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Orbital's Antares/Cygnus ORB-D Processing Flow Updates
by
Chris Bergin
on 06 May, 2013 21:38
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#1
by
anik
on 22 May, 2013 20:44
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As per Michael Suffredini, the launch is planned on September 12th.
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#2
by
newpylong
on 11 Jul, 2013 00:40
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#3
by
Lurker Steve
on 11 Jul, 2013 13:23
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The schedule puzzles me a bit. If LADEE isn't scheduled to launch until Sept 6-10, isn't there still room for ORB-D to launch in late August and still prepare the range for the LADEE launch more than a week later ?
Why would LADEE need exclusive access to the range pre-launch ? Or does Cygnus need the range assets while performing the pre-berthing maneuvers required by the COTS-D milestones ?
Is the CBM port on the ISS free all this time ?
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#4
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 11 Jul, 2013 14:33
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The schedule puzzles me a bit. If LADEE isn't scheduled to launch until Sept 6-10, isn't there still room for ORB-D to launch in late August and still prepare the range for the LADEE launch more than a week later ?
Why would LADEE need exclusive access to the range pre-launch ? Or does Cygnus need the range assets while performing the pre-berthing maneuvers required by the COTS-D milestones ?
Is the CBM port on the ISS free all this time ?
Nope, there's HTV-4 (launch August 3, currently planned for unberthing on September 4). Of course such ingress schedules can be jiggled around....
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#5
by
Antares
on 11 Jul, 2013 16:33
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LADEE probably doesn't want to be stacked at the pad with a large launch vehicle in flight above it.
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#6
by
russianhalo117
on 11 Jul, 2013 23:38
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LINK:
http://www.nasa.gov/content/orbital-sciences-targeting-september-launch-to-station/#.Ud_qGxYnL8sOrbital Sciences Targeting September Launch To Station
July 11, 2013
Orbital Sciences, one of NASA’s two partners participating in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, announced it is now targeting a mid-September launch window for its demonstration flight to the International Space Station. Orbital will launch its Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard the Antares rocket between Sept. 14-19 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. It will spend several days heading toward the International Space Station where it will perform a series of checkout maneuvers, ensuring it can safely enter the keep-out zone of the orbiting complex. After those tests have been passed, Cygnus will proceed for an attempted rendezvous with the space station and will be captured by the crew on board. The rendezvous is targeted for Sept. 22.
It is a busy time for the Wallops range. NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is scheduled to launch from Sept. 6-10. LADEE is a robotic mission that will orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the lunar atmosphere, conditions near the surface and environmental influences on lunar dust.
After successful completion of a COTS demonstration mission to the station, Orbital will begin conducting eight planned cargo resupply flights to the orbiting laboratory through NASA's $1.9 billion CRS contract with the company.
NASA initiatives, such as COTS, are helping to develop a robust U.S. commercial space transportation industry with the goal of achieving safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low-Earth orbit. NASA's Commercial Crew Program also is working with commercial space partners to develop capabilities to launch U.S. astronauts from American soil in the next few years.
For more information on the Orbital flight to the space station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/orbitalArticle Image Caption:
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va.--NASA commercial space partner Orbital Sciences Corporation launched its Antares rocket at 5 p.m. EDT, Sunday, April 21, from the new Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Image Credit: NASA/Chris Perry
Image LINK to Above Caption:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/8674655959/in/set-72157633198376352
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#7
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 Aug, 2013 15:06
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
COTS Demo Mission on Sept 15 takes place about 12:00 noon and moves about 20 min. earlier per day if the schedule slips.
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#8
by
psloss
on 16 Aug, 2013 15:59
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FWIW, there's a post FRR briefing tentatively up on the NASA TV schedule.
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#9
by
Salo
on 17 Aug, 2013 18:55
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http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/Orbital Updates Schedule for COTS Demonstration MissionAugust 2013
Orbital Sciences Corporation is targeting September 15 as the first opportunity to conduct the Antares launch of our Cygnus spacecraft for the COTS Demonstration Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) originating from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. In the event that weather or other operational factors require the date to shift, the company will seek to carry out the launch no later than September 19. Currently, the Antares rocket for the COTS Demonstration Mission is completing testing at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops and will soon begin integration with the Cygnus spacecraft. Orbital anticipates that it will roll out the Antares rocket with the integrated Cygnus spacecraft to Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on or about September 11 to be ready for a September 15 launch.
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#10
by
Prober
on 17 Aug, 2013 19:21
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http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
Orbital Updates Schedule for COTS Demonstration Mission
August 2013
Orbital Sciences Corporation is targeting September 15 as the first opportunity to conduct the Antares launch of our Cygnus spacecraft for the COTS Demonstration Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) originating from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. In the event that weather or other operational factors require the date to shift, the company will seek to carry out the launch no later than September 19. Currently, the Antares rocket for the COTS Demonstration Mission is completing testing at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops and will soon begin integration with the Cygnus spacecraft. Orbital anticipates that it will roll out the Antares rocket with the integrated Cygnus spacecraft to Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on or about September 11 to be ready for a September 15 launch.
Why did they pick Sept. 11th. ? Why not the 10th or the 12th.?
Hope Orbital is not after good press that day.
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#11
by
Lars_J
on 17 Aug, 2013 21:07
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Exactly what is wrong with rolling out a rocket on Sept 11, Prober?
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#12
by
Kabloona
on 17 Aug, 2013 21:18
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Hope Orbital is not after good press that day.
