Orbital

The Cygnus spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday morning, after travelling with more than 3,500kg of cargo.

In order to supply food, clothing, computer gear, spacewalk equipment, scientific experiments and other supplies to the crew members of ISS, Orbital ATK launched its enhanced Cygnus spacecraft to the ISS.

After getting delayed by three days due to poor weather and high winds, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket lifted the spacecraft on its 50-day mission.

The mission was Orbital’s fourth successful berthing with the ISS and the third under Nasa’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

Cygnus’s journey ended when the crew members stationed at the ISS grappled the spacecraft with the station’s robotic arm at a distance of around 30ft.

"This expanded cargo capability, along with Cygnus’ new UltraFlex™ solar array and fuel tank enhancements, allows us to deliver greater value to our Nasa customer."

Following its arrival, the crews in ISS will unload the cargo supplies from Cygnus.

The spacecraft will start its journey back to the Earth with around 2,300kg of disposable cargo for reentry over the Pacific Ocean.

Orbital ATK space systems group president Frank Culbertson said: "This mission featured the debut of our enhanced Cygnus, which allowed us to transport approximately 7,700lb, or 3,500kg, of essential supplies, equipment and scientific experiments to the astronauts on board the ISS.

"That represents a more than 50% increase in capacity over the previous Cygnus model.

"This expanded cargo capability, along with Cygnus’ new UltraFlex™ solar array and fuel tank enhancements, allows us to deliver greater value to our Nasa customer."

Nasa has contracted Orbital ATK to deliver around 28,000kg of cargo to the ISS over ten missions until 2018.

Since last year, Orbital has delivered more than 7t of supplies to the ISS and three more such missions are scheduled for next year. The next mission is scheduled in March.

Orbital expects to use its own Antares rocket in at least two ISS resupply missions by next year.

A failed attempt by Orbital’s own Antares rocket in October has suspended Nasa’s cargo resupply mission.

Image: Cygnus berthed at ISS. Photo: courtesy of Orbital ATK.