Cygnus CRS OA-7 - April 2017 - Payloads & On-Orbit Discussion Thread

[Steven Pietrobon]

The QB50 launch schedule is showing 30 December for their launch date flying from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport to the ISS. Inspection, processing and hand-over to Orbital-ATK of the cubesats is from October to December. This can only be the OA-7 mission, which was previously known to be scheduled for December 2016.

Batch A of 20 QB50 cubesats will be deployed in February 2017, with Batch B and another 20 QB50 cubesats in May 2017.

https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/schedule

edit/gongora: additional thread for this mission at http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41564.0, use that thread for launch discussion.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's a short report I wrote on one of the QB50 satellites flying on this mission.

On Monday, 12 September 2016, I had a chance to see the final touches being made to SUSat. The 2U cubesat is one of three Australian QB50 satellites that are scheduled to be launch in the OA-7 Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) on 30 December 2016. The QB50 satellites will then be deployed from ISS in two batches in February and March 2017.

Attached are photos of Dr. Matthew Tetlow, the project leader of SUSat, in front of the clean air box where SUSat is being worked on. In the close up photo, you can see the dummy Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) next to SUSat on the right. The real INMS had been test fitted to SUSat, but then sent back to Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) where further work needs to be performed on the instrument. The INMS will be used for measuring the thermosphere around the Earth.

You can see two cables going to the top of SUSat. The cable going to the back is the programming and power cable. Dr. Tetlow was in the process of reprogramming the software that controls the Sun sensors. The cable going to the front is the Remove Before Flight inhibit cable. When plugged in, SUSat is in a safe mode. The INMS is fitted to the base, which also has several contact switches. When SUSat is deployed, the switches tells SUSat that it can now power on and start working. Unfortunately, one of the original switches failed during vibration testing. The switches have now been replaced by more simpler and robust units, having successfully passed testing on the other Australian QB50 cubesats.

Commercial solar cells from Azurspace and Spectrolab are used. There are five panels, one each on the four main sides and one small panel on top. Each side panel has four triple-junction Gallium Arsenide solar cells with the top panel having two cells, for a total of 18 cells. Each large panel is capable of generating 5.2 Watts, although SUSat only has an average power of around 4 Watts, with a 2 Watt minimum operating power. Each panel also has a small Sun detector. You can see one of these in the middle on the right hand side, below the orange blob.

On the left, you can see one of the two Sun sensors (the round object) and one of the two GPS receive antennas (the square object) from Antcom. The other Sun sensor and GPS antenna are on the other side of SUSat. At the top you can see one of the two yellow communication antennas in the stowed position. The other antenna is on the other side. This is simply your everyday measuring tape that has been cut to size! One antenna operates at VHF (Very High Frequency) and the other antenna at UHF (Ultra High Frequency). Two antennas and frequencies are used for redundancy.

The total mass of SUSat is 1.96 kg plus or minus 40 grams, which is the uncertainty of the INMS mass. I'd like to also acknowledge all the students from the University of Adelaide who have worked hard to make this possible as well as Dr. William Cowley and his team from the University of South Australia for providing the communications electronics on the satellite and the ground station.

[ZachS09]

I have a feeling that the OA-7 mission might not launch on December 30th because of the delays of OA-5. Anyone disagree with my thoughts?

[Sam Ho]

I have a feeling that the OA-7 mission might not launch on December 30th because of the delays of OA-5. Anyone disagree with my thoughts?

I don't see that would necessarily be the case. If you look at the FPIP manifest from Chris's article last week, OA-5, HTV-6, SpX-10, and OA-7 were pretty much scheduled back to back. HTV-6 is now delayed to fix an air leak, and SpX is pending Falcon RTF, which is NET November, so it would not be unreasonable for the next two VV to both be Cygnus.

I'm sure FPIP meetings must be interesting.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/antares-rtf-oa-5-cygnus-iss/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

As the #OA5 #Antares rocket prepares for launch, the next core stage was moved today to the HIF to be integrated for the next mission

https://twitter.com/orbitalatk/status/788080808426770432

[ZachS09]

As the #OA5 #Antares rocket prepares for launch, the next core stage was moved today to the HIF to be integrated for the next mission

https://twitter.com/orbitalatk/status/788080808426770432

Shouldn't the wrapped core be the one for the OA-8E mission because the OA-7 core was used for the static fire?