I doubt they care about good press until after (successful) launch and Cygnus mission.
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#13
by
Lurker Steve
on 18 Aug, 2013 00:28
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Exactly what is wrong with rolling out a rocket on Sept 11, Prober?
Exactly. It's not exactly a national holiday, and people have work to do.
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#14
by
newpylong
on 18 Aug, 2013 02:06
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An American company attempting to launch the United States' second capability for getting equipment to the ISS...
That is a pretty good tribute to 9/11 in my mind.
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#15
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 22 Aug, 2013 21:25
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COTS Demonstration Mission Schedule Update (as of August 22, 2013)
August 2013
Following a planning and coordination meeting held yesterday, August 21,
Orbital and NASA have identified September 17, 2013 as the targeted launch date for the COTS Demonstration Mission to the International Space Station. The launch of Orbital's Antares rocket carrying the company's Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft will originate from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport launch pad 0A located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
Orbital's Antares team is targeting a launch time of 11:16 a.m., which is at the opening of an available 15-minute launch window.http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
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#16
by
douglas100
on 22 Aug, 2013 21:44
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I'm surprised that the launch window is so long.
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#17
by
sdsds
on 23 Aug, 2013 00:37
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There was some good discussion of trajectories on the A-One thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30921.105If a dogleg is part of the flight plan anyway, then ... can the length of the window be attributed to adjusting when the dogleg turn takes place, i.e. can the launch vehicle use that to fly back into the plane of the ISS orbit?
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#18
by
Chris Bergin
on 26 Aug, 2013 13:14
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#19
by
Chris Bergin
on 27 Aug, 2013 21:03
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MEDIA ADVISORY M13-139
NASA to Preview Orbital Sciences Flight to Space Station
NASA will host a televised news conference at 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 4, to preview the upcoming test flight of Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.
The news conference will originate from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston at the conclusion of a meeting in which senior NASA managers, space station partners and Orbital Sciences officials will evaluate the spacecraft's readiness for flight. Cygnus is scheduled for launch Tuesday, Sept. 17, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Briefing participants are:
-- Michael Suffredini, International Space Station program manager
-- Alan Lindenmoyer, Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program manager
-- Frank Culbertson, Orbital Sciences Corp. executive vice president
-- Courtenay McMillan, NASA flight director
The briefing will be broadcast live on NASA Television and on the agency's website.
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#20
by
psloss
on 04 Sep, 2013 15:48
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MEDIA ADVISORY M13-139
NASA will host a televised news conference at 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 4, to preview the upcoming test flight of Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.
As announced in the ISS Update hour / HTV-4 release coverage, this briefing has moved an hour earlier today to 3 pm Eastern.
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#21
by
Chris Bergin
on 04 Sep, 2013 16:33
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If there's anyone around to cover that briefing, I'd appreciate it, as I'll be AWOL around that time.
FRR has passed if NASA tweeting out the launch date is an indication.
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#22
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:15
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If there's anyone around to cover that briefing, I'd appreciate it, as I'll be AWOL around that time.
FRR has passed if NASA tweeting out the launch date is an indication.
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#23
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:19
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#24
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:24
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800kg in this test
late load test this Sat.
Test flight named GW Low.
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#25
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:28
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#26
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:32
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#27
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:39
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Cygnus Integration begun today.
No big rolls of Cheese...
Launches possible 17th thru 29th.
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#28
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:49
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"If Orbital is ready to launch in Dec. they will get the launch."
"We need a launch in Dec."
"We don't see SpaceX launch to ISS until Jan."
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#29
by
Prober
on 04 Sep, 2013 19:55
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Antares rollout on the 13th.
Three cores ready to use. Ord 1 parts available.
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#30
by
psloss
on 04 Sep, 2013 20:29
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#31
by
John44
on 04 Sep, 2013 21:48
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#32
by
Fuji
on 04 Sep, 2013 23:57
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#33
by
mlindner
on 05 Sep, 2013 02:05
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"If Orbital is ready to launch in Dec. they will get the launch."
"We need a launch in Dec."
"We don't see SpaceX launch to ISS until Jan."
He never said "We need a launch in Dec." He said they're good until 2014 in terms of logistics and 2015 in terms of consumables.
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#34
by
Robotbeat
on 05 Sep, 2013 02:38
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Question about after ISS.
Talks about how Cygnus could be used for beyond-LEO cargo transport and how the Cygnus bus could carry a habitation module or ECLSS some other cargo for a Mission to eg Mars. Emphasized that Cygnus's bus is capable of very long-duration missions.
Very, very interesting, I was thinking about these sorts of ideas! I hope they release concept studies on these ideas.
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#35
by
Prober
on 05 Sep, 2013 03:42
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"If Orbital is ready to launch in Dec. they will get the launch."
"We need a launch in Dec."
"We don't see SpaceX launch to ISS until Jan."
He never said "We need a launch in Dec." He said they're good until 2014 in terms of logistics and 2015 in terms of consumables.
your free to invest your time and effort to cover the next briefing if you don't care for my efforts.
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#36
by
Lars_J
on 05 Sep, 2013 04:47
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"If Orbital is ready to launch in Dec. they will get the launch."
"We need a launch in Dec."
"We don't see SpaceX launch to ISS until Jan."
He never said "We need a launch in Dec." He said they're good until 2014 in terms of logistics and 2015 in terms of consumables.
your free to invest your time and effort to cover the next briefing if you don't care for my efforts.
