The First Cygnus Spacecraft Is Now Safely Docked At The International Space Station
Sep 30, 2013 20:41
Built by private aerospace group Orbital Sciences Corp., this Cygnus spacecraft is the first to dock at the International Space Station.
The spacecraft which was carrying 1,300 pounds of supplies was supposed to dock earlier, but the attempt was delayed by NASA and Orbital due to a problem with data formatting. The astronauts aboard the ISS finally managed to nab the 17-foot-long silver cylinder using the station's robotic arm.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden had this to say about the incident:
Today, with the successful berthing of the Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo module to the ISS, we have expanded America's capability for reliably transporting cargo to low-Earth orbit . . . As commercial partners demonstrate their new systems for reaching the Station, we at NASA continue to focus on the technologies to reach an asteroid and Mars.
Cygnet is expected to stay docked until October 22 before being released to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. So if you see something shiny falling from the sky, you'll know what's up.[NASA, Space.com Image Credit: NASA TV]