[jacqmans]

As the #OA5 #Antares rocket prepares for launch, the next core stage was moved today to the HIF to be integrated for the next mission

https://twitter.com/orbitalatk/status/788080808426770432

Shouldn't the wrapped core be the one for the OA-8E mission because the OA-7 core was used for the static fire?

NO

[zubenelgenubi]

According to SFN ULA won another Atlas contract from Orbital ATK to launch OAS 7 in March next year

Is there any hardware (Cygnus, cubesats, ISS cargo) that was already at Wallops that will need to be moved to the Cape (Astrotech in Titusville)?

[jacqmans]

According to SFN ULA won another Atlas contract from Orbital ATK to launch OAS 7 in March next year

Is there any hardware (Cygnus, cubesats, ISS cargo) that was already at Wallops that will need to be moved to the Cape (Astrotech in Titusville)?

The next Antares/Cygnus launch is scheduled for February next year from wallops... so I do not think this is necessary...

[HVM]

"Orbital ATK said that the OA-7 Cygnus mission, previously planned to launch on an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia, will instead launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the spring of 2017. The company said this is a one-time arrangement, with future Cygnus launches returning to the Antares."

http://spacenews.com/orbital-to-launch-next-cygnus-mission-on-atlas-5/

[Kansan52]

Flexibility. This is the type of deal that makes me believe ULA can compete with or without being the lowest price.

[Star One]

Additional reporting on this here.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/4/13521606/orbital-atk-ula-atlas-v-nasa-rocket-launch

[edkyle99]

"Orbital ATK said that the OA-7 Cygnus mission, previously planned to launch on an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia, will instead launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the spring of 2017. The company said this is a one-time arrangement, with future Cygnus launches returning to the Antares."

http://spacenews.com/orbital-to-launch-next-cygnus-mission-on-atlas-5/

Puzzling.  Antares inaugural data review?  Something else?   

 - Ed Kyle

[Skyrocket]

"Orbital ATK said that the OA-7 Cygnus mission, previously planned to launch on an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia, will instead launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the spring of 2017. The company said this is a one-time arrangement, with future Cygnus launches returning to the Antares."

http://spacenews.com/orbital-to-launch-next-cygnus-mission-on-atlas-5/

Puzzling.  Antares inaugural data review?  Something else?   

 - Ed Kyle

Likely payload capacity.

[Kansan52]

the spacenews link above states NASA requested the change to include more payload.

[Sam Ho]

From the OA non-earnings call today, it seems that the Atlas for OA-7 is for schedule, and they also plan to fly 3 Antares over the next 12 months:

The company has not, as of now, finalized any arrangements, but I think I can share our viewpoint on this situation. As we're always doing, Orbital ATK has discussed with NASA how we can best contribute to beating the space agency's needs for space station cargo, particularly over the next 12 to 18 months while other cargo delivery options are in flux.

As part of this, we are now preparing to conduct four cargo missions over a 12-month period from early next year through early 2018 to provide NASA with maximum operational flexibility in view of the situation with the other cargo suppliers. But to ensure that we can achieve a higher-than-planned flight rate and to maximize cargo capacity on each mission, we may well decide to supplement the three Antares rockets that are currently in production with one Atlas launch during this time.

We don't want to overcommit to the flight rate that we can achieve over the next 12 to 15 months. And so we think for that reason it may well be prudent to supplement the planned Antares launches with a possible Atlas launch. And we'll have more to communicate on this in the near future.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/4021177-orbital-atks-oa-ceo-dave-thompson-q3-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript

[Steven Pietrobon]

Heard from Dr. Matthew Tetlow today at the South Australian Space Forum that the QB50 satellites will be launching on 17 February on OA-7.

[Chris Bergin]

Chris Gebhardt interview with Orbital ATK on Antares performance and switch to Atlas V:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/oa-7-atlas-v-high-praise-antares-rtf/

[CorvusCorax]

Really impressive awesome article! That's NSF at its best ( and also very very nice of Frank DeMauro )

[robertross]

Chris Gebhardt interview with Orbital ATK on Antares performance and switch to Atlas V:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/11/oa-7-atlas-v-high-praise-antares-rtf/

Wow, ULA can certainly deliver. 4 months! Beyond impressive, and it says a lot about Orbital ATK and their organization to afford this interchangeability of their spacecraft.