If you misrepresent what is said, you shouldn't be offended if it is corrected.
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#37
by
Prober
on 05 Sep, 2013 13:35
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"If Orbital is ready to launch in Dec. they will get the launch."
"We need a launch in Dec."
"We don't see SpaceX launch to ISS until Jan."
He never said "We need a launch in Dec." He said they're good until 2014 in terms of logistics and 2015 in terms of consumables.
your free to invest your time and effort to cover the next briefing if you don't care for my efforts.
If you misrepresent what is said, you shouldn't be offended if it is corrected.
No offence taken
Was my "best efforts" as no one else was doing it "live".
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#38
by
Lurker Steve
on 05 Sep, 2013 16:14
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I just finished listening. It sounds like they are good with consumables, but they would have to cut back on the number of hours of science per week (currently at 43).
So the CRS program needs to keep a decent cadence, or the amount of research on the ISS suffers.
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#39
by
Robotbeat
on 05 Sep, 2013 17:23
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I just finished listening. It sounds like they are good with consumables, but they would have to cut back on the number of hours of science per week (currently at 43).
So the CRS program needs to keep a decent cadence, or the amount of research on the ISS suffers.
I didn't get that impression. The impression I got was that they are far ahead on consumables such that they wouldn't need to do any cutting back (and actually, how would the supply of consumables depend on how much science is done? No one has even HINTED about lowering the crew complement, that'd be an extreme measure.)
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#40
by
Lurker Steve
on 05 Sep, 2013 17:26
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I just finished listening. It sounds like they are good with consumables, but they would have to cut back on the number of hours of science per week (currently at 43).
So the CRS program needs to keep a decent cadence, or the amount of research on the ISS suffers.
I didn't get that impression. The impression I got was that they are far ahead on consumables such that they wouldn't need to do any cutting back (and actually, how would the supply of consumables depend on how much science is done? No one has even HINTED about lowering the crew complement, that'd be an extreme measure.)
How about putting it this way..
Food, Clothes, Water, oxygen are fine for supporting the astronauts.
They need the cargo ships to delivery more experiments to keep the astronauts busy with science instead of simple maintenance chores.
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#41
by
Robotbeat
on 05 Sep, 2013 17:30
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I just finished listening. It sounds like they are good with consumables, but they would have to cut back on the number of hours of science per week (currently at 43).
So the CRS program needs to keep a decent cadence, or the amount of research on the ISS suffers.
I didn't get that impression. The impression I got was that they are far ahead on consumables such that they wouldn't need to do any cutting back (and actually, how would the supply of consumables depend on how much science is done? No one has even HINTED about lowering the crew complement, that'd be an extreme measure.)
How about putting it this way..
Food, Clothes, Water, oxygen are fine for supporting the astronauts.
They need the cargo ships to delivery more experiments to keep the astronauts busy with science instead of simple maintenance chores.
That isn't consumables, that would be logistics. I believe that distinction was made in the briefing.
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#42
by
catdlr
on 05 Sep, 2013 17:36
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Orbital Sciences/Cygnus Demonstation MissionPublished on Sep 5, 2013
This video shows highlights of the Orbital Sciences A-ONE launch mission in April 21, 2013 and the preparations for the Sept. 17 launch of Cygnus on its first demonstration flight to the International Space Station.
Read more about Orbital Sciences participation in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services here:
www.nasa.gov/orbital
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#43
by
catdlr
on 05 Sep, 2013 20:04
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Orbital Sciences/Cygnus Demonstration Flight AnimationPublished on Sep 5, 2013
This animation shows the launch of the Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo ship and its rendezvous with the International Space Station.
Read more about Orbital Sciences' participation in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services here:
www.nasa.gov/orbital
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#44
by
psloss
on 07 Sep, 2013 02:55
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#45
by
manboy
on 07 Sep, 2013 03:07
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#46
by
TJL
on 07 Sep, 2013 15:47
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Will the launch trajectory mirror Antares' April launch...thank you.
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#47
by
beidou
on 09 Sep, 2013 10:23
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#48
by
woods170
on 09 Sep, 2013 10:52
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Will the launch trajectory mirror Antares' April launch...thank you.
A Chinese guy has answered your question, and he wished you can see it:)
The answer can be found here: http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=11429&pid=264357&fromuid=24484
So, a Chinese national posted the lauch trajectory of the upcoming Orb-D mission on a public forum? I wonder when Senator Wolf will send in the NSA hackers to have that forum taken down.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
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#49
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 09 Sep, 2013 11:04
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Will the launch trajectory mirror Antares' April launch...thank you.
A Chinese guy has answered your question, and he wished you can see it:)
The answer can be found here: http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=11429&pid=264357&fromuid=24484
So, a Chinese national posted the lauch trajectory of the upcoming Orb-D mission on a public forum? I wonder when Senator Wolf will send in the NSA hackers to have that forum taken down.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
I'm ROFL-ing on the ground right now.....
OK seriously, since on the Antares test flight the payloads were deployed into a 51.6 degree inclination orbit, I believe the launch trajectory will be the same as in the last launch.
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#50
by
Robotbeat
on 10 Sep, 2013 02:29
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When are we going to set up the Orbital Sciences Beer Kegger Party thread? SpaceX brought the cheese, but it's not a party until you've got the keg!
