This is the first time a Cygnus is launching on an United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, and the first time it’s launching out of Cape Canaveral in Florida.
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This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter diameter payload fairing.
An Orbital rocket exploded on a supply run in October 2014, while SpaceX suffered a launch failure in June. Meanwhile, Orbital bought two Atlas rocket rides from ULA to resume work under its $1.9 billion NASA contract. The rocket sored safely through clouds, as the space station sped over the Atlantic, north Bermuda.
Just after 6 p.m., engineers confirmed that the cylindrical spacecraft’s two solar arrays had unfurled like Japanese fans, ensuring they could generate the power needed to complete the mission.
“So we’re looking forward to having those supplies being replenished” by Orbital ATK’s latest cargo resupply mission, he said. And in a separate event earlier this year SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying an uncrewed Dragon capsule disintegrated above Florida, putting those cargo flights on hold as well.
Orbital ATK also intends to launch its fifth resupply mission atop an Atlas V from Cape Canaveral. “So giving those guys food and T-shirts is near and dear to my heart”, said Dan Tani, Orbital ATK’s senior director for mission and cargo operations. “That’s pretty darn close”, said Frank Culbertson, former space shuttle and station astronaut and now Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group president.
Also aboard the newest Cygnus capsule: clothes, toiletries, spacewalking gear, air-supply tanks and science experiments.
On Sunday, private spaceflight company Orbital ATK returned its Cygnus cargo ship to flight with a superb afternoon launch after a year’s gap.
To NASA’s relief, the weather cooperated after three days of high wind and cloudy skies that kept the Atlas V rocket firmly on the ground.
There have been three failed attempts since Thursday last week and after launch windows delayed on Thursday and Friday, launch directors and managers have only been anticipating a 20 percent chance of good weather conditions and chose to stop the countdown three hours before the countdown on Saturday before fueling the Atlas V rocket of United Launch Alliance.
If successful, this would be the first USA shipment to the space station since spring. The cargo ship is loaded with 7,300 pounds (3,300 kilograms) of food, science experiments, and other supplies.
When the Cygnus arrives at the International Space Station on Sunday, crew members Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren will use the station’s Canadian-built robotic arm to pull the module in for unloading.
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The launch drew more attention than normal for station resupply missions because of several recent failures.
