Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus cargo spacecraft lifted off at 7:19 a.m. EST and is on its way to the International Space Station. About an hour and half after launch, commands will be given to deploy the spacecraft’s solar arrays.
Launch coverage will continue on NASA TV at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv until shortly after spacecraft separation and then resume for solar array deployment, which is expected to last about 30 minutes.
A post-launch news conference will follow and is scheduled to begin on NASA TV at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The cargo mission to the International Space Station is carrying about 7,400 pounds of supplies and payloads, including critical materials to directly support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations that will occur during the space station’s Expeditions 53 and 54.
Congratulations NASA, Wallops, Mars, Orbital and every single person who worked tirelessly to make this happen!!! Including the Coast Guard who helped ensure those boaters this morning stayed out of the restricted area.