rainfall looks to taper off early Friday morning, but strong northwesterly winds are still expected to affect the Eastern Shore during Friday’s backup count and launch window. Winds are expected to be sustained at 25-30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Sea states will also be of concern with the prolonged high wind event: Seas are expected to be 8-12 feet during Friday morning’s count and slightly falling off to 8-10 feet during the launch window.
Conditions look to become quite favorable for a launch Saturday morning with high pressure building into the southeastern U.S. and the Eastern Shore, providing lighter winds and mostly clear to clear skies. One caveat to Saturday however, is that the system expected to impact the Wallops region Thursday will drag a strong front across Bermuda on Friday into early Saturday, providing potentially heavy rainfall and strong winds there prior to the launch window. At this time, conditions do look to improve enough in Bermuda prior to the expected T-0 Saturday morning with winds diminishing and light rainfall lingering.
Weather in Bermuda is a factor because NASA’s Bermuda Tracking Station supports tracking, telemetry, command and control of launches from both Wallops and Florida.
<snip>
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Dual Cargo Missions Set for Friday Launch and Sunday Delivery
Mark Garcia Posted on November 14, 2018
Dismal weather on Virginia’s Atlantic coast has pushed back the launch of a U.S. cargo craft to the International Space Station one day to Friday. Russia’s resupply ship is still on track for its launch to the orbital lab from Kazakhstan less than nine hours later on the same day.
Mission managers from NASA and Northrop Grumman are now targeting the Cygnus space freighter’s launch on Friday at 4:23 a.m. EST from Pad-0A at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Cygnus sits atop an Antares rocket packed with over 7,400 pounds of crew supplies, science experiments, spacesuit gear, station hardware and computer resources.
Cygnus will separate from the Antares rocket when it reaches orbit nine minutes after launch and begin a two-day journey to the station’s Unity module. Its cymbal-shaped UltraFlex solar arrays will then unfurl to power the vehicle during its flight. Expedition 57 astronauts Alexander Gerst and Serena Auñón-Chancellor will be in the cupola to greet Cygnus Sunday and capture the private cargo carrier with the Canadarm2 robotic arm at 4:35 a.m.
Russia rolled out its Progress 71 (71P) resupply ship today at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan where it stands at the launch pad for final processing. The 71st flight of a Progress cargo craft to the orbital laboratory is scheduled for launch Friday at 1:14 p.m. Cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev will be monitoring the arrival of 71P when it automatically docks to the rear port of the Zvezda service module Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Gerst and Prokopyev started Wednesday morning training for the arrival of 71P. The pair practiced commanding and manually docking the vehicle on a computer in the unlikely event the Russian cargo craft is unable to dock on its own. Gerst then moved on to Cygnus capture training after lunchtime with Auñón-Chancellor following up before the end of the day. NASA TV will cover live the launch, capture and docking of both Cygnus and Progress on Friday and Sunday.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/11/14/dual-cargo-missions-set-for-friday-launch-and-sunday-delivery/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeVrWjffWbw
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1062743904460644353
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If launch is delayed to Saturday 11/17, when will capture and berthing be?
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I was not aware of that STA change. Thanks!
But why was it necessary? Since the ThinSats are deployed after second stage separation, how is it that the MS-10 mishap is affecting the ThinSats at all? I am failing to see the connection.
It's the overall traffic. No guarantee of getting a good track on them, so would have to wait for them to decay to have another launch (i.e. Progress) into the ISS plane.
16th is still available, but POV is bad.
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Can I get some advice please? I understand from the Northrop Grumman tweet referenced above that only 3 cubesats will be deployed. My understanding was that the Antares - Cygnus NG-10 was carrying the Elana 21 cubesats, 9 in all, including KickSat 2 in which I have a special interest. So now I'm confused. The 'Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches' page https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches (https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches) says 9 and the NG tweet says 3. What am I missing?
Cheers!
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Can I get some advice please? I understand from the Northrop Grumman tweet referenced above that only 3 cubesats will be deployed. My understanding was that the Antares - Cygnus NG-10 was carrying the Elana 21 cubesats, 9 in all, including KickSat 2 in which I have a special interest. So now I'm confused. The 'Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches' page https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches (https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches) says 9 and the NG tweet says 3. What am I missing?
Cheers!
There was a reshuffling of the Cubesats after the Soyuz launch failures. NG-10 now only carries KickSat-2 for NASA's ELaNa program and CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1. CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1 wil be deployed above the ISS orbit and KickSat-2 below.
Two of the ELaNa 21 cubesats (UNITE, TechEdSat 8) have been moved to SpX-16. For the others, i do not yet know.
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Can I get some advice please? I understand from the Northrop Grumman tweet referenced above that only 3 cubesats will be deployed. My understanding was that the Antares - Cygnus NG-10 was carrying the Elana 21 cubesats, 9 in all, including KickSat 2 in which I have a special interest. So now I'm confused. The 'Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches' page https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches (https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches) says 9 and the NG tweet says 3. What am I missing?
Cheers!
There was a reshuffling of the Cubesats after the Soyuz launch failures. NG-10 now only carries KickSat-2 for NASA's ELaNa program and CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1. CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1 wil be deployed above the ISS orbit and KickSat-2 below.
Two of the ELaNa 21 cubesats (UNITE, TechEdSat 8) have been moved to SpX-16. For the others, i do not yet know.
Ah thank you Gunter! I get it now. I subscribed to Zac Manchester's KickSat project and I have a tiny 'sprite' femto satellite on-board, one of many hopefully getting released after the Cygnus undocs from ISS in February. We live in exciting times!
Cheers
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Local observers be advised there is construction at the Ferry Dock. They appear to be installing a boat ramp.
Crew onsite did not have official word about viewing but I strongly suspect launch viewing will not be allowed. It is very much an active construction site with several pieces of heavy equipment and unstable ground.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
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Local observers be advised there is construction at the Ferry Dock. They appear to be installing a boat ramp.
Crew onsite did not have official word about viewing but I strongly suspect launch viewing will not be allowed. It is very much an active construction site with several pieces of heavy equipment and unstable ground.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Well that's a bummer. Thanks for the heads up! I'm still curious enough to check it out on launch day, though it would be quite a pain to have all my gear set up only to be kicked out later by police. I wonder if there will be a police presence guarding entry well in advance.
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Booo!
https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/1063101597486583811
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There was a reshuffling of the Cubesats after the Soyuz launch failures. NG-10 now only carries KickSat-2 for NASA's ELaNa program and CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1. CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1 wil be deployed above the ISS orbit and KickSat-2 below.
Two of the ELaNa 21 cubesats (UNITE, TechEdSat8) have been moved to SpX-16. For the others, i do not yet know.
The switch of TechEdSat 8 was already known in August.
Iridium and NASA just learned that TechEdSat-8 has been added to the launch manifest for SpaceX-16, which is scheduled to be launched on December 1, 2018
So the Soyuz failure can´t be the reason.
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If launch is delayed to Saturday 11/17, when will capture and berthing be?
It's shifted to about 05:30 Eastern on Monday the 19th.
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Northrop Grumman’s CRS-10 Launch Postponed to Nov. 17
Rob Garner Posted on November 15, 2018
The launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with Cygnus cargo spacecraft is now targeted for 4:01 a.m. EST Saturday, Nov. 17, from Pad 0A of Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. NASA TV will provide launch coverage with commentary online beginning at 3:30 a.m.
