Launch News Orbital's Antares Maiden Flight & ORB-D "G. David Low" Cygnus Demo updates.

[Ripley]

http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/

Earlier today, Cygnus successfully completed its 4th "Delta V" orbit-raising burn as the spacecraft continues to chase the International Space Station in preparation for its rendezvous and berthing on Sunday, September 22. All systems on the Cygnus spacecraft continue to operate very well and the mission is proceeding just as planned. Tomorrow is a relatively quiet operational day for Cygnus before the tempo of demonstrations and approach burns begins to pick up early Sunday morning when final approach to the ISS begins.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Hmm....finally some problems to report: today's rendezvous and berthing attempt has been aborted due to problems with Cygnus' differential GPS system that determines its relative position with the ISS. Well it's not a demo flight without some problems cropping up.... :shrug:

 

[boogabooga]

Computer mishap delays space station supply ship

http://news.yahoo.com/computer-mishap-delays-space-station-supply-ship-104229165.html

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Hmm....finally some problems to report: today's rendezvous and berthing attempt has been aborted due to problems with Cygnus' differential GPS system that determines its relative position with the ISS. Well it's not a demo flight without some problems cropping up.... :shrug:

Berthing now NET Saturday (Sept. 28) - looks like Orbital and SpaceX are chasing for the prime spot again. :rofl: This also means the next ISS crew will be able to greet the swan when it arrives at the ISS (report on that launch coming soon!).

Meanwhile the GPS problem turns out to be rather interesting - see this article for a detailed explanation.

 

[Kyle]

Let's hope SpaceX can get their act together for a Sunday launch, this weekend might be quite exciting for commercial spaceflight.

 

[Urwumpe]

Antares Cygnus Cargo Resupply (201309180009HQ) von NASA HQ PHOTO auf Flickr

Wow... what a effect

 

[Kyle]

Another delay, now aiming for a Sunday, September 29th RNDZ and berthing. That'll mean, barring no delays with the Falcon 9, we'll see two very important milestones for commercial spaceflight within a few hours.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Another delay, now aiming for a Sunday, September 29th RNDZ and berthing. That'll mean, barring no delays with the Falcon 9, we'll see two very important milestones for commercial spaceflight within a few hours.

...and the Proton RTF a few hours after them. :shifty: This also means I might miss both of them, because I would be in Disneyland of all places on Earth at that time (well I say might, since I can use the 3G network for watching videos if the speed is fast enough).... :facepalm:

 

[orb]

NASA:
MEDIA ADVISORY M13-157
Updated Cygnus Rendezvous Date, NASA TV Coverage for Orbital Sciences' Demonstration Mission to International Space Station

Sept 27, 2013

NASA and its International Space Station partners have approved a Sunday, Sept. 29, target arrival of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft on its demonstration cargo resupply mission to the space station.

NASA Television coverage of the rendezvous will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT and will continue through the capture and installation of the Cygnus spacecraft. For the latest schedule for spacecraft capture and installation, as well as the post-berthing news conference, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/19M65lk​

{...}



Cygnus Rendezvous and Capture Programming Schedule

The full schedule of the Cygnus rendezvous, grapple and berthing activities includes (all times are Eastern):

Sunday, September 29:

• 4:30 a.m. [08:30 UTC] - Cygnus rendezvous, grapple and berthing coverage begins on NASA Television.
  
  
• 7:15 a.m. [11:15 UTC] - Grapple of Cygnus by International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm
  
  
• 9:15 a.m. [13:15 UTC] - Cygnus berthing to Earth-facing port of Harmony node begins
  
  
• ~11:20 a.m. [~15:20 UTC] - Cygnus berthing complete (2nd stage capture)
  
  
• 1 p.m. [17:00 UTC] - Cygnus Post-Capture News Conference

 

[Kyle]

Cady Coleman ‏@Astro_Cady 39m
Woo Hoo! @OrbitalSciences #Cygnus is another big step closer to the #ISS! Just 200km away! Capture is Sunday at 0715 EST. Stay tuned!

 

[orb]

Cygnus mission coverage has just started at NASA TV.


NASASpaceflight: Orbital’s Cygnus making second attempt to berth with ISS

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

NASA TV coverage starts now!

 

[RGClark]

Cygnus mission coverage has just started at NASA TV.


NASASpaceflight: Orbital’s Cygnus making second attempt to berth with ISS

Watching now.

Bob Clark

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Capture confirmed 5 minutes ago! (and I was waiting to ride on the Space Mountain at Disneyland Hong Kong when it happened. )

 

[Kyle]

Congratulations to OSC!

 

[RGClark]

Congrats to Orbital.


Bob Clark

 

[orb]

NASAtelevision:

SpaceVidsNet:

NASA:

• RELEASE 13-292 - NASA Partner Orbital Sciences Completes First Flight to Space Station as Astronauts Capture Cygnus Spacecraft
  
  
• RELEASE 13-302 - Statements on Berthing of Orbital Cygnus Spacecraft to the International Space Station

Florida Today: Orbital Sciences' Cygnus berths at ISS

collectSPACE: Commercial Cygnus spacecraft makes first arrival at space station

Aviation Week - On Space: Orbital Sciences' Cygnus Successfully Berthed With the International Space Station

CBS News Space: Cygnus cargo ship completes rendezvous, station capture

NewSpace: Cygnus captured by the ISS

SPACE.com:

• Private Cygnus Spacecraft Makes Historic 1st Rendezvous with Space Station
  
  
• Photos: Orbital Sciences' 1st Cygnus Spacecraft Flight to Space Station

Discovery News: Orbital's Cygnus Capsule Reaches Space Station

AmericaSpace: A Beautiful Swan Came Calling: Orbital's Cygnus Cargo Ship Arrives at Space Station

 

[Kyle]

Via Karen Nyberg

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: Cygnus performing well at the ISS ahead of unberthing:

Orbital’s ORB-D Cygnus is into the final leg of its debut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), ready to pave the way the ORB-1 Cygnus – set to launch on December 15. The new kid on the block has enjoyed a trouble-free stay on the ISS, with the only issue relating to a cabin fan problem.

{...}

Space News: Cygnus Mission Set to Wrap Up Oct. 23; Shutdown Nonissue for Virginia Spaceport

 

[orb]

Orbital Sciences: Updated Cygnus Reentry Timeline:

October 11, 2013

Orbital's Cygnus team has updated its thruster burn schedule for the spacecraft's controlled reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Following its unberthing and departure from the ISS on October 22 at approximately 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively, Cygnus is now expected to reenter the atmosphere on October 23rd at approximately 2:18 p.m. (eastern) over the Pacific Ocean east of New Zealand.