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#51
by
kevin-rf
on 10 Sep, 2013 11:51
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We also lacked one when Orbital's LADEE jumped over the moon
Those kinda things only happen at keggers, and never at wine and cheese parties
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#52
by
Prober
on 10 Sep, 2013 15:23
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When are we going to set up the Orbital Sciences Beer Kegger Party thread? SpaceX brought the cheese, but it's not a party until you've got the keg!
Let's see popcorn for the next SpaceX launch party; How about pretzel's for Antares?
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#53
by
kevin-rf
on 10 Sep, 2013 15:28
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Tis getting close to Oktoberfest ...
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#54
by
Prober
on 10 Sep, 2013 15:43
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Tis getting close to Oktoberfest ...
good name for a party thread..... "Orbitalfest"
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#55
by
kevin-rf
on 10 Sep, 2013 17:15
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Need's a 'K', OrbikalFest ...
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#56
by
schaban
on 10 Sep, 2013 17:40
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OktorbitalFest?
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#57
by
baldusi
on 10 Sep, 2013 18:58
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OktorbitalFest?
Where's that LIKE button?!?!?!
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#58
by
kevin-rf
on 10 Sep, 2013 19:08
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I think it's the Mod button
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#59
by
arachnitect
on 10 Sep, 2013 19:18
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"Virginia is for Launchers" ?
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#60
by
psloss
on 10 Sep, 2013 20:06
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Orbital has updated their Antares/Cygnus page with a couple of images of spacecraft mate to the booster:
"Cygnus Mated to Antares"
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
Page updated with late load images.
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#61
by
Chris Bergin
on 10 Sep, 2013 22:29
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I'll set up the relevant threads either today or tomorrow, as this is closing in now.
MEDIA ADVISORY M13-145
NASA TV Coverage Set for Orbital Sciences Demonstration Mission
NASA Television will air pre- and post-launch news conferences and provide live launch coverage of Orbital Sciences Corporation's cargo resupply demonstration mission to the International Space Station.
The company's Cygnus cargo carrier will be the first spacecraft launched to the orbiting laboratory from Virginia. It will be launched aboard Orbital's Antares rocket at 11:16 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 17, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia.
NASA TV launch commentary coverage will begin at 10:45 a.m. Video b-roll of launch preparations will air at 10:30 a.m. A post-launch news briefing will begin at approximately 1 p.m. at the Wallops Visitors Center. NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will operate a phone bridge for the pre- and post-launch briefings. To participate in any briefing by phone, reporters must call the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 at least 15 minutes before the start of the briefing.
Cygnus will deliver about 1,300 pounds (589 kilograms) of cargo, including food and clothing, to the Expedition 37 crew aboard the space station. Future flights of Cygnus will significantly increase NASA's ability to deliver new science investigations to the nation's only laboratory in microgravity.
NASA will preview the launch and mission in a news conference at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at the Wallops Visitors Center. NASA TV and the agency's website will air the briefing live with question and answer capability available from participating NASA centers or on the telephone. Questions also can be asked during the briefings via Twitter by using the hashtag #askNASA.
The briefing participants are:
-- Alan Lindenmoyer, program manager, NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program
-- Frank Culbertson, executive vice president, Orbital Sciences Corp.
-- Mike Pinkston, Antares program manager, Orbital Sciences Corp.
-- Sarah Daugherty, test director, NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
The deadline to apply for accreditation to attend the launch is 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 for media who are U.S. citizens. The deadline has passed for non-U.S. citizens. For additional information regarding accreditation contact Keith Koehler at
[email protected].
Rendezvous with the space station is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22. NASA Television coverage will begin at 4:30 a.m. and will continue through the capture and installation of the Cygnus spacecraft. Capture is scheduled for about 7:17 a.m. with installation of the craft beginning about 9 a.m.
At about 1 p.m., after Cygnus operations are complete, a joint news conference will take place at Johnson and at Orbital's Headquarters at 45101 Warp Drive in Dulles, Va. The briefing will be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website. Media interested in attending the briefing in Houston should contact Johnson's newsroom no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Media who are U.S. citizens and want to attend the briefing at Orbital should call Barron Beneski at 703-406-5528 or email
[email protected] by noon Friday, Sept. 20. Media who are not U.S. citizens must submit their information to Orbital by noon Monday, Sept. 16.
Orbital is the second of NASA’s two partners taking part in the agency's COTS program. The goal of this program is to develop safe, reliable, and cost effective cargo transportation systems. Orbital began its work in 2008. Following a successful demonstration mission, the company is poised to begin regular resupply missions. The other partner, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), began its work in 2006, and after a successful test flight in 2012, began flying regular cargo missions to the space station.
During Cygnus' flight to the station, several of the spacecraft's systems and capabilities will be tested. After the space station flight control team has verified the results of these objectives, the spacecraft will be cleared to approach the station several days after launch. Cygnus will undergo more tests and maneuvers and ultimately will arrive beneath the outpost, where astronauts on board will use the station’s arm to capture the craft. They then will install it on the bottom side of the station’s Harmony module.
For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For information on the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station For more information about the mission, and for updated schedules of tours, briefings and NASA TV coverage, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/orbital
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#62
by
spectre9
on 11 Sep, 2013 00:04
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SpaceX took ice cream didn't they?
Will be interesting to see if Orbital has any treats in store.
