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#200 by vaporcobra on 23 Feb, 2022 00:19
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#201 by Targeteer on 25 Feb, 2022 02:32
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https://www.nasa.gov/feature/learn-what-made-the-ng-17-space-station-cargo-resupply-launch-special-for-this-nasa-engineer
Feb 23, 2022
Learn What Made the NG-17 Space Station Cargo Resupply Launch Special for this NASA Engineer and her Father
"There aren’t many things that Dad hasn’t done at NASA. To be able to share doing something he has never done before is a precious gift for me. And who doesn’t enjoy a good rocket launch?!”—Amy Ross, currently serving as assistant chief engineer for the International Space Station Program."
While Amy Ross has worked for NASA for 26 years, she’s been part of the NASA family well-before ever being officially hired. Growing up and around the space program, her father Jerry Ross is a seven-time space shuttle astronaut and mother, Karen, served as a manager for food and product support for the Space Shuttle Program as well as food processing for the International Space Station.
Portrait of Amy Ross, lead advanced spacesuit pressure garment engineer and current assistant chief engineer for the International Space Station Program, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Portrait of Amy Ross, lead advanced spacesuit pressure garment engineer and current assistant chief engineer for the International Space Station Program, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Amy works at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and an additional master’s in space studies from the University of North Dakota. While she’s currently on a job rotation serving as assistant chief engineer for the International Space Station Program, her usual title is “Lead Advanced Spacesuit Pressure Garment Engineer.”
From Oct. 1, 1996 – Jan. 20, 2012, Amy and her father Jerry both worked for NASA at the same time. During this time Amy helped design new spacesuit gloves. The first pair was worn by her father, Jerry, on the first International Space Station assembly flight, STS-88, in December 1998. Amy has said, that her dad would joke saying that she dressed him and her mom fed him.
As a full-time engineer at Johnson, she is currently serving as the International Space Station (ISS) Assistant Chief Engineer. In this role, she helps to make sure the space station program receives the engineering support they need, specifically including support for Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station, such as the NG-17 launch. “I support the weekly meetings and special topic meetings in which the space station program and Northrop Grumman communicate regarding vehicle and mission status. I work to make sure the International Space Station Chief Engineer is aware of items that are being worked,” Amy explained.
Amy and her father, Jerry
Amy and her father, Jerry, with just under two-minutes until liftoff of Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft atop the company’s Antares rocket—which can be seen over Jerry’s left shoulder.
Amy and her father, Jerry, traveled to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia to watch the launch of Northrop Grumman’s 17th commercial resupply services mission, on Saturday, February 19. The mission launched more than 8,300 pounds of scientific research, crew supplies, and hardware to the space station to support its Expedition 66 crew.
What made this opportunity so special?
“There aren’t many things that Dad hasn’t done at NASA. He has been to all of the centers. He has been on the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC. He flew in a T-38 to get there. He’s been on board the space station. He’s been a CapCom. He’s lived in Germany for months working on the German Spacelab-2 as the payload commander. He’s been to Star City. Almost anything you can think of, Dad has done it. To be able to share doing something he has never done before is a precious gift for me. And who doesn’t enjoy a good rocket launch?!”
“I’m very grateful and excited to have this opportunity. Not everyone who does the work, who writes the documents, who makes this happen get to see the fruit of their effort in watching the hardware leave Earth and head into space. This was special!”
The Cygnus spacecraft, named the S.S. Piers Sellers in honor of the late NASA astronaut who spent nearly 35 days across three missions helping to construct the space station. “I knew and worked with Piers Sellers, as did Dad. It was special to watch the S.S. Piers Sellers fly!”
What was your path to NASA? It’s in your blood!
Seen here, in this photo taken underwater at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, is Amy Ross supporting a spacewalk hardware review.
Seen here, in this photo taken underwater at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, is Amy Ross supporting a spacewalk hardware review.
“I did grow up around and in the space program. Dad used to take us out into the desert to watch the Enterprise drop tests at Edwards Air Force Base. Dad’s enthusiasm for human spaceflight was clear. Mom began working within the shuttle food department when I was in junior high. I knew NASA engineers, went to the chili cookoff and mission parties, and my brother and I came on site and had fun with computer-based single system trainers on the weekends when dad went in to get some work done and to give mom some kid-free time.
When I was in high school and was trying to pick a college and major, I narrowed it down to three paths: Veterinarian, librarian, and NASA engineer. I was encouraged to explore the three options to help me make a decision.