The teams decided to wait another day for launch after assessing continuing unfavorable weather conditions, including high winds and high seas, forecast for Friday morning. The forecast for a launch Saturday is significantly improved with a less than five percent chance of weather conditions preventing a launch.
Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, Cygnus will carry about 7,400 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the International Space Station, including critical science and research investigations. A launch Saturday would result in capture and berthing Monday, Nov. 19.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/15/northrop-grummans-crs-10-launch-postponed-to-nov-17/
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I live just a mile or so away from the Northrup Grumman MCC in Dulles, Virginia and and obviously in the same region as Wallops. The weather was awful and I am surprised they considered launching today since the weather models were in agreement with nasty weather, but I am also not surprised they moved to Saturday since its going to be much better. Does anyone know how they safe the site in regards to the Antares rocket once its vertical in windy or inclement weather.
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Cross-post:
US Cargo Mission Slips a Day; Station Tests Free-Flying AI Assistant
Mark Garcia Posted on November 15, 2018
The launch of the Cygnus space freighter from Northrop Grumman has slipped another day due to inclement weather at the Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Atlantic coast. Cygnus is now scheduled to launch atop the Antares rocket Saturday at 4:01 a.m. EST with a much improved weather forecast.
The U.S. resupply ship will deliver approximately 7,400 pounds of food, fuel and supplies to the station two days later. Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor will command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture Cygnus Monday at 5:20 a.m. Commander Alexander Gerst will back her up and monitor telemetry from the vehicle during its approach and rendezvous.
<snip>
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/11/15/us-cargo-mission-slips-a-day-station-tests-free-flying-ai-assistant/
Monday, November 19, 5:20 a.m. EST = same date, 10:20 UTC
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I live just a mile or so away from the Northrup Grumman MCC in Dulles, Virginia and and obviously in the same region as Wallops. The weather was awful and I am surprised they considered launching today since the weather models were in agreement with nasty weather, but I am also not surprised they moved to Saturday since its going to be much better. Does anyone know how they safe the site in regards to the Antares rocket once its vertical in windy or inclement weather.
Watch the pre-launch PC linked above for the exact details, but IIRC they said it was secure up to roughly hurricane conditions.
-R C
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The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, is seen on Pad-0A as rain and high winds move through the area, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman's 10th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,400 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Launch is currently targeted for Saturday, Nov. 17 at 4:01 a.m. EST.
Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
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The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, is seen on Pad-0A after sunrise, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman's 10th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,400 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Launch is currently scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17 at 4:01 a.m. EST.
Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
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Latest Forecast for Nov. 17 Launch: 95 Percent Favorable
Rob Garner Posted on November 16, 2018
Northrop Grumman’s 10th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,400 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. The launch window opens Saturday, Nov. 17, at 4:01 a.m. EST.
Today’s Wallops range forecast predicts excellent conditions for launch, with less than a 5 percent chance of a weather-related concern.
The storm system that produced high winds and heavy rain on Thursday is currently exiting the region and moving off quickly to the northeast. Windy conditions will continue through the morning hours before beginning to subside this afternoon as the area of low pressure moves farther away and high pressure builds closer to the Wallops area.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/16/latest-forecast-for-nov-17-launch-95-percent-favorable/
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Nov. 17 Launch: How and Where to Watch
Rob Garner Posted on November 16, 2018
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport are set to support the launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket, carrying the company’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 4:01 a.m. EST, Nov. 17.
The launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents up and down the East Coast of the United States.
When accessed from a smartphone browser, the Wallops Mission Status Center website can provide specific viewing information based on your location. Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. EST Nov. 16 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites.
Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV and streaming online at nasa.gov/live will begin at 3:30 a.m. EST Nov. 17.
For local launch-viewers, the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops opens at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 17 (four hours before the launch). Additional locations for catching the launch are Robert Reed Park on Chincoteague Island or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will not be open for viewing the launch.
Visitors are reminded that alcohol, pets and firearms are not allowed on the NASA Visitor Center grounds.
Guidance from NASA on drone use for viewing Wallops launches
Guidance for mariners (PDF)
Guidance for pilots (PDF)
Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, Cygnus will carry about 7,400 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the space station, including science and research in support of dozens of research investigations.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/16/nov-17-launch-how-and-where-to-watch/
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FEATURE ARTICLE: Antares set for Station cargo launch, no connection to continued Pegasus issues -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/antares-station-ng-10-cargo-pegasus/ …
by Chris Gebhardt
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Can I get some advice please? I understand from the Northrop Grumman tweet referenced above that only 3 cubesats will be deployed. My understanding was that the Antares - Cygnus NG-10 was carrying the Elana 21 cubesats, 9 in all, including KickSat 2 in which I have a special interest. So now I'm confused. The 'Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches' page https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches (https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches) says 9 and the NG tweet says 3. What am I missing?
Cheers!
There was a reshuffling of the Cubesats after the Soyuz launch failures. NG-10 now only carries KickSat-2 for NASA's ELaNa program and CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1. CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1 wil be deployed above the ISS orbit and KickSat-2 below.
Two of the ELaNa 21 cubesats (UNITE, TechEdSat 8) have been moved to SpX-16. For the others, i do not yet know.
So the tweet only talks about the external deployer, you're saying there's also no NRCSD being carried for
Kibo deployment?
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Can I get some advice please? I understand from the Northrop Grumman tweet referenced above that only 3 cubesats will be deployed. My understanding was that the Antares - Cygnus NG-10 was carrying the Elana 21 cubesats, 9 in all, including KickSat 2 in which I have a special interest. So now I'm confused. The 'Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches' page https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches (https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches) says 9 and the NG tweet says 3. What am I missing?
Cheers!
There was a reshuffling of the Cubesats after the Soyuz launch failures. NG-10 now only carries KickSat-2 for NASA's ELaNa program and CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1. CHEFsat-2 and MYSAT-1 wil be deployed above the ISS orbit and KickSat-2 below.
Two of the ELaNa 21 cubesats (UNITE, TechEdSat 8) have been moved to SpX-16. For the others, i do not yet know.
So the tweet only talks about the external deployer, you're saying there's also no NRCSD being carried for
Kibo deployment?
The information i've got from NanoRacks tells, that there are only cubesats in the external deployer, no internal NRCSD.
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The "don't use smileys" checkbox can be very handy when you're posting something with an 8 followed by parentheses.
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1063475295284617216
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1063671584140025856
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Count Under Way for Northrop Grumman CRS-10 Launch
Rob Garner Posted on November 16, 2018
Countdown is proceeding toward a 4:01 a.m. EST launch window for Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Live coverage of the mission is now airing on Wallops video and audio Ustream sites. Launch coverage and commentary on NASA TV and streaming online at nasa.gov/live will begin at 3:30 a.m. EST.
Antares is carrying Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft for the company’s 10th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the space station. Cygnus will carry about 7,400 pounds of crew supplies and hardware to the station, including science and research in support of dozens of research investigations.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/northropgrumman/2018/11/16/count-under-way-for-northrop-grumman-crs-10-launch/
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1063692162167173121
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T-58 minutes.
https://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops
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Selecting trajectory file 3.
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T-50 minutes. Performing SIGI alignment.
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T-45 minutes. NASA coverage starts at 8:30 UTC
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T-40 minutes. Cold Helium bottles are charging.
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Wallops finally changed the angle!