Nice article too.

[Kaputnik]

Is the cost difference between Antares and Atlas public knowledge?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Just come back from a talk given by Dr. Matt Tetlow on the QB50 SUSat cubesat flying in OA-7. He says the launch is on 15 March 2017.

[Comga]

"Orbital ATK said that the OA-7 Cygnus mission, previously planned to launch on an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia, will instead launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the spring of 2017. The company said this is a one-time arrangement, with future Cygnus launches returning to the Antares."

http://spacenews.com/orbital-to-launch-next-cygnus-mission-on-atlas-5/

Puzzling.  Antares inaugural data review?  Something else?   

 - Ed Kyle

Likely payload capacity.

300 kg
It's all about an additional 300 kg.
That will be a pretty expensive bit of cargo.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I don't believe the change was about the 300 kg increase in cargo, that's only an increase of 9% over the 3500 kg Antares 230 payload. This would hardly make up for the extra cost of flying on Atlas V. I believe the real reason is if there had been a problem with OA-5 or SpaceX have additional delays with return to flight. Scheduling an Atlas V launch gives much greater assurance for NASA in case there is a problem with Antares or Falcon 9. The extra 300 kg is just a small bonus.

[baldusi]

I believe that there were not outstanding anomalies on Antares 230 debut. But Atlas V has a much higher confidence, and NASA needs that upload urgently. Also enables more CygnaeCygni this year.

[arachnitect]

"Orbital ATK said that the OA-7 Cygnus mission, previously planned to launch on an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia, will instead launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the spring of 2017. The company said this is a one-time arrangement, with future Cygnus launches returning to the Antares."

http://spacenews.com/orbital-to-launch-next-cygnus-mission-on-atlas-5/

Puzzling.  Antares inaugural data review?  Something else?   

 - Ed Kyle

Likely payload capacity.

300 kg
It's all about an additional 300 kg.
That will be a pretty expensive bit of cargo.

It could be cheaper per kg.

[Olaf]

QB50-ISS CubeSats ready to be launched
https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/news

[Skyrocket]

QB50-ISS CubeSats ready to be launched
https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/news

These are only 31 of the 40 originally announced to be deployed from the ISS. I wonder if the remaining nine will follow on a later launch or have dropped out or failed qualification?

[russianhalo117]

QB50-ISS CubeSats ready to be launched
https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/news

These are only 31 of the 40 originally announced to be deployed from the ISS. I wonder if the remaining nine will follow on a later launch or have dropped out or failed qualification?

I thought some were still scheduled to fly on SpX-10.

[AS_501]

Does the OA-7 manifest get shuffled again because of Progress MS-04/65?

[Steven Pietrobon]

These are only 31 of the 40 originally announced to be deployed from the ISS. I wonder if the remaining nine will follow on a later launch or have dropped out or failed qualification?

My understanding is that the nine cubesats that are not flying were simply not yet ready to launch. They couldn't make the deadline to be delivered to Belgium. Three cubesats couldn't make it to Belgium, but were ready enough to be delivered directly to the US.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here are the QB50 cubesats that are flying (in alphabetical order).

Aalto 2 (FI01)
ANUSAT 2 (IN01)
Aoxiang 1 (CN04)
BeEagleSat (TR01)
DUTH (GR01)
ExAlta 1 (CA03)
HAVELSAT (TR02)
Hoopoe (IL01)
i-INSPIRE 2 (AU03)
LilacSat 1 (CN02)
LINK (KR01)
NJUST 1 (CN03)
nSIGHT 1 (AZ02)
PHOENIX (TW01)
PolyITAN-2-SAU (UA01)
qbee50-LTU-OC (SE01)
QBITO (ES01)
QBUS 1 (Challenger, US01)
QBUS 2 (Atlantis, US02)
QBUS 3 (Discovery, US03)
QBUS 4 (Columbia, US04)
SamSat (RU01)
SNUSAT 1 (KR02)
SNUSAT 1b (KR03)
SOMP 2 (DE02)
SpaceCube (FR05)
SUSat (AU01)
UNSW-EC0 (AU02)
UPSat (GR02)
X-CubeSat (FR01)
ZA-AeroSat (AZ01)