“In the end, I chose to work at NASA because I was moved by the idea of serving the country through the advancement of peaceful space exploration that benefited us all…and it is cool!”
I did have the benefit of knowing about the Pathways Intern Program, aka the co-op program “back in the day.” I was able to meet with the intern coordinator so that I understood what I needed to do to for eligibility to apply for the program. I also chose a college that had a strong co-op program and with a relationship with NASA–Purdue University.”
Group shot with Kevin Groneman, wearing the MK III suit, Test Conductor Amy Ross and Test Director Joe Kosmo.
MK III spacesuit and extravehicular activity (EVA) robotic assistant vehicle interactive tests in Arizona. Group shot with Kevin Groneman, wearing the MK III suit, Test Conductor Amy Ross and Test Director Joe Kosmo.
What was it like growing up as an “astronaut kid?”
“People frequently ask me that. When a friend did in high school, I asked her what her dad did. He was a telephone repair technician. I asked her, what is it like to have a telephone repair technician as a father?
Her answer was, “He tells me to clean my room, to do my homework, and to not pester my brother.” I said, “Just like that, only I go to a launch every few years.” My Dad did a good job of keeping family central in his priorities. He mows our grass. I swept the sidewalks after. Pretty normal stuff.
“I had on my ‘Green for GO!’ for launch!”
Loaded with more than 8,300 pounds of research, crew supplies, and hardware, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus launched atop an Antares rocket at 11:40 a.m. CST Saturday, Feb. 19 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to the International Space Station.
Last Updated: Feb 23, 2022 -
#202 by Fmedici on 28 Feb, 2022 08:47
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It seems that there was a third cubesat flying with this mission: IHI-SAT from the japanese companies IHI Corporation and Space BD: https://space-bd.com/news/20220228.php
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#203 by Rondaz on 28 Feb, 2022 13:39
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Antares NG-17 on Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film..
https://twitter.com/SausseImages/status/1498176362342985729 -
#204 by Rondaz on 28 Feb, 2022 13:40
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The RAW vs the edit
Antares NG-17 on @ILFORDPhoto HP5
https://twitter.com/SausseImages/status/1498176745186471936 -
#205 by Rondaz on 07 Mar, 2022 16:11
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It is great to see @MoonGalleryEU in orbit aboard the #ISS. This #spaceart payload was one of the things that #Nanoracks integrated for the Cygnus #CRS17 #NG17 mission to the #SpaceStation in mid-February.
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1500839261335171073 -
#206 by Rondaz on 07 Mar, 2022 16:12
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If you look at the aft end of the Cygnus you will see the #Nanoracks E-NRCSD #cubesat deployer. It deploys payloads including NACHOS approx 30mi (48km) above #ISS after the Cygnus completes its mission & unberths..
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1500846652986478592 -
#207 by Rondaz on 07 Mar, 2022 16:12
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The #Nanoracks team during Cygnus payload integration of the E-NRCSD #cubesat deployer - before/after a protective cover was added. This deployer ejects payloads including NACHOS approx 30mi (48km) above #ISS after the Cygnus completes its mission and unberths from #spacestation..
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1500875162564059137 -
#208 by Comga on 15 Mar, 2022 19:02
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Simple question for anyone who has information on Cygnus ops:
Does the ISS need to be pitched down so that the reboost from Cygnus is along the orbital velocity vector?
(… and where was that information found?) -
#209 by deadman1204 on 15 Mar, 2022 20:05
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Simple question for anyone who has information on Cygnus ops:
Does the ISS need to be pitched down so that the reboost from Cygnus is along the orbital velocity vector?
(… and where was that information found?)
Unless cyngus is exactly in the center of balance, there will be thrusters needed to maintain the orientation. Same can be said for the progress. -
#210 by eeergo on 16 Mar, 2022 07:59
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Simple question for anyone who has information on Cygnus ops:
Does the ISS need to be pitched down so that the reboost from Cygnus is along the orbital velocity vector?
(… and where was that information found?)
I can't find the source right now, but I did read official confirmation that the Station's attitude would be adjusted as during Nauka's docking (i.e. -ZVV). -
#211 by whiztech on 20 Jun, 2022 16:11
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from mission control Houston at about 15:55 UTC..Quote
Cygnus reboost kicked off on time at 15:20, however 6 seconds in, we hit some pressure ratio limit and the burn was automatically aborted, so Cygnus prop systems has been cleaned up for the most part, and we're working to maneuver ISS back to ...