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T-35 minutes. Fuel level does not require adjustment.
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NASA coverage starting in about three minutes.
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Launch enable enabled.
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T-20 minutes. View from other side of the pad.
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NASA coverage has started.
Range is green.
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30 mins. They do like this camera view.
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Control rooms. FTS is armed.
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T-25 minutes.
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Charge amps reset.
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Upper levels wind are go. Not working any issues on the range or Cygnus.
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NASA still tripping over their days, but it seems Cygnus is berthing 15 hours after Progress on MONDAY (even if they must be reading off a script as it is not berthing "today").
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Refabricator payload.
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L-20 minutes. Into 10 minute hold.
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TEL arming for rapid retract is in work.
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Cygnus named after astronaut John Young.
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Switching to internal power.
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L-15 minutes.
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https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1063714856883376128
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Cygnus is on internal power.
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Everything looking nominal so far.
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Boat fouling range!
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L-12 minutes. Go for launch pending range being cleared.
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Range is cleared!
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L-10 minutes.
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L-9 minutes. Video delayed by 30 seconds or more.
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L-8 minutes.
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L-7 minutes.
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Crystal growth experiment.
L-6 minutes.
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T-5 minutes. Avionics on internal power.
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T-4 minutes. Range is green.
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Autosequence has started.
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T-3 minutes. Autosequence has started.
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Green at 120 seconds to go.
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T-2 minutes. Can't confirm ? is open.
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Some last minute chatter, but waived and proceeding.
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T-1 minute. Can still go ahead without confirmation. Pre-waived.
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Several items not able to be confirmed but go to proceed.
Liftoff
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LAUNCH!
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Liftoff!
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MaxQ
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T+1 minute.
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Passed through Max Q
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T+2 minutes.
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30 seconds to MECO
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MECO, now coasting.
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T+3 minutes.
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Fairing sep confirmed.
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Always one of the more interesting 1-2 staging events.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1063720109242572801
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Stage 2 burning, all nominal.
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First stage separation.
T+3 minutes.
Fairing separation.
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T+5 minutes.
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T+6 minutes.
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Stage 2 burnout complete, coasting.
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T+7 minutes.
Cutoff.
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T+8 minutes.
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Payload separation confirmed.
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Separation!
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Cygnus on orbit in a nominal orbit insertion. All parameters look very accurate.
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S/C Sep. "Close to nominal" parameters. (Which will mean OK :) )
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Next Cygnus in Spring 2019.
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NGIS control room. Waiting for solar array deployment.
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ISS over Australia. Commentator taking a short break while we wait for solar array deployment.
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NASA TV:
5 a.m. - Coverage of Solar Array Deployment on the Northrop Grumman “SS John Young” Cygnus CRS-10 Cargo Craft (All Channels)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1dgCA0AWok
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launch highlights and John Young small bio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDL0ZM0qyt0
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Solar array deployment coverage starting in about three minutes.
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UltraFlex Solar Array
http://rascal.nianet.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/UltraFlex_Factsheet.pdf
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Some nice shots posted by NASA
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Live coverage has started.
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ISS Flight Director and NGIS control room.
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Visiting Vehicle Officer.
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Current ISS, Progress and Cygnus position.
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Showing launch of Zarya 20 years ago.
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Now showing a video on Cygnus payloads.
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Currently conducting poll for solar array deploy. Deploy should be about 10 minutes from now.
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Takes about 20 minutes for the arrays to deploy.
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Arm operators on ISS.
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Solar array deploy no earlier than five minutes from now.
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Sending commands in about 30 seconds.
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Commands have been sent. Confirmation of good signal from Cygnus. Will take about 18 minutes to start deploy.
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Video from previous flight (Cygnus OA-4):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnDeJ7saLQY
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Cygnus over Canada.
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10 minutes to start of solar array deploy.
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Solar array deploy starting in about 2.5 minutes.
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Confirmation that solar arrays have started deploying.
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Were they late?
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Wings 1 and 2 looking good during deployment.
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Were they late?
I'm not sure. Cygnus was in darkness when coverage started.
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Getting good readings on both wings. Just a few more steps to complete deployment.
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Confirmation that first wing has fully deployed. Waiting on second wing.
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Confirmation that second wing has deployed. Next step is to check the wings are generating power.
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Both arrays are generating power!
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End of NASA coverage.
Congratulations to NGIS and NASA for the successful launch!
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Next on NASA TV: November 19, Monday,
4 a.m. - Coverage of the Rendezvous and Capture of the Northrop Grumman “SS John Young” Cygnus CRS-10 Cargo Craft at the Space Station; Capture scheduled at 5:20 a.m. EST (All Channels)
6:45 a.m. - Coverage of the Installation of the Northrop Grumman “SS John Young” Cygnus CRS-10 Cargo Craft to the ISS - Johnson Space Center (All Channels)
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Northrop Grumman photos
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NASA TV coverage of the Northrop Grumman Post-Launch News Conference.
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Empty pad...
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November 17, 2018
RELEASE 18-100
NASA, Northrop Grumman Launch Space Station, National Lab Cargo
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station with about 7,400 pounds of cargo after launching at 4:01 a.m. EST Saturday from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
The spacecraft launched on an Antares 230 Rocket from the Virginia Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad 0A at Wallops on the company’s 10th cargo delivery flight, and is scheduled to arrive at the orbital laboratory Monday, Nov. 19. Expedition 57 astronauts Serena Auñón-Chancellor of NASA and Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) will use the space station’s robotic arm to grapple Cygnus about 5:20 a.m. Installation coverage will begin at 4 a.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
This Commercial Resupply Services contract mission will support dozens of new and existing investigations as Expeditions 57 and 58 contribute to some 250 science and research studies. Highlights from the new experiments include a demonstration of 3D printing and recycling technology and simulating the creation of celestial bodies from stardust.
Recycling and Fabrication in Space
The Refabricator is the first-ever 3D printer and recycler integrated into one user-friendly machine. Once it’s installed in the space station, it will demonstrate recycling of waste plastic and previously 3D printed parts already on-board into high-quality filament (i.e. 3D printer ‘ink’). This recycled filament will then be fed into the printer to make new tools and parts on-demand in space. This technology could enable closed-loop, sustainable fabrication, repair and recycling on long-duration space missions, and greatly reduce the need to continually launch large supplies of new material and parts for repairs and maintenance.
The demonstration, which NASA’s Space Technology Mission and Human Exploration and Operations Directorates co-sponsored, is considered a key enabling technology for in-space manufacturing. NASA awarded a Small Business Innovation Research contract valued to Tethers Unlimited Inc. to build the recycling system.
Formation of the Early Solar System
The Experimental Chondrule Formation at the International Space Station (EXCISS) investigation will explore how planets, moons and other objects in space formed by simulating the high-energy, low-gravity conditions that were present during formation of the early solar system. Scientists plan to zap a specially formulated dust with an electrical current, and then study the shape and texture of the resulting pellets.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
The Crystallization of LRRK2 Under Microgravity Conditions-2 (PCG-16) investigation grows large crystals of an important protein, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), in microgravity for analysis back on Earth. This protein is implicated in development of Parkinson’s disease, and improving our knowledge of its structure may help scientists better understand the pathology of the disease and develop therapies to treat it. LRRK2 crystals grown in gravity are too small and too compact to study, making microgravity an essential part of this research. This investigation is sponsored by the U.S. National Laboratory on the space station, which Congress designated in 2005 to maximize its use for improving quality of life on Earth.