[Rik ISS-fan]

At ISIlaunch 11 NRCSL 6U deploters were loaded. A 12th canister will be loaded at Nanoracks facilities.
For two deployment cycles I'm missing four 6U NRCSL (2x8=16 | 11+1=12).
If I'm not mistaken the NRCSL are packed in 24U units (4x 6U NRCSL or in the future 2x 12U or 12U + 2x 6U) and packaged inside a cargo bag. Could three bags launch on OA-7 and one bag launch on SpX-10?

Possibly other QB-50 satellites will launch on PSLV C37. ! Speculation !

[russianhalo117]

At ISIlaunch 11 NRCSL 6U deploters were loaded. A 12th canister will be loaded at Nanoracks facilities.
For two deployment cycles I'm missing four 6U NRCSL (2x8=16 | 11+1=12).
If I'm not mistaken the NRCSL are packed in 24U units (4x 6U NRCSL or in the future 2x 12U or 12U + 2x 6U) and packaged inside a cargo bag. Could three bags launch on OA-7 and one bag launch on SpX-10?

Possibly other QB-50 satellites will launch on PSLV C37. ! Speculation !

Both C37 and C38 flights already have its full flight rosters although not all have been public announced yet. These PSLV flights are currently open in 2017 for secondary payloads:
NET May - PSLV - 8 Skysat-C
December - PSLV - Cartosat-2E

[Olaf]

According to Gunter´s list http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2017.htm
these cubesats will also be launched on OA-7:
IceCube (Earth 1)
HARP
CSUNSat 1
CXBN 2
OPEN

[Skyrocket]

At ISIlaunch 11 NRCSL 6U deploters were loaded. A 12th canister will be loaded at Nanoracks facilities.
For two deployment cycles I'm missing four 6U NRCSL (2x8=16 | 11+1=12).
If I'm not mistaken the NRCSL are packed in 24U units (4x 6U NRCSL or in the future 2x 12U or 12U + 2x 6U) and packaged inside a cargo bag. Could three bags launch on OA-7 and one bag launch on SpX-10?

Possibly other QB-50 satellites will launch on PSLV C37. ! Speculation !

Both C37 and C38 flights already have its full flight rosters although not all have been public announced yet. These PSLV flights are currently open in 2017 for secondary payloads:
NET May - PSLV - 8 Skysat-C
December - PSLV - Cartosat-2E

I am pretty sure, that the PSLV - 8 Skysat-C launch does not exist.

[russianhalo117]

At ISIlaunch 11 NRCSL 6U deploters were loaded. A 12th canister will be loaded at Nanoracks facilities.
For two deployment cycles I'm missing four 6U NRCSL (2x8=16 | 11+1=12).
If I'm not mistaken the NRCSL are packed in 24U units (4x 6U NRCSL or in the future 2x 12U or 12U + 2x 6U) and packaged inside a cargo bag. Could three bags launch on OA-7 and one bag launch on SpX-10?

Possibly other QB-50 satellites will launch on PSLV C37. ! Speculation !

Both C37 and C38 flights already have its full flight rosters although not all have been public announced yet. These PSLV flights are currently open in 2017 for secondary payloads:
NET May - PSLV - 8 Skysat-C
December - PSLV - Cartosat-2E

I am pretty sure, that the PSLV - 8 Skysat-C launch does not exist.

then PM that to input~2

[jcm]

According to Gunter´s list http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2017.htm
these cubesats will also be launched on OA-7:
IceCube (Earth 1)
HARP
CSUNSat 1
CXBN 2
OPEN

This is 11U worth corresponding to another 2 6U deployers.

The 9 QB50 sats not flying total 20U.  At this late stage perhaps their space was reserved and they will just
be replaced by ballast. In the above manifest there is 10U free space in deployers D10, D11, D12. The remaining 10U and the 11U of these other sats correspond to the remaining 4 6U deployers unaccounted for - D8, D13, D14 and D15 -with 3U capacity unfilled, either with more ballast or one cubesat we haven't identified yet.

