Month: December 2015

The launch of Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station has moved to Sunday at 4:44 p.m. EST, the start of a 30-minute launch window for the uncrewed spacecraft to begin it mission. Countdown and launch coverage will begin on NASA’s Launch Blog and on NASA TV at 3:45 p.m.

Saturday’s attempt was called off because of high winds that were expected to violate launch criteria throughout the 30-minute launch window. The weather forecast for Sunday improved to a 40 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.

For background information on the mission, visit https://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk. To join the online conversation about the Orbital ATK CRS-4 launch and the International Space Station on Twitter, follow @Space_Station and #Cygnus.

Launch managers have set Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5:10 p.m. EST for the next launch attempt of the fourth Orbital ATK commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. NASA Television coverage will begin at 4 p.m. Earlier this evening, the 30-minute launch window tomorrow had a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions.

The Cygnus is loaded with more than 7,000 pounds of supplies and science and research investigations that are important to advancing NASA’s exploration goals on the journey to Mars, demonstrating technologies that drive innovation, and providing benefits to Earth.

Follow NASA’s Launch Blog for frequent updates.

For background information on the mission, visit https://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk. To join the online conversation about the Orbital ATK CRS-4 launch and the International Space Station on Twitter, follow @Space_Station and #Cygnus.

Because of wind gusts that exceeded the weather criteria for launching, Orbital ATK and United Launch Alliance have postponed the planned launch of the Atlas V rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft. It is Orbital ATK’s fourth commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Mission managers will be evaluating when to make the next launch attempt.

Follow NASA’s Launch Blog for frequent updates.

For background information on the mission, visit https://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk. To join the online conversation about the Orbital ATK CRS-4 launch and the International Space Station on Twitter, follow @Space_Station and #Cygnus.

Countdown clocks at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are ticking down to the planned liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft on the company’s fourth commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Launch now is scheduled for 6:03 p.m. EST.

Follow NASA’s Launch Blog for frequent updates throughout the countdown.

For background information on the mission, visit https://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk. To join the online conversation about the Orbital ATK CRS-4 launch and the International Space Station on Twitter, follow @Space_Station and #Cygnus.

The countdown is progressing smoothly and cryogenic tanking is in progress. However, weather forecasters have downgraded the prediction for today’s 30-minute launch opportunity to a 30 percent chance of acceptable conditions as a result of increasing thick and cumulus clouds.

Photo credit: NASA TV

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is in place at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Sealed inside the payload fairing atop the rocket is the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft filled with science, crew supplies and equipment bound for the International Space Station.

Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Today’s NASA Social event from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will set the stage for tomorrow’s launch of the fourth cargo resupply mission by Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft. A series of speakers will detail different aspects of the mission along with the research and accomplishments of the International Space Station during presentations that will begin at 9 a.m. and run through 10:30 a.m. EST. Although the event will take place at Kennedy, it will also be aired on NASA TV’s Education channel, which you can watch at http://go.nasa.gov/1B8xmT9 or in the streaming window below.