The Cygnus spacecraft will remain at the space station until February before its destructive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, disposing of several thousand pounds of trash. This is the seventh flight of an enhanced Cygnus spacecraft, and the fourth using Northrop Grumman's upgraded Antares 230 launch vehicle featuring new RD-181 engines that provide increased performance and flexibility.
The spacecraft for this mission is named in honor of astronaut John Young. Young was selected for NASA’s second astronaut class and flew during the Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. He walked on the Moon during Apollo 16 in 1972 and commanded the first space shuttle mission in 1981. Young passed away in January.
Learn more about Northrop Grumman’s mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/northropgrumman
For more than 18 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. A global endeavor, 230 people from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 2,500 research investigations from researchers in 106 countries.
Keep up with the International Space Station, and its research and crews, at:
https://www.nasa.gov/station
Get breaking news, images and features from the station on Instagram and Twitter:
https://instagram.com/iss
and
https://www.twitter.com/Space_Station
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Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches 10th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station for NASA
S.S. John Young to berth with the space station on Nov. 19
November 17, 2018 Space, NASA, Cygnus, Antares
Dulles, Va. – Nov. 17, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced it successfully launched its AntaresTM rocket carrying the “S.S. John Young” CygnusTM spacecraft today at 4:01 a.m. EST from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The launch marks Northrop Grumman’s 10th cargo mission carrying vital supplies to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station for NASA.
“Congratulations to the entire NASA, Virginia Space and Northrop Grumman team on another successful Antares launch,” said Scott Lehr, president, flight systems group, Northrop Grumman. “As always, we are dedicated and focused on delivering mission success for NASA’s commercial resupply program.”
The Antares medium-class rocket carried approximately 7,400 pounds (3,350 kilograms) of vital supplies and scientific equipment aboard Cygnus. Following an approximate nine-minute ascent, the Cygnus spacecraft was successfully deployed into orbit. Northrop Grumman engineering teams confirmed reliable communications have been established and the vehicle’s solar arrays are fully deployed, providing the necessary electrical power to operate the spacecraft.
On this mission, the name of the spacecraft honors NASA astronaut John Young. Young was NASA's longest-serving astronaut and a pioneer in the field of human spaceflight who positioned future astronauts to live and work at the International Space Station. His bravery and record-setting accomplishments pushed the boundaries of human space exploration, making him an ideal honoree for the NG-10 mission.
“The timing of this mission could not be more appropriate with the launch of the S.S. John Young occurring just days before the upcoming 20th anniversary of the International Space Station,” said Frank Culbertson, president, space systems group, Northrop Grumman. “It has been an honor to support the critical research that has been performed on the International Space Station for nearly two decades. We look forward to expanding our role with Cygnus through future abilities such as increased science accommodation and extended stays in orbit.”
Cygnus will be grappled at approximately 5:20 a.m. EST on Nov. 19. The spacecraft will remain attached to the space station for approximately two months before departing with up to 7,400 pounds (approximately 3,350 kilograms) of disposal cargo. Cygnus’ large pressurized volume allows for large amounts of cargo to be efficiently carried to the space station and also provides significant cargo disposal capability, which is a critical service for NASA and unique among America’s commercial cargo providers.
Upon departure from the space station, Cygnus will deploy three CubeSats via the NanoRacks External Cygnus CubeSat Deployment program, from both above and below the orbiting laboratory for the first time. One of the CubeSats, known as MYSat-1, is the first satellite developed by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. MYSat-1 was developed as part of Khalifa’s Space Systems and Technology Concentration, a joint program established in 2015 in collaboration with UAE-based satellite operator Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Northrop Grumman. Engineers from both companies helped develop the initial curriculum for the concentration, and provided guidance and mentorship during the design phase of the MYSat-1 satellite.
As another example of Cygnus’ expanded capabilities, the spacecraft is prepared to support the Slingshot CubeSat Deployer System, a flexible platform that can fly hosted payloads and CubeSats. The mission is the first flight for the Slingshot system, which is scheduled to be installed onto the Cygnus spacecraft by NASA astronauts before the spacecraft departs the orbiting laboratory. Upon completion of its secondary missions, Cygnus will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Details about the NG-10 mission can be viewed here.
Under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS)-1 contract with NASA, Northrop Grumman will deliver approximately 66,000 pounds (30,000 kilograms) of cargo to the International Space Station. Beginning in 2019, Northrop Grumman will carry out a minimum of six initial cargo missions under NASA’s CRS-2 contract. The commercial resupply partnership with NASA is enhancing a robust American commercial space industry, freeing NASA to focus on developing the next-generation rocket and spacecraft that will enable humans to conduct deep space exploration missions.
https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-successfully-launches-10th-cargo-delivery-mission-to-the-international-space-station-for-nasa
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Got a real nice view this morning from Long Island of Antares with SS John Young heading out over the Atlantic to the ISS.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSeBlMh1Wos
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More shots posted by NASA
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43704 OBJECT A 2018-092A TBA 89.14min 51.59deg 252km 211km
43705 OBJECT B 2018-092B TBA 89.29min 51.61deg 268km 211km
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End of NASA coverage.
Congratulations to NGIS and NASA for the successful launch!
Thanks for all your effort!
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Full launch coverage (coverage starts at 1h59m and launch is around 2h30m of the video):
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/118304057
Solar Array deployment starts at 29m of this video:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/118305646
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Here is the official pre-launch briefing without the ads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0At7zOSb5Kk&t=591s
Here is the official post-launch briefing without the ads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xph_A83jN1Q
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N2YO.com tracks ISS, Progress MS-10 and 'OBJECT A' = Cygnus S.S. John Young.
https://www.n2yo.com/?s=25544|43702|43704 (https://www.n2yo.com/?s=25544|43702|43704)
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CBCS "Centerline Berthing Camera System" on Node-1 "Unity" nadir window...
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There he is!
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Orbit 1 team at MCC-H
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In Cupola SSRMS operators
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NG MCC.
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CUCU "COTS UHF Communications Unit" workstation.
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HP-1 "Hold point" at 250 meters.
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Over Indonesia.
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Sunset;;;
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resuming approach
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enter to KOS "Keep Out Sphere3;
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100 meters.
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Range: 80 meters, rate 0,1 m/s
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Cygnus isn't one for flashing lights etc. Can only just make it out.
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HP-2 "Hold Point" at 30 m.
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That's better...but still unique compared to previous arrivals with the camera view.
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GO/NO GO poll between NG MCC and MCC-H.
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Sunrise in few mn...
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And much better :)
Heading to 10 meters shortly.
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Above the Amazon forest...
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Resuming Final Approach to Capture Point.
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View from SSRMS LEE camera.
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"Capture Point" !
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1064462811269685248
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Cygnus in Free Drift (to prevent thrusters firing) and ISS thrusters inhibited
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GO for Capture
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Canadarm 2 in motion.
In Cupola RWS, the crew armed the SSRMS capture command and track Cygnus with LEE "Latching End Effector " camera
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CAPTURE at 10.28 UTC !
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28 mins past the hour for capture!
Thanks again to centaurinasa for the coverage!
Updated article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/antares-station-ng-10-cargo-pegasus/
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Some words from MCC-H and Serena.
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ISS crew safing SSRMS and then hand robotics off to ROBO controllers at MCC-H
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End of NASA coverage.
