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.

Liftoff!

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

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, 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)

Watch the Antares Launch Live Online

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch its Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station during a five-minute window opening at 4:46 p.m. EDT today, April 17.

NASA commentary for the launch will begin at 4:15 p.m. EDT.

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft on board, is seen just after sunrise on 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)

Loaded with 7,600 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 11th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

Launch viewing map for the Northrop Grumman CRS-11 launch. Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

Depending on local conditions, the launch may be visible throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Local and regional viewing opportunities for the launch are detailed on NASA’s website.

 

April 17: Launch Day

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

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, is seen just after sunrise on 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)

Loaded with 7,600 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 11th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

Mission engineers load the final cargo into the Cygnus resupply spacecraft on board the Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at launch Pad-0A. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Launch viewing map for the NG-11 launch. Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

More images are available from NASA Headquarters’ Flickr.

The launch, as well as briefings preceding and following liftoff, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website beginning at 4:15 p.m. EDT April 17.

Local and regional viewing opportunities for the launch are detailed on NASA’s website.

Latest Launch Forecast: 95% Favorable Weather

Weather stands at 95% favorable for the April 17 launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, according to the latest range forecast. At this time, cloud ceilings and ground winds are the primary weather concerns for a launch attempt on Wednesday afternoon.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus resupply spacecraft is seen during sunrise on Pad-0A, Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s 11th contracted cargo resupply mission with 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)

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman is scheduled to launch 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. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, on the state’s Eastern Shore.

High pressure will continue to provide pleasant conditions today to the Delmarva before moving offshore this evening and overnight. Another area of high pressure dips south into the northeast states tonight into Wednesday, forcing a cold front south over the northern Eastern Shore tomorrow morning, then eventually the Wallops area. Once the front moves through, winds will shift to an east-northeasterly direction and increase with wind gusts in the upper teens while advecting scattered low-level cloudiness across the range. Upper level cloudiness will also be increasing during the afternoon as a weak upper-level disturbance approaches the
Eastern Shore.

Daybreak at the Launch Pad

NASA’s commercial partner Northrop Grumman raised its Antares rocket into vertical position the evening of April 15.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus resupply spacecraft is seen during sunrise on Pad-0A, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Northrop Grumman’s 11th contracted cargo resupply mission with 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 Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station is scheduled for launch 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. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

Latest Weather Forecast for April 17 Antares Launch: 90% Favorable

The latest weather forecast stands at 90% favorable for the April 17 launch of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. At this time, cloud ceilings, ground winds and thick clouds are the weather concerns for a launch attempt on Wednesday afternoon.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is seen as it rolls out to Pad-0A, Monday, April 15, 2019, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s 11th contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,500 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

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

Loaded with 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 11th commercial resupply NASA-contracted mission. It will launch from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

High pressure builds into the region overnight through tomorrow, allowing winds to subside later this evening. Tranquil and seasonable conditions prevail tomorrow with the high located just to our south. Another area of high pressure dips south into the northeast states Tuesday night into Wednesday, forcing a cold front south over the Delmarva Wednesday morning, then eventually the Wallops area.

 

Antares Rocket for Northrop Grumman CRS-11 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 4:46 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 17.

Loaded with 7,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, this is Northrop Grumman’s 11th 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 from the Horizontal Integration Facility at Wallops the morning of April 15.

Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Launch viewing map for the NG-11 launch. Credit: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

More images are available from NASA Headquarters’ Flickr.

The launch, as well as briefings preceding and following liftoff, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website beginning at 4:15 p.m. EDT April 17.

Local and regional viewing opportunities for the launch are detailed on NASA’s website.

Next Northrop Grumman Cygnus Launch Set for April 17

Launch of Antares rocket at night
The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, launches from Pad-0A, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman’s 10th contracted cargo resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,400 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Media accreditation is open for the launch of Northrop Grumman’s next delivery of NASA science investigations, supplies and equipment to the International Space Station on April 17.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft is targeted to launch on the company’s Antares rocket at 4:46 p.m. EDT from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island in Virginia.

On this mission, Northrop Grumman will use a new late load capability. Previously, all cargo had to be loaded about four days prior to launch. This new capability will allow time-sensitive science experiments to be loaded into Cygnus just 24 hours before liftoff.