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#212 by deadman1204 on 21 Jun, 2022 15:00
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from mission control Houston at about 15:55 UTC..
QuoteCygnus reboost kicked off on time at 15:20, however 6 seconds in, we hit some pressure ratio limit and the burn was automatically aborted, so Cygnus prop systems has been cleaned up for the most part, and we're working to maneuver ISS back to ...
hmmm... NASA must be covering for them (super annoying how nasa carries water for everyone else). This morning I heard NASA say the reason for no boost was to give time to recalculate what to do after the debris avoidance maneuver. -
#213 by jacqmans on 27 Jun, 2022 13:40
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Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus™ Spacecraft Successfully Reboosts the International Space Station
June 27, 2022
DULLES, Va. – June 27, 2022 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Cygnus cargo spacecraft successfully boosted the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS). Docked to the ISS since February, Cygnus fired its main onboard engine to adjust the orbit of the station to the desired altitude to support upcoming operations. The station orbits approximately 250 miles above earth and requires a periodic reboost.
The successful operation incorporated lessons learned from an earlier reboost attempt that was suspended as a precautionary measure. Investigation by engineers showed that the observed parameters were as expected for the reboost and flight limits were adjusted for Saturday's successful attempt.
“This reboost of the ISS using Cygnus adds a critical capability to help maintain and support the space station,” said Steve Krein, vice president, civil and commercial space, tactical space systems, Northrop Grumman. “It also demonstrates the enormous capability Cygnus offers the ISS and future space exploration efforts.”
Reboost is the latest in a series of improvements Northrop Grumman has made to the spacecraft to meet customer needs since its first mission to the station in 2013. The company has increased the amount of cargo it can carry to the station with a larger cargo module, added lighter and more powerful solar arrays and fuel tanks, and upgraded many of its systems to make reboost possible.
To date, the Cygnus spacecraft has delivered more than 112,000 pounds of equipment and supplies to the astronaut crews aboard the ISS. The Cygnus vehicle launched in February will remain docked until later this month, when it will depart the station and conduct a satellite deployment before performing a safe, controlled reentry over the Pacific Ocean.
“Experience gained by the Cygnus program is also being applied to other Northrop Grumman human space programs,” Krein said. “Cygnus is the basis of the Habitation and Logistics Outpost, or HALO, the first module planned for NASA’s Lunar Gateway which will orbit the moon and serve as a staging point for exploration of the lunar surface and enable future exploration beyond the moon.”
Under a separate development program, the company is combining proven Cygnus flight systems with advanced crew-focused technology to design a safe, reliable and cost-effective Commercial Space Station for NASA and other commercial space customers after the ISS is retired.
https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grummans-cygnusTM-spacecraft-successfully-reboosts-the-international-space-station
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#214 by jacqmans on 27 Jun, 2022 15:39
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June 27, 2022
MEDIA ADVISORY M22-092
NASA to Cover Northrop Grumman Cygnus Departure from Space Station
Northrop Grumman’s uncrewed Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Tuesday, June 28, more than four months after delivering 8,300 pounds of supplies, scientific investigations, commercial products, hardware, and other cargo to the orbiting laboratory for NASA.
Live coverage of the spacecraft’s departure will begin at 5:45 a.m. EDT on the NASA Television media channel, the agency’s website, and the NASA app.
Flight controllers on the ground will send commands for the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach Cygnus from the Unity module’s nadir port, then maneuver the spacecraft into position for its release at 6:05 a.m. NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins will monitor Cygnus’ systems upon its departure from the space station.
Following a deorbit engine firing on Wednesday, June 29, Cygnus will begin a planned destructive re-entry, in which the spacecraft – filled with trash packed by the station crew – will safely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Cygnus arrived at the space station Feb. 21, following a launch on Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. It was the company’s 17th commercial resupply services mission to the space station for NASA. Northrop Grumman named the spacecraft after the late NASA astronaut and climate scientist Piers Sellers.
Learn more about Cygnus’ mission and the International Space Station at:
https://www.nasa.gov/station
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#215 by eeergo on 28 Jun, 2022 09:11
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#216 by centaurinasa on 28 Jun, 2022 10:22
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#217 by centaurinasa on 28 Jun, 2022 10:55
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GO-NO GO poll for release now, underway...
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#218 by centaurinasa on 28 Jun, 2022 10:56
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GO for release (and "no exercise constraint")
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#219 by centaurinasa on 28 Jun, 2022 10:59