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#63
by
manboy
on 11 Sep, 2013 05:24
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Orbital has updated their Antares/Cygnus page with a couple of images of spacecraft mate to the booster:
"Cygnus Mated to Antares"
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
Page updated with late load images.
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#64
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 11 Sep, 2013 13:12
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Is this the largest spacecraft (for actual flight purposes) that Orbital has ever built? I know that they've built some comsats and other commercial satellites too.
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#65
by
StarryKnight
on 11 Sep, 2013 15:06
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Is this the largest spacecraft (for actual flight purposes) that Orbital has ever built? I know that they've built some comsats and other commercial satellites too.
As far as height, the ORB-Demo vehicle is about 5.6 meters, which is about the same size as the largest commercial GEO bird that Orbital has launched. But there's plans for a stretched Cygnus that will add another meter in length.
The heaviest commercial GEO for Orbital is around 3500 kg. The standard Cygnus can go up to around 4700 kg and the enhanced around 6500 kg.
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#66
by
kevin-rf
on 11 Sep, 2013 15:17
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...but how large are Orbital GEO Satellites compared to Cygnus when the solar panels and antenna are deployed. If that metric was use, the title goes to Orbitals commercial GO business
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#67
by
StarryKnight
on 11 Sep, 2013 15:50
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...but how large are Orbital GEO Satellites compared to Cygnus when the solar panels and antenna are deployed. If that metric was use, the title goes to Orbitals commercial GO business
Well, yeah.
. Now you're talking about 23.6 meters (930 inches) from tip to tip on the solar arrays after they're deployed. And after the communications reflectors are deployed on the largest of Orbital's GEOs, they stretch about 9 meters (~360 inches) tip to tip in the "East-West" direction. But these appendages remain stowed from prior to mating to the launch vehicle until one to two weeks after launch.
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#68
by
Robotbeat
on 11 Sep, 2013 16:29
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...
As far as height, the ORB-Demo vehicle is about 5.6 meters, which is about the same size as the largest commercial GEO bird that Orbital has launched. But there's plans for a stretched Cygnus that will add another meter in length....
Not just plans at this point. The pressure vessels for the first few Advanced Cygnuses (Cygnii?) have already been manufactured:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/(in the July 2013 update)
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#69
by
edkyle99
on 11 Sep, 2013 17:42
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Is this the largest spacecraft (for actual flight purposes) that Orbital has ever built? I know that they've built some comsats and other commercial satellites too.
The "large" part of the Cygnus, the pressurized cargo module, is built by Europe's Thales Alenia Space.
http://www.thalesaleniaspace-issmodules.com/index.php/cygnus - Ed Kyle
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#70
by
Robotbeat
on 11 Sep, 2013 17:45
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...and the solar arrays (for Advanced Cygnus) are the UltraFlex arrays built by ATK. Regardless, making a pressure vessel is not making a spacecraft. Orbital built Cygnus, Thales built one of the parts.
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#71
by
newpylong
on 11 Sep, 2013 20:02
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The Cygnus page has newer pictures than even yesterday with the fairing encapsulated.
Yes it looks like there are at least two Enhanced Cygni (6 of the "rings") in production in the photos.
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#72
by
manboy
on 12 Sep, 2013 01:38
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The Cygnus page has newer pictures than even yesterday with the fairing encapsulated.
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#73
by
edkyle99
on 12 Sep, 2013 19:56
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...and the solar arrays (for Advanced Cygnus) are the UltraFlex arrays built by ATK. Regardless, making a pressure vessel is not making a spacecraft. Orbital built Cygnus, Thales built one of the parts.
To me, "building" implies brute force parts manufacturing and assembly, Henry Ford style. Orbital
assembled Cygnus (and Antares), but almost all of the parts came from subcontractors.
- Ed Kyle
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#74
by
Robotbeat
on 12 Sep, 2013 20:05
-
...and the solar arrays (for Advanced Cygnus) are the UltraFlex arrays built by ATK. Regardless, making a pressure vessel is not making a spacecraft. Orbital built Cygnus, Thales built one of the parts.
To me, "building" implies brute force parts manufacturing and assembly, Henry Ford style. Orbital assembled Cygnus (and Antares), but almost all of the parts came from subcontractors.
- Ed Kyle
Ford style, you mean if it isn't completely vertically integrated (i.e. mining sand to make glass), then it doesn't count? Odd.
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#75
by
Chris Bergin
on 12 Sep, 2013 23:24
-
Great work by Orbital to get a load of resources published.....
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Orb-D1/Rollout operations begin at about 12:30 a.m local. The rocket first emerges from the HIF about 2:30 a.m., the rocket with the integrated Cygnus travels about one mile to MARS pad 0A, and by early morning hours, if all goes well, we'll have an upright Antares on the pad.
I'll use this post to be the basis of the main live update thread for the launch.
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#76
by
Prober
on 13 Sep, 2013 02:13
-
Great work by Orbital to get a load of resources published.....
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Orb-D1/
Rollout operations begin at about 12:30 a.m local. ., the rocket with the integrated Cygnus travels about one mile to MARS pad 0A, and by early morning hours, if all goes well, we'll have an upright Antares on the pad.
I'll use this post to be the basis of the main live update thread for the launch.
Should read: The rocket first emerges from the HIF about 2:30 P.m.
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#77
by
Chris Bergin
on 13 Sep, 2013 02:29
-
Actually, let's keep on this thread for rollout.
We can start a launch thread at L-1 day next week.