[Olaf]

http://satprnews.com/2016/12/19/altair-pathfinder-spacecraft-ships-to-commercial-launch-integrator-for-manifest-aboard-nasas-international-space-station-for-maiden-flight/

ALTAIR™ Pathfinder will be launched on an International Space Station (ISS) resupply mission, currently manifest in March 2017 from Cape Canaveral.

[Danderman]

https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/810962240136478721

This holiday season, our deliveries have one destination: @Space_Station Congrats @QB50Mission! #CubeSats are handed over for launch on #OA7

[FutureSpaceTourist]

The #OA7 PCM has arrived at @NASAKennedy! We are targeting a March 16 launch date for the OA-7 mission aboard a @ulalaunch #AtlasV rocket

https://twitter.com/orbitalatk/status/818612001937248258

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Mission patch

[Jim]

Mission patch

NASA Patch, Not OA's

[theonlyspace]

Any word of when OA  will make public their OA 7 Mission Patch ??

[Jim]

Still working on it

[ChrisGebhardt]

And this is now 19 March at 22:56-23:26 EDT.

[MattMason]

Any word to what former NASA/Orbital associate that OA-7 will be dedicated? In recent missions, they'd shown photos or released the name before sealing-up and shipping, but nothing's on their site.

Guess it'll be a surprise.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Any word to what former NASA/Orbital associate that OA-7 will be dedicated? In recent missions, they'd shown photos or released the name before sealing-up and shipping, but nothing's on their site.

Guess it'll be a surprise.

Not yet, no.  Though there are certainly (and very sadly) many to choose from.  My bet would be either Glenn or Cernan.

[ZachS09]

I really hope Neil Armstrong's namesake is chosen for OA-7.

Even though he passed away four and a half years ago, I've always hypothesized a certain Cygnus named "S.S. Neil Armstrong".

[ethan829]

Any word of when OA  will make public their OA 7 Mission Patch ??

I think I found it.

[theonlyspace]

Can we get a clear pic of this patch?

[Jim]

Can we get a clear pic of this patch?

In due time

[brickmack]

I think I found it.

Never noticed that the Cygnus grapple fixture has power/data connections. What's that for? Dragon, HTV, and (in concept art) DC-Cargo just use the standard mechanical-only fixtures

[Sam Ho]

I think I found it.

Never noticed that the Cygnus grapple fixture has power/data connections. What's that for? Dragon, HTV, and (in concept art) DC-Cargo just use the standard mechanical-only fixtures

HTV has both FRGF and PDGF.  There's a nice image of the HTV-EP PDGFs in the first post of the HTV-6 thread.

HTV6 EP media event was held.
New Li-ion battery ORUs were already installed on External Pallet (EP).

http://iss.jaxa.jp/topics/2016/06/htv6_160602.html

[SMS]

Can we get a clear pic of this patch?

[Fuji]

Here are the QB50 cubesats that are flying (in alphabetical order).

Aalto 2 (FI01)
ANUSAT 2 (IN01)
Aoxiang 1 (CN04)
BeEagleSat (TR01)
DUTH (GR01)
ExAlta 1 (CA03)
HAVELSAT (TR02)
Hoopoe (IL01)
i-INSPIRE 2 (AU03)
LilacSat 1 (CN02)
LINK (KR01)
NJUST 1 (CN03)
nSIGHT 1 (AZ02)
PHOENIX (TW01)
PolyITAN-2-SAU (UA01)
qbee50-LTU-OC (SE01)
QBITO (ES01)
QBUS 1 (Challenger, US01)
QBUS 2 (Atlantis, US02)
QBUS 3 (Discovery, US03)
QBUS 4 (Columbia, US04)
SamSat (RU01)
SNUSAT 1 (KR02)
SNUSAT 1b (KR03)
SOMP 2 (DE02)
SpaceCube (FR05)
SUSat (AU01)
UNSW-EC0 (AU02)
UPSat (GR02)
X-CubeSat (FR01)
ZA-AeroSat (AZ01)

List are updated on Jan.31, Total 28 CubeSats。
https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/community

[Fuji]

According to Gunter´s list http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2017.htm
these cubesats will also be launched on OA-7:
IceCube (Earth 1)
HARP
CSUNSat 1
CXBN 2
OPEN

HARP and OPEN will be launched  on SpX-12 (ELaNa 22).
https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches

​​ELaNa XVII
Mission:  OA-7 – Cygnus/Atlas V, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
3 CubeSat Missions scheduled to be deployed
    IceCube – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    CXBN-2 – Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky.
    CSUNSat-1 – California State University, Northridge, Calif.