Congratulations to NGIS and NASA for the successful launch!
Thanks for all your effort!
Totally agree. I don’t think Steve always gets enough thanks for all his sterling work covering these launches. And to centaurinasa for their coverage today.
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Tomorrow, 20th anniversary of the ISS, with the launch of FGB "Zarya"...
NASA TV, November 20, Tuesday
10:55 a.m. – ISS Expedition 57 Facebook Live In-Flight Event for the 20th Anniversary of ISS with ISS Commander Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Flight Engineers Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos (All Channels)
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End of NASA TV coverage and thanks to our today's PAO Gary Jordan.
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Next, coverage of the Installation of Cygnus at 6:45 a.m. EST. on NASA TV
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capture highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIW3MoGt4L0
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ROBO has already began to maneuver the SSRMS
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WOW, Love HD cam !!
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"Pre-Install Position" at about 3.5 Meters from Unity Hatch to allow the crew to make a visual inspection of the CBM "Common Berthing" Mechanism" and take images downlinked to MCC-H for engineers evaluation.
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Alignment...
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Now in "Exercice constraint".
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Moving slowl to "Ready-To-Latch-Position" (ROBO Using the CBCS "Centerline Berthing Camera System")
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The Centerline Berthing Camera System provide relative-state, alignment information to the SSRMS operator for robotic berthing
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all 4 RTL "Ready-To-Latch-Indicators" switched to Green (indicating that Dragon was in the proper position for installation)
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"1st stage capture": four latches closed and driving bolts (SSRMS in limp-mode)
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"2nd Stage Capture" in progress...
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Berthing complete, all 16 bolts secured !
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Bolted! :)
Thanks again to centaurinasa. Everyone give a like of three. Needs to be over 3000 likes by end of business :)
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End of exercise constraint.
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End of NASA TV coverage.
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ISS config.
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Cygnus berthing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F0ifPhvQ70
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What is the exact launch time ?
09:01:31.9 (US launch schedule)
or 09:01:22 UTC
here:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/antares-station-ng-10-cargo-pegasus/
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What is the exact launch time ?
09:01:31.9 (US launch schedule)
or 09:01:22 UTC
here:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/antares-station-ng-10-cargo-pegasus/
It's 09:01:31.9 UTC.
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What is the exact launch time ?
09:01:31.9 (US launch schedule)
or 09:01:22 UTC
here:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/11/antares-station-ng-10-cargo-pegasus/
It's 09:01:31.9 UTC.
The launch time should have exact definition.
09:01:31.9 means "first motion" time.
But, in video of launch we can see that rocket began to raise up at 09:01:34.4 UTC.
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Some pics of the Cygnus NG-10 arrival posted by Gerst on twitter and Prokopyev on VK.
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Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Completes Rendezvous and Berthing with International Space Station
“S.S. John Young” delivers approximately 7,400 pounds of cargo to the station
November 19, 2018 Space, NASA, Cygnus, Antares
Dulles, Va. – Nov. 19 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced that the “S.S. John Young” Cygnus™ spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and berthing maneuvers with the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this morning. The mission marks the company’s 10th successful berthing with the orbiting laboratory.
Cygnus launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares™ rocket on Nov. 17, 2018 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia. As the spacecraft moved closer to the space station over the following few days, Cygnus executed a series of thruster burns to raise its orbit. Once the spacecraft was in close range, crew members on board the space station grappled the spacecraft with the station’s robotic arm at 5:28 a.m. EST. Cygnus was then guided to its berthing port on the nadir side of the station’s Unity module and officially installed on to the space station at 7:31 a.m. EST.
“With the 20th anniversary of the International Space Station tomorrow, we stand with NASA as a proud mission partner in support of the ISS as a premier research facility in space,” said Frank Culbertson, president, space systems group, Northrop Grumman. “Our dedication of Cygnus in honor of NASA astronaut John Young is a fitting tribute to his efforts to enable future astronauts to live and work there to advance space exploration.”
Cygnus arrived at the space station with nearly 7,400 pounds (approximately 3,350 kilograms) of cargo, supplies and scientific experiments. The crew is now scheduled to open Cygnus’ hatch and make initial ingress into the cargo module to begin unloading the pressurized cargo. Cygnus will remain docked at the station for approximately two months before departing on secondary missions.
Once Cygnus is unberthed from the station, it will reposition to deploy three CubeSats via the NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployment Program from both above and below the space station. This specific satellite deployment operation marks the first dual altitude deployment for Cygnus, demonstrating the spacecraft’s capability beyond cargo delivery and removal.
The CubeSat known as MYSat-1 is among NanoRacks’ customers to be deployed and marks the first satellite developed by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). MYSat-1 was developed as part of Khalifa’s Space Systems and Technology Concentration, a joint program established in 2015 in collaboration with UAE-based satellite operator Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Northrop Grumman. Engineers from both companies helped develop the initial curriculum for the concentration, and provided guidance and mentorship during the design phase of the MYSat-1 satellite.
Cygnus is also prepared to execute on the inaugural flight for the Slingshot CubeSat Deployer System which is another example of the cargo vehicle’s ability to meet multiple customer needs. Slingshot is a flexible platform that can fly hosted payloads and CubeSats. NASA astronauts will install the system on Cygnus after the primary mission is completed. Upon completion of its secondary missions, Cygnus will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.
https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grummans-cygnus-spacecraft-successfully-completes-rendezvous-and-berthing-with-international-space-station
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Cygnus Cargo Operations: Alex & Serena make some unloading today...
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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2018/12/08/dragon-attached-to-station-returns-to-earth-in-january/
A small satellite deployment mechanism, called SlingShot, will be ride up in Dragon and then be installed in a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft prior to its departure from the space station. SlingShot can accommodate as many as 18 CubeSats of any format. After the Cygnus cargo ship departs from station, the spacecraft navigates to an altitude of 280 to 310 miles (an orbit higher than that of the space station) to deploy the satellites.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Facility.html?#id=7847
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Never noticed this face on the end of the arm before. Is it a decal or just drawn on with magic marker?
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Never noticed this face on the end of the arm before. Is it a decal or just drawn on with magic marker?
You mean this?
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Never noticed this face on the end of the arm before. Is it a decal or just drawn on with magic marker?
You mean this?
Aha! Makes so much more sense when in glorious color. In black and white it just appeared as an inverted tongue-lolling drunky face to my untrained eye.
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Never noticed this face on the end of the arm before. Is it a decal or just drawn on with magic marker?
You mean this?
Aha! Makes so much more sense when in glorious color. In black and white it just appeared as an inverted tongue-lolling drunky face to my untrained eye.
Here's a slightly better view.
It looks like the Canadian Space Agency / Agence Spatiale Canadienne logo is printed on a square of fabric and then stitched to the main thermal blanket on the arm.
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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2019/01/18/iss-daily-summary-report-1-18-2019/
ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/18/2019
Slingshot configuration: Today the crew performed the data cable and controller installation. This is part of the setup needed to bring SlingShot to a configuration needed to support ops. SlingShot is a commercial facility that mounts on the Passive Common Berthing Mechanism (PCBM) over the hatch of a departing Cygnus vehicle just prior to unberth from ISS. Modular in design, it can hold up to nine Deployers that can launch CubeSats of multiple sizes or host fixed payloads that remain rigidly attached to the vehicle to conduct science while the vehicle is still in orbit.