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#78
by
Artyom.
on 13 Sep, 2013 15:53
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#79
by
kegan
on 13 Sep, 2013 15:55
-
During today's NASA TV ISS update, they streamed snippits of the rollout. Is that an internal stream or is there public access to that somewhere?
Kevin
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#80
by
jacqmans
on 13 Sep, 2013 16:00
-
Orbital Sciences Orb-D1 patch
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#81
by
Prober
on 13 Sep, 2013 16:34
-
During today's NASA TV ISS update, they streamed snippits of the rollout. Is that an internal stream or is there public access to that somewhere?
Kevin
Just turned on NasaTv found late loading video
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#82
by
Orbiter
on 13 Sep, 2013 19:28
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#83
by
Salo
on 13 Sep, 2013 23:15
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#84
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Sep, 2013 01:48
-
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#85
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Sep, 2013 14:18
-
Per L2, 24 hour delay to launch. Will update the article.
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#86
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 14 Sep, 2013 14:39
-
Per L2, 24 hour delay to launch. Will update the article.
What's the launch window on Wednesday? (I guess it opens at 10:5X am EDT?)
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#87
by
Artyom.
on 14 Sep, 2013 15:37
-
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#88
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 14 Sep, 2013 15:38
-
Per L2, 24 hour delay to launch. Will update the article.
What's the launch window on Wednesday? (I guess it opens at 10:5X am EDT?)
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
#Antares launch of #Cygnus for #cotsdemo mission delayed 24 hours. Overnight testing ID'd faulty cable-now replaced. Retest later today.
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
Launch window of #Antares and #Cygnus for #cotsdemo mission on Setember 18 would be 10:50 to 11:05 am EDT
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#89
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Sep, 2013 15:54
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Orbital (using a PR company now it seems):
Following a launch review meeting held earlier this morning, Orbital’s Antares team has decided to postpone the launch of the COTS Demonstration mission from Wallops Island, VA by at least 24 hours.
The combination of yesterday’s poor weather that delayed roll-out of the rocket to the launch pad and a technical issue that was identified during a combined systems test held last night involving communications between ground equipment and the rocket’s flight computer drove the decision to delay the launch.
After comprehensive inspection and testing this morning, the problem was found and turned out to be an inoperative cable, which is being replaced. Orbital will repeat the combined systems test later today. Once that important test is successfully completed, the team will be able to proceed toward a September 18 launch.
The launch window on September 18 is from 10:50 to 11:05 a.m. (EDT)
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#90
by
Artyom.
on 14 Sep, 2013 16:53
-
Cargo was late loaded into Orbital Sciences Cygnus Spacecraft, which is due to launch on it's first flight to the International Space Station on September 18th.
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#91
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 Sep, 2013 17:26
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MEDIA ADVISORY M13-149
Updated Launch Date, NASA TV Coverage for Orbital Sciences Demonstration Mission
Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., will postpone by at least 24 hours the launch of its Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft on a demonstration mission to the International Space Station. The new launch window is targeted for Wednesday, Sept. 18 between 10:50 to 11:05 a.m. EDT from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia.
Cygnus' rendezvous with the space station remains scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22. NASA Television will air pre- and post-launch news conferences and provide live launch and rendezvous coverage of the mission.
The postponement is due to a combination of Friday’s poor weather, which delayed rollout of Antares to the launch pad, and a technical issue identified during a combined systems test held Friday night involving communications between ground equipment and the rocket’s flight computer. The problem has been identified and corrected. The teams are working to understand why the problem occurred.
NASA will preview the launch and mission in a news conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Wallops Visitors Center. NASA TV and the agency's website will air the briefing live with question and answer capability available from participating NASA centers or on the telephone. To participate using the phone bridge, which is operated out of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, journalists must call the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 by 1:45 p.m.
Questions also can be asked during all briefings via Twitter by using the hashtag #askNASA.
The prelaunch briefing participants are:
-- Alan Lindenmoyer, program manager, NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program
-- Frank Culbertson, executive vice president, Orbital Sciences Corp.
-- Mike Pinkston, Antares program manager, Orbital Sciences Corp.
-- Sarah Daugherty, test director, NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
NASA TV launch commentary coverage will begin at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. Video b-roll of launch preparations will air at 10 a.m.
A post-launch news briefing will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the Wallops Visitors Center. Johnson Space Center will operate a phone bridge for the post-launch briefings. To participate in the briefing by phone, reporters must call the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 at least 15 minutes before the start of the briefing.
The deadline to apply for accreditation to attend the launch has passed.
On Sunday, Sept. 22, NASA Television coverage of rendezvous will begin at 4:30 a.m. and will continue through the capture and installation of the Cygnus spacecraft. Capture is scheduled for about 7:17 a.m. with installation of the craft beginning about 9 a.m.
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#92
by
psloss
on 14 Sep, 2013 19:21
-
Received statement from Orbital via NASA PAO a little while back, also posted here:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/Excerpt:
After comprehensive inspection and testing this morning, the problem was found and turned out to be an inoperative cable, which is being replaced. Orbital will repeat the combined systems test later today. Once that important test is successfully completed, the team will be able to proceed toward a September 18 launch.
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#93
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 Sep, 2013 15:30
-
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
Our #Antares and #Cygnus launch teams for the #cotsdemo successfully completed CST late last night. On track for launch on 9/18 at 10:50am
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#94
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 Sep, 2013 18:20
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
Launch Readiness Review complete. We are go for a Wednesday 10:50 am launch.