[Skyrocket]

Here are the QB50 cubesats that are flying (in alphabetical order).

Aalto 2 (FI01)
ANUSAT 2 (IN01)
Aoxiang 1 (CN04)
BeEagleSat (TR01)
DUTH (GR01)
ExAlta 1 (CA03)
HAVELSAT (TR02)
Hoopoe (IL01)
i-INSPIRE 2 (AU03)
LilacSat 1 (CN02)
LINK (KR01)
NJUST 1 (CN03)
nSIGHT 1 (AZ02)
PHOENIX (TW01)
PolyITAN-2-SAU (UA01)
qbee50-LTU-OC (SE01)
QBITO (ES01)
QBUS 1 (Challenger, US01)
QBUS 2 (Atlantis, US02)
QBUS 3 (Discovery, US03)
QBUS 4 (Columbia, US04)
SamSat (RU01)
SNUSAT 1 (KR02)
SNUSAT 1b (KR03)
SOMP 2 (DE02)
SpaceCube (FR05)
SUSat (AU01)
UNSW-EC0 (AU02)
UPSat (GR02)
X-CubeSat (FR01)
ZA-AeroSat (AZ01)

List are updated on Jan.31, Total 28 CubeSats。
https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/community

Any info on the status of SamSat (RU01), ANUSAT 2 (IN01) and QBUS 3 (Discovery, US03), which according to QB50 were to be integrated into a single deployer directly by NanoRacks (https://qb50.eu/index.php/news )

The QB50 list does not mention them anymore - did they not make it on the launch?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Heard today that the Biarri-Point 3U cubesat is flying on OA-7. This is a joint USAF/DSTG mission where DSTG (Defence Science Technology Group) is providing the GPS receiver payload. DSTG has a large research centre here in Adelaide. This will be their first involvement with a satellite (that we know of) since the launch of WRESAT in 1967! Also heard that Centaur will be deploying four cubesats after Cygnus separation. I don't know which cubesats though.

[K-P]

Aalto 2 will be the first Finnish satellite in orbit, by the way.

(actually, it could be only the second to be deployed if Aalto 1, which was transferred from Falcon 9 to PSLV lifts off before QB50 deployment from ISS...)

Anyway, Finland still lags far behind of its beloved neighbour, Sweden, which had its first satellite (a sort of a cubesat also...) back in 1966. You know... Gemini X and Mike Collins' EVA... Hasselblad-camera... 

[Olaf]

http://spacenews360.com/united-launch-alliance-atlas-v-cygnus-oa-7/

What is on the Cygnus Cargo Module?

The Cygnus Cargo Module will be packed with more than 7,500 pounds of cargo and supplies for the astronauts on the International Space Station. Along with the cargo and supplies, the module will carry 38 cubesats or micro-satellites by NanoRacks of Texas, new habitat to grow plants on the ISS and the Spacecraft Fire Experiment-III (SAFFIRE-III).
Along with the SAFFIRE-III, the Cygnus will also carry the Reentry Data Collection (RED-Data-2) flight recorder to provide crucial data about the extreme conditions a spacecraft encounters during atmospheric reentry. The RED-Data-2 flight recorder was built by Terminal Velocity Aerospace.
Out of 38 cubesats, 28 will be used for the QB50 mission, which will study the lower thermosphere. Four of the cubesats will launch directly from the Cygnus during flight towards the ISS, while the remaining will be launched from the space station.

[Olaf]

Sorry for writing again, according to Gunter´s website http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2017.htm
this Cygnus is called "SS John Glenn".

Here is the original https://twitter.com/OrbitalATK/status/839900673546289156

We are excited to announce that our #OA7 #Cygnus is named after John Glenn, an inspiration to all & a true pioneer of space exploration

[Steven Pietrobon]

Out of 38 cubesats, 28 will be used for the QB50 mission, which will study the lower thermosphere. Four of the cubesats will launch directly from the Cygnus during flight towards the ISS, while the remaining will be launched from the space station.