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February 05, 2019
MEDIA ADVISORY M19-004
NASA Airs Departure of US Cargo Ship from International Space Station
Three months after delivering several tons of supplies and science to the International Space Station, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft will depart the complex at 11:10 a.m. EST Friday, Feb. 8. Live coverage will begin at 10:45 a.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
Expedition 58 Flight Engineers Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will use the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to release Cygnus after ground controllers unbolt the spacecraft from the Earth-facing port of the Unity module and maneuver it to the release position.
Cygnus will depart the station with 5,500 pounds of trash and carry out an extended mission over about two weeks. The spacecraft will maneuver to a higher altitude where an external CubeSat deployer, developed by industry partner NanoRacks to provide increased commercial access to space, will release two CubeSats into orbit. Cygnus then will move to a lower orbit to deploy a third CubeSat, KickSat-2, which carries 100 tiny satellites called femtosatellites. The femtosatellites each include a power, sensor and communication system on a printed circuit board that measures 3.5 by 3.5 cm, with a thickness of a few millimeters and a mass of less than 3.5 ounces. These deployments demonstrate additional commercial activity and technology advancements enabled by the partnerships forged through the orbiting laboratory and the potential for future opportunities.
Cygnus is scheduled to deorbit Feb. 25 and enter the Earth’s atmosphere, burning up harmlessly over the Pacific Ocean. There will be no television coverage of Cygnus’ deorbit.
Learn more about the International Space Station, its crews and research, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/station
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/06/2019
NG-10 Cygnus Departure Prep: Today the crew performed final egress and hatch closure of Cygnus S.S. John Young ahead of its planned un-berth and release on Friday GMT 039 at 16:10 (10:10 CT). Tomorrow the crew will be installing the Install SlingShot deployer and Ubiquitylink payload onto the Cygnus hatch prior to the final Node 1 Nadir close out activities later in the day.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS): Today, robotics ground controllers powered up the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) and maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to perform a survey of the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) and Multiple User System for Earth Sensing Facility (MUSES) payloads. After the survey was completed, the SSRMS and SPDM were maneuvered to stow the SPDM on the Mobile Base System (MBS) Payload and Data Grapple Fixture (PDGF) #2. After the SSRMS released the SPDM, the SSRMS was maneuvered onto the Node2 PDGF. Finally, SSRMS released the MBS PDGF #4 and was maneuvered to grapple the Cygnus Power and Video Grapple Fixture (PVGF) in preparation for Cygnus un-berth and release this Friday.
Common Communications for Visiting Vehicle (C2V2) Very High Data Rate (VHDR) Testing: Today teams began C2V2 testing that will be ongoing through Friday. The purpose of this testing is to help collect data concerning the Reed Solomon errors that occurred during NG-9 Cygnus mission. During today’s testing, both C2V2 receivers maintained signal lock where the errors occurred previously.
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Cygnus Ready for Friday Departure and CubeSat Deployments
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus space freighter is just a day away from completing its tenth mission to the International Space Station. The Expedition 58 crew is training today for Cygnus’ robotic release on Friday and preparing it for one more mission afterward.
Cygnus is in the grips of the Canadarm2 robotic arm today still attached to the Unity module. Robotics controllers will uninstall Cygnus from Unity early Friday and remotely maneuver the space freighter to its release position.
NASA astronaut Anne McClain will take over the robotics controls as David Saint-Jacques from the Canadian Space Agency backs her up inside the cupola. She will command the Canadarm2 to release Cygnus back into space at 11:10 a.m. EST Friday. NASA TV will begin its live coverage of Cygnus’ release starting at 10:45 a.m.
The two astronauts practiced the release of Cygnus today and finished the installation of the Slingshot small satellite deployer inside the spacecraft. Slingshot will eject a set of CubeSats from Cygnus once the cargo vessel reaches a safe distance from the station about eight hours after its release.
Friday’s Cygnus departure will leave a pair of Russian spacecraft docked to the station including the Progress 71 cargo craft and the Soyuz MS-11 crew ship. Two more spaceships are due to visit in March including a demonstration version of SpaceX’s first crew Dragon and the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft with three new Expedition 59-60 crew members.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/02/07/cygnus-ready-for-friday-departure-and-cubesat-deployments/
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Unberthing procedure will begin soon….
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February 8, Friday (All times Eastern)
10:45 a.m. - Departure of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus CRS-10 Cargo Craft from the ISS; release scheduled at 11:10 a.m. (All Channels)
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Release position.
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NASA TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg
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The crew has already configured the robotics workstation in the Cupola.
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In MCC...
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And in Cupola….
(and photos of SSRMS training)
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Ann McClain: prime arm operator and Davis St-Jacques as Backup.
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release scheduled at around 11:15 am EST (1615 GMT),
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Wow, great viewpoint.
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Taking some photos
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Mention of the three cubesats to be deployed - implication is that the Slingshot deployer will be used for all three; I didn't realize that, thought there was also an NRCSD-E deployer.
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David manipulate a Cupola's shutter to help Ann for best picture shots.
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March 2, for DM-1.
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Mention of the three cubesats to be deployed - implication is that the Slingshot deployer will be used for all three; I didn't realize that, thought there was also an NRCSD-E deployer.
There is a NRCSD-E.
http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-provides-historic-triple-altitude-delivery-for-customers-in-single-space-station-launch/
After Cygnus’ stay at the Space Station, the spacecraft is planned to maneuver to a higher altitude where the sixth NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployment Program mission will deploy two of three CubeSats on board into orbit, MySat-1 and the second CHEFSat satellite.
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Release window: 16.15 - 10.19 UTC
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https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1093903801914818567
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Last GO/NO GO before release...
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Snares within the LEE were commanded to open
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NG-10 Cygnus release!
ARTICLE:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/02/ng-10-cygnus-departs-iss-3-month-mission/
- By Chris Gebhardt
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1093907235208679429
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departure burn
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Departure burn complete.
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Exited KOS now
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https://twitter.com/myfirstsatellit/status/1093905558871126016
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In the Cupola, Ann and David continue to monitor the departure...
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MCC's screens...
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Mention of the three cubesats to be deployed - implication is that the Slingshot deployer will be used for all three; I didn't realize that, thought there was also an NRCSD-E deployer.
There is a NRCSD-E.
http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-provides-historic-triple-altitude-delivery-for-customers-in-single-space-station-launch/
After Cygnus’ stay at the Space Station, the spacecraft is planned to maneuver to a higher altitude where the sixth NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployment Program mission will deploy two of three CubeSats on board into orbit, MySat-1 and the second CHEFSat satellite.
OK, and then Kicksat will be from Slingshot?
Thanks. So PAO was misleading.
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Astronauts Release U.S. Spacecraft from Station
Mark Garcia Posted on February 8, 2019
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft was released from the Canadarm2 at 11:16 a.m. EST and has departed the International Space Station. After an extended mission to deploy several CubeSats in multiple orbits, Cygnus is scheduled to be deorbited on Feb. 25 to enter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up harmlessly over the Pacific Ocean.
Expedition 58 Flight Engineers Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency used the station’s robotic arm to release the craft, dubbed the “SS John Young”, after ground controllers unbolted the cargo vehicle from the Earth-facing port of the Unity module earlier this morning.