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#95
by
Mapperuo
on 17 Sep, 2013 07:01
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#96
by
kevin-rf
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:06
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#97
by
jsmjr
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:14
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#98
by
kevin-rf
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:35
-
Well the rocket was happy to see him.
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#99
by
ugordan
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:42
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Well the rocket was happy to see him.
If this doesn't show we need the party thread started ASAP, I don't know what does.
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#100
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:43
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Setting that up shortly
We'll have the launch thread later too, as we've already got a great launch day article from William Graham, so we're going to be in great shape for tomorrow.
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#101
by
jsmjr
on 17 Sep, 2013 13:55
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we're going to be in great shape for tomorrow.
We (NSF) are ready. Now, let the weather, the range and the vehicle do the same!
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#102
by
jacqmans
on 17 Sep, 2013 15:59
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ORBITAL SET TO LAUNCH COTS DEMONSTRATION MISSION TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION TOMORROW
-- Upcoming Mission Represents Final Milestone in the Development of
Antares Launch Vehicle and Cygnus Cargo Logistics Spacecraft --
(Dulles, VA 17 September 2013) – Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB),
one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced it
is prepared to launch its Antares rocket carrying the company’s new Cygnus
cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow morning.
The launch is currently planned to take place on Wednesday, September 18,
with lift-off scheduled at 10:50 a.m. (EDT) from the Mid-Atlantic Regional
Spaceport (MARS) at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA.
Antares will launch Cygnus into a targeted orbit of 245 x 300 kilometers,
inclined at 51.6 degrees to the equator. Following in-orbit activation
shortly after launch, Cygnus will carry out a series of tests and maneuvers
over a four-day period to demonstrate its readiness to rendezvous and berth
with the station, now planned for Sunday, September 22.
“Antares is the largest and most complex rocket Orbital has ever produced,”
said Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital’s President and Chief Executive
Officer. “After its flawless inaugural flight in April, we have been
actively preparing for this next critical, much-anticipated milestone.
Likewise, Cygnus is one of the most sophisticated spacecraft Orbital has
developed and built. As an integral part of the Space Station program, it
meets NASA’s requirements for a human-rated level of safety. Our
engineering and operations teams are very excited to be on the threshold of
launching and conducting this mission, which they have been working toward
for the last five years.”
The goal of the mission is to demonstrate the capability of Orbital’s cargo
transportation system to reliably deliver cargo to the ISS, which will lead
to regularly scheduled missions beginning as early as December. This
demonstration flight is the final milestone in Orbital’s Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services (COTS) joint research and development initiative
with NASA. Under the COTS program, which began in 2008, NASA and Orbital
developed Cygnus, which meets the stringent human-rated safety requirements
for ISS operations. Orbital also privately developed the Antares launch
vehicle to provide low-cost, reliable access to space for medium-class
payloads. Together, these elements are being used for the COTS flight
demonstration of Orbital’s commercial cargo supply capability to the ISS.
Pending the successful completion of the COTS program, Orbital will begin
regularly scheduled cargo delivery missions to the ISS under its $1.9
billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. Under the
CRS contract, Orbital will deliver approximately 20,000 kilograms of net
cargo to the ISS over eight missions through 2016. For these missions,
NASA will manifest a variety of essential items based on ISS program needs,
including food, clothing, crew supplies, spare parts and equipment, and
scientific experiments.
About Antares
The Antares medium-class launch vehicle will provide a major increase in
the payload launch capability that Orbital can provide to NASA, the U.S.
Air Force and commercial customers. The Antares rocket will launch
spacecraft weighing up to 14,000 lbs. into low-Earth orbit, as well as
lighter-weight payloads into higher-energy orbits. Orbital’s newest
launcher is currently on-ramped to both the NASA Launch Services-2 and the
U.S. Air Force’s Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 contracts, enabling the two
largest U.S. government space launch customers to order Antares for
“right-size and right-price” launch services for medium-class spacecraft.
For more information on Antares, visit
http://www.orbital.com/SpaceLaunch/Antares/.
About Cygnus
Orbital developed the Cygnus cargo spacecraft as part of its COTS joint
research and development initiative with NASA. Cygnus consists of a common
Service Module (SM) and a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM). The SM
incorporates avionics, power and propulsion systems already successfully
flown aboard dozens of Orbital’s LEOStar™ and GEOStar™ satellite products.
The PCM, designed and built by Thales Alenia Space under a subcontract from
Orbital, is based on the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) used with
the Space Shuttle. For more information on Cygnus, visit
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Publications/Cygnus_fact.pdf
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#103
by
jacqmans
on 17 Sep, 2013 16:07
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#104
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 17:02
-
Any help with the upcoming presser will be appreciated. I'm trying to clear as much day job stuff to be free for the two launches tomorrow. Thanks!
Scrub that. I'm going to be able to cover this.
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#105
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 17:56
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#106
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 17:57
-
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#107
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:01
-
Here we go....Yay! It's Josh!
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#108
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:02
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#109
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:04
-
Alan looking excited again.
Speaking about the relationships, including entities such as the FAA, State of Virginia, etc.....and the ISS that has helped with the technical integration.
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#110
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:05
-
Slide showing Orbital winning the COTS award.
29 milestones, this is the last one.
(They always put these slides on nasa.gov, so don't worry about the quality via NASA TV).
