Weather Still 95% Favorable for Northrop Grumman’s CRS-12 Launch Nov. 2

A rocket with cloudy skies in the background from the perspective of a boat on the ocean
The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is seen in the early morning on launch Pad-0A, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The latest weather forecast stands at 95% favorable for the launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. At this time, the only weather concern being tracked is a very slight chance of cloud ceilings for a launch attempt on Saturday morning.

Northrop Grumman’s 12th contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station will deliver approximately 8,200 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 9:59 a.m. EDT on Nov. 2.

Follow launch activities at the launch blog and @NASA_Wallops and learn more about space station activities by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Weather 95% Favorable for Northrop Grumman’s CRS-12 Launch Nov. 2

NASA commercial cargo provider Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its next resupply mission to the International Space Station. Following a launch readiness review meeting, the teams are “go” for launch at 9:59 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Nov. 2.

The latest weather forecast stands at 95% favorable for the launch of the company’s Antares rocket from pad 0A at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. At this time, the only weather concern being tracked is a very slight chance of cloud ceilings for a launch attempt on Saturday morning.

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is seen a few hours after arriving at launch Pad-0A, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s 12th contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 8,200 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Follow launch activities at the launch blog and @NASA_Wallops and learn more about space station activities by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

Viewing Map for NG-12 Antares Launch

Parts of the Eastern United States may see Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket launch from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, scheduled for 9:59 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Nov. 2. This map indicates when (in seconds) and where to look up in the sky after liftoff:

Viewing map for NG-12 cargo mission launch.

Outside the predicted visibility area? NASA TV coverage of the launch begins at 9:30 a.m.

Antares Rocket for Northrop Grumman CRS-12 Rolls to Launch Pad

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 9:59 a.m. EDT Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.  NASA TV coverage of the launch on Nov. 2 begins at 9:30 a.m.

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is seen in the early morning on launch Pad-0A, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Loaded with about 8,200 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 12th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

The team rolled the Antares rocket out to Pad-0A at Wallops on Oct. 29. Images of rollout and the rocket at the pad.

Next Northrop Grumman Cygnus Launch NET November 2

Northrop Grumman’s 12th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission to deliver cargo to the International Space Station is now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 2, 2019. The Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus cargo spacecraft will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

This NET date is reflective of the expected departure of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) HTV-8 cargo vehicle in October, as well as other station activities.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, is seen on Pad-0A, Nov. 14, 2018 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s next contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station, CRS-12, is currently scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 2, 2019. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

News Conference, Launch Blog Coverage Conclude

The post-launch news conference for Northrop Grumman’s 11th NASA-contracted commercial resupply  mission has concluded.

From left to right: Briefing moderator Stephanie Schierholz, Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters; Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program at NASA; Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman; and Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman. Credit: NASA

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman launched its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station at 4:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 17. Liftoff was from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the state’s Eastern Shore.

Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Chris Perry

The Cygnus will arrive at the International Space Station Friday morning carrying about 7,600 pounds of research investigations and equipment, cargo and supplies that will support some of the hundreds of investigations aboard the orbiting laboratory. The Cygnus spacecraft will be attached to the bottom of the station’s Unity module, where it will remain for about three months.

File photo of a Cygnus cargo spacecraft with UltraFlex solar arrays deployed. This Cygnus was photographed as it departed the International Space Station Dec. 5, 2017, during Expedition 53. Credit: NASA

Among the science investigations: testing gels in microgravity as models for growing increasingly complex materials, a new tool to conduct life sciences research with just a few drops of blood, exploring Vascular Aging and the effects of weightlessness on the blood vessels and heart, examining the effects of spaceflight on the function of antibody production, and immune memory, demonstrating the first two of three Astrobee robots, and a technology that tests a method to remove carbon dioxide from air aboard the orbiting outpost.

Post-launch press release from NASA
Mission photography from NASA Headquarters’ Flickr

Post-Launch News Conference for Northrop Grumman CRS-11

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft lifted off aboard an Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore  at 4:46 p.m. EDT April 17. NASA Television has resumed live coverage for a post-launch press conference.

Participants:

Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program
Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman
Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman

Cygnus Solar Arrays Deployed

Flight controllers have confirmed that the Cygnus spacecraft’s solar arrays have deployed and are providing power.

File photo of a Cygnus cargo spacecraft with UltraFlex solar arrays deployed. This Cygnus was photographed as it departed the International Space Station Dec. 5, 2017, during Expedition 53. Credit: NASA

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft lifted off on the company’s Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore at 4:46 p.m. EDT April 17, 2019.

It will arrive at the International Space Station Friday morning carrying about 7,600 pounds of research investigations and equipment, cargo and supplies that will support some of the hundreds of investigations aboard the orbiting laboratory. The Cygnus spacecraft will be attached to the bottom of the station’s Unity module, where it will remain for about three months.

A postlaunch press conference will take place at 8:15 p.m. on NASA Television and at nasa.gov/live.

Participants:

Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program
Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman
Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman

Among the science investigations: testing gels in microgravity as models for growing increasingly complex materials, a new tool to conduct life sciences research with just a few drops of blood, exploring Vascular Aging and the effects of weightlessness on the blood vessels and heart, examining the effects of spaceflight on the function of antibody production, and immune memory, demonstrating the first two of three Astrobee robots, and a technology that tests a method to remove carbon dioxide from air aboard the orbiting outpost.

Learn more about space station activities by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

NASA TV Coverage Resumes for Cygnus Solar Array Deployment

NASA Television has resumed live coverage for deployment of the Cygnus solar arrays. Northrop Grumman’s cargo spacecraft lifted off on an Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility at 4:46 p.m. EDT April 17.

It will arrive at the International Space Station Friday morning carrying about 7,600 pounds of research investigations and equipment, cargo and supplies that will support some of the hundreds of investigations aboard the orbiting laboratory. The Cygnus spacecraft will be attached to the bottom of the station’s Unity module, where it will remain for about three months.

Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Chris Perry

A postlaunch press conference will take place at 8:15 p.m. on NASA Television and at nasa.gov/live.

Participants:

Joel Montalbano, deputy manager, International Space Station Program
Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman
Kurt Eberly, Antares vice president at Northrop Grumman

Among the science investigations: testing gels in microgravity as models for growing increasingly complex materials, a new tool to conduct life sciences research with just a few drops of blood, exploring Vascular Aging and the effects of weightlessness on the blood vessels and heart, examining the effects of spaceflight on the function of antibody production, and immune memory, demonstrating the first two of three Astrobee robots, and a technology that tests a method to remove carbon dioxide from air aboard the orbiting outpost.

Learn more about space station activities by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on Twitter as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts.

April 17 Antares Launch Video, Photos

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman launched its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 4:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 17.

Loaded with 7,600 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 11th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission. Antares lifted off from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the state’s Eastern Shore.


Video credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Terry Zaperach

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft on board, launches from Pad-0A, Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s 11th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,600 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft on board, is seen in this long exposure photograph as it launches from Pad-0A. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Allison Stancil
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Allison Stancil
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Jamie Adkins
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Jamie Adkins
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Jamie Adkins
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Allison Stancil
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Chris Perry
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility/Chris Perry

Additional images from NASA Headquarters’ Flickr.