This Commercial Resupply Services contract mission delivered dozens of new and existing investigations as Expedition 58 contributes to some hundreds of science and research studies. Highlights from the new experiments include a demonstration of 3D printing and recycling technology and simulating the creation of celestial bodies from stardust.
The Refabricator is the first-ever 3D printer and recycler integrated into one user-friendly machine. Once it’s installed in the space station, it will demonstrate recycling of waste plastic and previously 3D printed parts already on-board into high-quality filament, or 3D printer “ink.” This recycled filament will be fed into the printer as stock to make new tools and parts on-demand in space. This technology could enable closed-loop, sustainable fabrication, repair and recycling on long-duration space missions, and greatly reduce the need to continually launch large supplies of new material and parts for repairs and maintenance. The demonstration, which NASA’s Space Technology Mission and Human Exploration and Operations Directorates co-sponsored, is considered a key enabling technology for in-space manufacturing. NASA awarded a Small Business Innovation Research contract valued to Tethers Unlimited Inc. to build the recycling system.
The Experimental Chondrule Formation at the International Space Station (EXCISS) investigation will explore how planets, moons and other objects in space formed by simulating the high-energy, low-gravity conditions that were present during formation of the early solar system. Scientists plan to zap a specially formulated dust with an electrical current, and then study the shape and texture of the resulting pellets.
The Crystallization of LRRK2 Under Microgravity Conditions-2 (PCG-16) investigation grows large crystals of an important protein, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), in microgravity for analysis back on Earth. This protein is implicated in development of Parkinson’s disease, and improving our knowledge of its structure may help scientists better understand the pathology of the disease and develop therapies to treat it. LRRK2 crystals grown in gravity are too small and too compact to study, making microgravity an essential part of this research. This investigation is sponsored by the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, which Congress designated in 2005 to maximize its use for improving quality of life on Earth.
Cygnus launched Nov. 17, 2018, on an Antares 230 rocket from Virginia Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad 0A at Wallops, and arrived at the station Nov. 19 for the company’s 10th NASA-contracted commercial resupply mission to the station.
This was the seventh flight of an enhanced Cygnus spacecraft, and the fourth using Northrop Grumman’s upgraded Antares 230 launch vehicle featuring new RD-181 engines that provide increased performance and flexibility.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/02/08/astronauts-release-u-s-spacecraft-from-station/
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Cygnus departed the ISS Approach Ellipsoid, ending integrated operations between NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston and Orbital MCC in Dulles, Virginia.
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Anyone have a source for NORAD 2 line element sets for when Cygnus is in its working orbit? I have multiple payloads on this mission, and would like to track it.
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1093909831730241538
NorthropGrumman says that five cubesats will be deployed, so I assume three from NRCSD-E and two from Slingshot.
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End of NASA TV coverage (thanks to our today's PAO Leah Cheshier)
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Unberthing and departure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDTHLXPKDiY
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CYGNUS NG-10 - NORAD 43704 Tracking
http://www.satflare.com/track.asp?q=43704#TOP
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https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grummans-cygnus-spacecraft-departs-international-space-station-6742725
https://www.orbital-velocity.com/news/2019/2/8/ng-10-cygnus-departs-iss-to-perform-secondary-mission
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https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grummans-cygnus-spacecraft-departs-international-space-station-6742725
The S.S. John Young now begins the second half of its mission by repositioning above the station to deploy two CubeSats via the NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployer and two CubeSats from the Slingshot CubeSat Deployer. Cygnus will then lower its orbit below the station for another NanoRacks deployment of one CubeSat. This specific satellite deployment operation marks the first dual altitude deployment for Cygnus, further demonstrating the spacecraft’s capabilities beyond cargo delivery and removal. During its secondary mission, the spacecraft will also operate a commercial powered payload mounted in the Slingshot launch system as another new customer, UbiquitiLink, Inc. UbiqutiLink’s telecommunications payload antenna will test the ability to send and receive messages in areas without ground-based connectivity.
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/07/2019
SlingShot: Today crewmembers installed two Slingshot deployables (SEOPS-Quantum Radar -1 and -2s) on to the outer hatch of the Cygnus Spacecraft. Also installed in a deployable slot is the UbiquityLink-1 orbit to ground communications hardware. The two passive optical reflector satellites will be released after Cygnus moves away from the ISS. SEOPS’ SlingShot is a small satellite deployment system that fits inside the Cygnus spacecraft’s Passive Common Berthing Mechanism (PCBM). SlingShot can accommodate up to eighteen satellites that are deployed post Cygnus unberth.
Cygnus Departure Preparations: Today, the crew installed the starboard and port Controller Panel Assemblies (CPAs), re-installed the Node 1 Nadir thermal cover and closed the Node 1 Nadir hatch. The crew then completed the Pressure Management Device (PMD) setup in preparation for vestibule depress. Cygnus unberth is scheduled for tomorrow morning with release at 16:10 GMT (10:10 AM CT).
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Mention of the three cubesats to be deployed - implication is that the Slingshot deployer will be used for all three; I didn't realize that, thought there was also an NRCSD-E deployer.
There is a NRCSD-E.
http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-provides-historic-triple-altitude-delivery-for-customers-in-single-space-station-launch/
After Cygnus’ stay at the Space Station, the spacecraft is planned to maneuver to a higher altitude where the sixth NanoRacks External Cygnus Deployment Program mission will deploy two of three CubeSats on board into orbit, MySat-1 and the second CHEFSat satellite.
OK, and then Kicksat will be from Slingshot?
Thanks. So PAO was misleading.
No, two of three refers to the higher altitude. As noted later on in that same press release, KickSat is the third NanoRacks payload and deploys below the ISS, to avoid collision concerns with the Sprites. The release is from NanoRacks, so they did not have a reason to mention the two Slingshot payloads.
After MySat-1 and CHEFSat are deployed, NanoRacks will deliver the final customer payload in a third altitude. Northrop Grumman will direct Cygnus below the ISS to deploy KickSat-2, a collaborative CubeSat from NASA Ames Research Center and Stanford University.
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Anyone have a source for NORAD 2 line element sets for when Cygnus is in its working orbit? I have multiple payloads on this mission, and would like to track it.
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SlingShot Tests Small Satellite Deployment and Payload Hosting Capabilities
The Cygnus Spacecraft leaves the ISS with SlingShot payloads in preparation for deployment activities.
The Cygnus Spacecraft leaves the ISS with SlingShot payloads in preparation for deployment activities.
Credits: NASA
animated gif of astronauts David Saint-Jacques and Anne Mcclain mounting rectangular satellite deployers outside Cygnus
ISS Crew members David Saint-Jacques and Anne Mcclain installed two Slingshot deployables, SEOPS-Quantum Radar -1 and -2s, onto the outer hatch of the Cygnus Spacecraft. Also installed in a deployable slot is the UbiquityLink-1 orbit to ground communications hardware. The two passive optical reflector satellites will be released after Cygnus moves away from the ISS.
Credits: NASA
animated gif of Astronaut Anne Mcclain installing hardware and cables into a wall inside the Cygnus spacecraft
NASA Astronaut Anne Mcclain installs a data cable and controller to prepare SlingShot for operations. Modular in design, SlingShot can hold up to nine deployers that can launch CubeSats of multiple sizes or can host fixed payloads that remain rigidly attached to Cygnus to gather and transmit data while the vehicle is in orbit.