Well, I heard half right about the four cubesats! :-)

[virnin]

I have to wonder if they picked this particular Cygnus for the honor because it is flying on an Atlas, just like Glenn's first ride into space.

[catdlr]

Cygnus OA-7 In The Cleanroom Media Event At KSC

Published on Mar 11, 2017
Cygnus OA-7 In The Cleanroom Media Event At KSC

Credit: Matthew Travis / Zero-G News

[Sam Ho]

OA's statement on the launch date:

Mission Update - March 15, 2017

NASA, Orbital ATK and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are now targeting the launch of Orbital ATK’s seventh commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station at 9:00 p.m. EDT Friday, March 24. An option exists to move the launch earlier to March 23, if the Eastern Range becomes available. The additional time allows the ULA team to replace and retest a first stage hydraulic component. Orbital ATK has contracted with ULA for its Atlas V rocket for the launch service, which will lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft is packed with 7,600 pounds of supplies and research for crew aboard the orbiting laboratory.

http://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/feature-stories/OA7-Mission-Page/default.aspx?prid=180

[ChrisGebhardt]

Does anyone know when the "if the Eastern Range becomes available on the 23rd" option will be known for certain?  I.e. At what point can we safely assume the 23rd is out and the 24th is when they'll proceed toward?

[rockets4life97]

Does anyone know when the "if the Eastern Range becomes available on the 23rd" option will be known for certain?  I.e. At what point can we safely assume the 23rd is out and the 24th is when they'll proceed toward?

Chris has said that it should be known by the end of the day tomorrow. It looks like SpaceX has the range on the 23rd for a static fire for the SES-10 launch. LC-39A might not be ready in time in which case the static fire would be pushed to after this launch and ULA would get the range.

[Olaf]

http://www.iss-casis.org/NewsEvents/OnStation/tabid/113/ArticleID/253/ArtMID/570/US-National-Laboratory-Research-Payloads-Prepped-and-Ready-for-Orbital-ATK-CRS-7-Launch-to-the-Space-Station.aspx
This document mentioned the following CubeSats on OA-7:
- ALTAIR™ Pathfinder
- CXBN-2
- CSUNSat 1
- IceCube
- Lemur (number not mentioned, could be 6)
- 28 QB-50 sats

[SWGlassPit]

Now indefinitely delayed.

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/03/22/atlasv-rocket-launch-cygnus-oa7-international-space-station-delayed-cape-canaveral-air-force-station/99507876/

[mme]

@ulalaunch 2:41 PM - 3 Apr 2017

Launch fans: Mark your calendars: #AtlasV #OA7 is now scheduled for Tuesday, Apr 18.

[virnin]

Confirmed by NASA

https://blogs.nasa.gov/orbital/?linkId=36154058

NASA, Orbital ATK and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are now targeting April 18 for the launch of Orbital ATK’s seventh contracted commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. ULA has developed a plan to resolve an earlier booster hydraulic issue, and is moving forward with launch vehicle processing. Both the Atlas V rocket and Cygnus spacecraft remain secure. Several tons of cargo including crew supplies and science experiments packed aboard Cygnus remain in good shape.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Orbital ATK is proud and honored to name the OA-7 Cygnus cargo delivery spacecraft after former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn

See attached.

[gongora]

We somehow ended up with two threads for this mission.  Let's use the thread in the ULA section to cover the launch, and the thread in the O/ATK section for payload/on-orbit discussion.

[Olaf]

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/04/12/cygnus-freighter-to-make-science-enabling-delivery-to-the-space-station/

There are 38 cubesats being launched aboard this Cygnus, 34 that will be transferred over to the space station for eventual deployments from the Japanese Kibo module’s airlock and four that are mounted externally to the cargo ship. After Cygnus departs the station in July, it will climb to a higher altitude, around 310 miles, and eject them into space.
The six other cubesats going to the station include four from NASA, one from the Defense Department and one commercial. They include a mission to measure the cosmic X-ray background, one to test a new light-weight, longer-life battery system designed for the cold temperatures of space and another to measure ice particles within clouds.
The four riding in the Cygnus external deployer are LEMUR-2 cubesats for meteorology and ship tracking.