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#111
by
ugordan
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:05
-
Nice touch with the live video of the pad in the background!
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#112
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:06
-
The mission objectives for ORB-D:
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#113
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:07
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10 "gates" of demos for Cygnus' trip to the ISS.
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#114
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:09
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Video....but we've seen most of this before.
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#115
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:10
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#116
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:10
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7:25am for berthing....on morning of arrival.
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#117
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:11
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Heh. We all know that's not really Cygnus they are unpacking there
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#118
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:12
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#119
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:13
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"This is so critical to NASA".
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#120
by
jsmjr
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:13
-
Flyaround.
Is the purpose of the flyaround to obtain imagery or just demonstrate flight capabilities?
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#121
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:14
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Frank's turn.
Notes a lot of launches and events going on around this month. Really nice hat tip to SpaceX and others there.
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#122
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:16
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Lots of thanks to all the partners. "It's truly been a team that has been focused on making this a reality."
700kg going up.
SM:
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#123
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:16
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PCM arrived ahead of schedule.
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#124
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:18
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Still aiming for another launch before Christmas.
"Watch out for the traffic"
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#125
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:19
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Mike with Antares.
Team is excited and ready to go.
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#126
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:20
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HIF two or three weeks ago.
ORB-D and ORB-1 together.
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#127
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:21
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#128
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:21
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And there's the fairing integrated. Pretty rocket.
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#129
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:22
-
Notes the weather delay and a few issues with pad integration causing the one day delay.
Last of the testing was completed last night. Closeouts and walkdowns today. Final arming tonight. 2am CTS.
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#130
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:23
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Cygnus has been named......
G. David Lowe.
Family will be attending.
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#131
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:25
-
Go for launch has been granted at the final meetings.
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#132
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:25
-
Wallops assets - in places such as North Carolina, etc.
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#133
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:26
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Let's hope they all take notice of this....
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#134
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:26
-
75 percent chance of acceptable weather.
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#135
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:27
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Visibility map for the launch!
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#136
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:28
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Questions. Will pick out interesting responses.
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#137
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:30
-
Late Stow items....think it's food and tools. We don't actually look at the bags.
Can survive for 24 hours if the arrays don't deploy, longer if only one deploys, but confident in the system.
Robert's there, oh and I've spotted our very own Philip!
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#138
by
StarryKnight
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:32
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Flyaround.
Is the purpose of the flyaround to obtain imagery or just demonstrate flight capabilities?
Flight demonstration.
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#139
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:37
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Robert asking about camera views......will look the same as A-One. There is a camera on the spacecraft. Not sure about what views they'll get. Won't be fully live due to bandwidth, so a lot downlinked later.
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#140
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:39
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Our very own Philip asking about weather rules!
Cloud ceiling and visibility - items that may impact on radar etc.
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#141
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:42
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Local media guy asking about Wallops. Orbital note they've added several hundred jobs. Notes interest ranges to local schools and commerce. Really appreciate the interest and that they realize they are adding to the local economy.
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#142
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:46
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Orbital have hardware for the next two missions on base. Up to 10 planned. Can supply more if NASA request.
ORB-D is very important to Orbital to show reliability.
Lots of interest to see if they succeed with this mission and then may place a firm order (private companies - and mentions national security payloads).
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#143
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:49
-
On shorter timeline to reach the Station, now four days. Can delay a day or two if necessary.
Still need to demo the 10 milestones on the way to the Station. Can stay on orbit for 30 days. If there's a delay - and conflict with the Soyuz - can stay on orbit for a week or longer if required. Same for undocking timeline.
That's the plan for the fourth or fifth mission, to do some experiments on orbit after undocking.
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#144
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:52
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Talking about the cable that was damaged as part of the delay from pad integration - details already in L2 at the time. Bottom line is the replaced the cable and it all works fine now.
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#145
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 18:56
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Thursday is a 10 percent chance of violation.
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#146
by
Prober
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:00
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the fiber optic cable is that same as last time failed
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#147
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:01
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Well now we know Irene reads the site, asking about EMU hardware going up on Cygnus'. Answer was as is now planned, not this one, but maybe the next.
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#148
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:02
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Presser over. Josh says they'll make sure all the frogs are off the launch pad!
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#149
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:02
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Live threads, etc next.
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#150
by
Prober
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:03
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got here late...errr
Asked if orbital was interesting in Commercial crew.....ans: Orbital has a full plate
Asked about the fire last time.......the pad has had the lawn cut back and will also have the fire dept on the pad area right after..
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#151
by
John44
on 17 Sep, 2013 19:21
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#152
by
jacqmans
on 17 Sep, 2013 20:45
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A view of Antares as seen from Pad 0B - the site of the Minotaur V LADEE launch on September 6.
Orbital photo.
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#153
by
Chris Bergin
on 18 Sep, 2013 00:15
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#154
by
jacqmans
on 18 Sep, 2013 06:25
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Engineers and technicians work on the Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket, with its Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard, at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013 in Virginia. NASA's commercial space partner, Orbital Sciences Corporation, is targeting a Sept. 18 launch for its demonstration cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
. Now you're talking about 23.6 meters (930 inches) from tip to tip on the solar arrays after they're deployed. And after the communications reflectors are deployed on the largest of Orbital's GEOs, they stretch about 9 meters (~360 inches) tip to tip in the "East-West" direction. But these appendages remain stowed from prior to mating to the launch vehicle until one to two weeks after launch.