Credits: NASA
Launching satellites is a growing business. A new platform that could bolster satellite deployment opportunities in space seeks to service this burgeoning economy. SlingShot, by the company SEOPS, is designed to deploy CubeSats at altitudes above the station using the infrastructure offered by the International Space Station in partnership with the U.S. National Laboratory and Northrop Grumman.
SlingShot arrived at the orbiting laboratory aboard the SpaceX CRS-16 mission in early December. During this flight, the company is testing every aspect of the technology’s potential uses while also deploying satellites for SEOPS’ clients.
SlingShot was designed to launch on any cargo vehicle. For this mission it was transferred from the SpaceX vehicle to the Cygnus vehicle attached to the station and then loaded with satellites for deployment when Cygnus departs from the station.
After Cygnus leaves the station, the cargo craft will navigate to approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) above the Earth, approximately 62 miles higher than the space station’s orbit. There, Slingshot deploys two satellites, expected to stay in orbit at least two years. In addition, a mounted payload will test SlingShot’s capability to host fixed payloads for an extended period, where the payload uses Cygnus’ power, attitude control and communication capabilities.
SlingShot’s approach to satellite deployment builds on previous efforts made by other companies and international partners. Most previous deployments from the space station were at lower altitude orbits that degrade within months, limiting the useful life of the satellites.
“That is a great orbit for test demos,” said Chad Brinkley, principal investigator for the facility, “but if you look at the market for where rockets are trying to go, 500 km is ideal for closing a business case for companies that are considering flying CubeSats to give them revenue from a satellite for two plus years.”
The satellites SlingShot accommodates are modular small satellites called CubeSats that come in different configurations. Brinkley noted, “Our system is so flexible, we can accommodate the different CubeSat formats – all of them!”
One surprise to the development team has been the level of interest in the payload hosting capability. Fixed mounted payloads do not require adding avionics and a bus, so the development cost is significantly lower than developing a satellite. Additionally, the payload “can use Cygnus’ power and data as well as point the payload,” said Brinkley.
SEOPS worked closely with NASA to develop and get approval for SlingShot in less than a year. The company contracted directly with Northrop Grumman for the non-recurring engineering to integrate SlingShot with Cygnus and worked with the U.S. National Laboratory to receive their allocation, securing space for transportation as well as crew time for installation of the hardware. “For a commercial company, this is to me a great model for how you can do business with NASA and other commercial companies,” said Brinkley.
“We’re excited about having an opportunity to do this,” Brinkley said, “I feel like we’re executing the vision for commercialization of space.”
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/slingshot-small-satellite-deployment-test
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https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1093926356063322112
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Anyone know whether the SlingShot payloads, UbiquitiLink and SEOPS Quantum Radar, were launched on Dragon or Cygnus?
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The Ubiquitilink payload was launched on Dragon and then transferred by the crew to Cygnus.
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https://twitter.com/hypergiant/status/1094228189122056192
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Orbital elements for Cygnus are available from:
https://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/stations.txt
It's in 459x451 orbit.
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https://twitter.com/SEOPSLLC/status/1094335930754887683
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https://twitter.com/SEOPSLLC/status/1094339639299788801
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Anyone know whether the SlingShot payloads, UbiquitiLink and SEOPS Quantum Radar, were launched on Dragon or Cygnus?
According to https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/seops-quantum-radar-1.htm both Quantum Radars were launched inside Dragon too.
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I tried to spot Cygnus last night, but no joy. I don’t see any evidence of an orbital change in the most recent elements, but it didn’t seem to appear at the appointed time last night.
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https://twitter.com/SEOPSLLC/status/1094339639299788801
Thanks for the Twitter links but there are some users that have trouble with Twitter. If you remember please reproduce the text or a synopsis of what the tweet is showing.
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Hi Everyone
I have a chipsat on-board Kicksat2 waiting for deployment. Is there any way we can get an early heads up on the date and time Nanoracks will release Kicksat2?
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Hi Everyone
I have a chipsat on-board Kicksat2 waiting for deployment. Is there any way we can get an early heads up on the date and time Nanoracks will release Kicksat2?
https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1095374855766196225
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I got word from NanoRacks earlier that Kicksat2 is scheduled for release at 5:45 pm ET (10:45 pm GMT) February 13th. Awesome.
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1095686317328031744
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After successful deployments this morning of #MySat1 & #CHEFSat, we’re pleased to share that the #KickSat2 #CubeSat was released this evening! One mission, two altitudes. Thanks to our great friends at @northropgrumman & @NASA for helping us build this successful program! #Cygnus
Hi Jonathan, deploy times were 1200/22:45 UTC. Thanks for always following along!
https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1095831488355012609
https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1095835683913191425
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http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-completes-sixth-cygnus-deployment-mission/
NanoRacks Completes Sixth CubeSat Deployment from Cygnus Spacecraft, Continues Historic Program
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Photo by cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko.
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https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1096839177189113856
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ARTICLE: NG-10 Cygnus tests new capabilities as part of post-ISS mission -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/02/ng-10-cygnus-capabilities-post-iss-mission/
- By Chris Gebhardt
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1097589835576082432
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ARTICLE: NG-10 Cygnus tests new capabilities as part of post-ISS mission -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/02/ng-10-cygnus-capabilities-post-iss-mission/
- By Chris Gebhardt
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1097589835576082432
Typo in first para: Mission Defense s/b Missile Defense
@ChrisBergin
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https://www.interfax.ru/world/651941
Google translation
Cygnus spaceship de-orbited and burned over the Pacific Ocean
The mission officially ended on February 25 at 4:05 pm US Eastern Coast , when Cygnus made a safe entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and collapsed over the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand
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FEATURE ARTICLE: NG-10 mission ends, NGIS looks toward completion of CRS1 contract with NASA -
- By Chris Gebhardt
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/02/ng-10-ends-ngis-crs1-contract-nasa/
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1100028905837285377
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Quick take from article.
NG11 will have gyros added to Cygnus for attitude control, currently uses thrusters. This will safe fuel allow them operate up to a year in orbit. Plan is to do more additional missions after leaving ISS.
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Quick take from article.
NG11 will have gyros added to Cygnus for attitude control, currently uses thrusters. This will safe fuel allow them operate up to a year in orbit. Plan is to do more additional missions after leaving ISS.
And most interestingly (although it won't be demonstrated in NG-11, but would be easy enough to implement if the test objectives are successful), it would be able to redock to ISS. Will Cygnus shortly be the first operational man-tended free-flyer?
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NGIS confirmation of EOM:
https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1100077983187038210
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https://www.interfax.ru/world/651941
Google translation
Cygnus spaceship de-orbited and burned over the Pacific Ocean
The mission officially ended on February 25 at 4:05 pm US Eastern Coast , when Cygnus made a safe entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and collapsed over the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand
I don't see "p.m" in the original Russian (and that would be after your post anyway!)
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Thus far, NASA has not yet expressed interest in or need for a larger pressurized Cygnus launch on an Atlas V or the external payload-only version of Cygnus, both of which were mandated by the CRS2 contract application guidelines.
Hi guy!
In the article of Chris Gebhardt of the February 25, 2019 I had red about other versions of the Cygnus. Where I can find images or drawings of these versions? I would be interested to build the model kit of these versions. Thanks to anyone who could help me in this search.
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https://twitter.com/zacinaction/status/1108183126671413248
KickSat-2 has released the spamsats "sprites".
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https://twitter.com/ea4gpz/status/1117400713271959555