So it will be four Lemur 2.
One NASA cubesat is missing, the DOD cubesat could be Biarre-Point.

[Steven Pietrobon]

One NASA cubesat is missing, the DOD cubesat could be Biarre-Point.

Its spelt Biarri-Point. Biarri is an Aboriginal word that means to hunt or to track. It was mentioned at the South Australian Space Forum last year that Biarri would be flying to the ISS on a resupply mission early this year.

[Skyrocket]

Still no info on the fourth NASA CubeSat?

(The other three NASA Cubesats are CXBN-2, CSUNSAT-1 and IceCube)

[Skyrocket]

I have an update for the Cubesat complement:

* Biarri-Point was not on board
* The NASA satellite is SGSat (KySat 3)
* also on board is SHARC

So the complete Cubesat list is:


SUSat (QB50 AU01)
UNSW-EC0 (QB50 AU02)
i-INSPIRE 2 (QB50 AU03)
ZA-AeroSat (QB50 AZ01)
nSIGHT 1 (QB50 AZ02)
Ex-Alta 1 (QB50 CA03)
LilacSat 1 (QB50 CN02)
NJUST 1 (QB50 CN03)
Aoxiang 1 (QB50 CN04)
SOMP 2 (QB50 DE02)
QBITO (QB50 ES01)
Aalto 2 (QB50 FI01)
X-CubeSat (QB50 FR01)
SpaceCube (QB50 FR05)
DUTHSat (QB50 GR01)
UPSat (QB50 GR02)
Hoopoe (QB50 IL01)
LINK (QB50 KR01)
SNUSAT 1 (QB50 KR02)
SNUSAT 1b (QB50 KR03)
qbee50-LTU-OC (QB50 SE01)
BeEagleSat (QB50 TR01)
HAVELSAT (QB50 TR02)
Phoenix (QB50 TW01)
PolyITAN-2-SAU (QB50 UA01)
QBUS 1 (Challenger, QB50 US01)
QBUS 2 (Atlantis, QB50 US02)
QBUS 4 (Columbia, QB50 US04)
IceCube (Earth 1)
CSUNSat 1
CXBN 2
KySat 3 (SGSat)
ALTAIR 1
SHARC
Lemur-2 30 (Lemur-2 JennyBarna)
Lemur-2 31 (Lemur-2 Angela)
Lemur-2 32 (Lemur-2 SpiroVision)
Lemur-2 33 (Lemur-2 RobMoore)

[Steven Pietrobon]

Thanks Gunter. Looks like the person I heard about Biarri-Point was wrong. It was mentioned at last years South Australian Space Forum that Biarri-Point would be flying early this year on a mission to ISS. Perhaps it will fly on SpX-11.

[Skyrocket]

Hmm, it gets a little but confusing.
Nanoracks Cubesat list contains the 38 cubesats posted above.
But the Australian government also acknowledges the launch of Biarri-Point https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/news/2017/04/20/biarri-satellite-heads-space

So there are now 39 (or more) Cubesats?

Addendum: I should read more carefully. The Nanoracks list of 38 cubesats says: "Our satellites on board include:" - which hints to more than 38 cubesats.

[Olaf]

https://twitter.com/spacechelle/status/853985798236114945

There are 38 @NanoRacks cubesats (from various investigators) being carried on #Cygnus for deployment from #ISS

https://twitter.com/spacechelle/status/853989800327729152

34 of these will be deployed from the Kibo airlock & 4 will be deployed from the @OrbitalATK #Cygnus after it departs #ISS
Michelle hat

[spacester]

Are the details of the rendezvous trajectories publicly available?

I'm looking for as much math detail as I can get.

(I hope this is the correct thread.)

[TrevorMonty]

Cygnus is turning out to be a very useful spacecraft, being expendable has it's advantages some times.

NASA Saffire experiments are still on going, 4, 5 and 6 are in pipeline.

http://spirit.as.utexas.edu/~fiso/telecon/Ruff_11-15-17/

I don't think 6 will be end of it, they really need to fit Cygnus out with firefighting systems and set a larger section of it on fire to demonstrate a real event.
Cygnus should be able to provide all micro gravity information they need, will then need to repeat on moon for partial gravity.