It’s proving hard for the Cygnus spacecraft to get off the ground for its return-to-flight! After getting rained out Thursday
This is the first mission for the Cygnus spacecraft since the previous one was destroyed in October 2014 by an Antares rocket explosion. Orbital ATK’s Enhanced Cygnus is redesigned with more room for cargo. 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. The rocket has the power and flexibility for a 30-minute launch window
After getting rained out or windblown the previous attempts, the weather report leading up to the window is a reassuring 70% chance of being good enough for launch. As of the start of coverage, a few cumulus clouds are in the area with scattered showers, but windspeeds have dropped dramatically compared to the morning. The launch team has also switched to manual wind gust monitoring with human judgement instead of an automatic cutoff switch. While it might seem odd a massive rocket launch could be cancelled by a stiff breeze, the concern is that a strong enough gust of wind could cause the spacecraft to drift into the support scaffolding, causing an explosion.
The new spacecraft configuration has 25% more cargo volume, and a more efficient service module allowing it to carry a heavier payload. If it succeeds, this will be the fourth Orbital ATK mission (OA4) of approximately 10 as part of their commercial resupply services contract to deliver 28,700 kilograms (63,272 pounds) to the International Space Station.
If the launch succeeds, the rocket will deliver Cygnus into orbit within 21 minutes, or less than the average time for a pizza delivery. Once on its own, the space swan will spread its new, Ultraflex solar arrays and upgraded power systems to arrive at the station on December 9th. At the station, astronauts will unload 3,349.0 kilograms (7,383.3 pounds) of cargo before reloading the spacecraft with garbage for a destructive reentry
Launch schematic for OA-4 from launch to interception with the International Space Station. Image credit: Orbital ATK
If the spacecraft launches today, it’ll rendezvous with the space station on December 9th. If the launch is scrubbed again, it’s time for the mission planners to get very creative. One possibility is that instead of boosting Cygnus straight to the International Space Station, the Atlas V will use its flexibility to deliver the spacecraft into an orbit where it can loiter in space for several weeks. Due to an annual sun-angle blackout
It has been far too long since we saw the Canadarm2 reach out to grapple a Cygnus spacecraft. Image credit: NASA
While we’d rather the launch was late and safe than now but exploded all over the landscape, it can be awfully hard to be patient during these countdowns!
Update: SUCCESS!!!!
Top image: Atlas V rocket with Cygnus on board awaiting launch. Credit: NASA
Contact the author at mika.mckinnon@io9.com or follow her at @MikaMcKinnon.