The Antares rocket set to launch a Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow has been raised to the vertical position at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The launch is currently scheduled to lift off at 20:46 UTC (16:46 local time).
Once deployed into orbit by the Antares rocket’s upper stage, the Cygnus spacecraft is expected to rendezvous with the ISS approximately a day-and-a-half later. Once the spacecraft is within distance, NASA astronaut Anne McClain will capture it with the Canadarm2 robotic arm and install it to the Unity module’s Earth-facing docking port. Canadian Space Agency astronaut, David Saint-Jacques will act as McClain’s backup during the procedure.
The CRS-11 Cygnus cargo mission will deliver 3,450 kilograms (7,600 pounds) of crew supplies, vehicle hardware, and equipment for science and research to be conducted aboard the station. The mission will be the 11th ISS resupply launched by US defence and aerospace giant Northrop Grumman.
The launch, rendezvous and docking of the CRS-11 Cygnus cargo spacecraft will be broadcast live on NASA TV.
