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NASA Announces Live Coverage of Northrop Grumman Cygnus Spacecraft Departure from International Space Station
NASA has announced that it will provide live coverage of the departure of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter from the International Space Station on Friday, April 21.
NASA has announced that it will provide live coverage of the departure of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus space freighter from the International Space Station on Friday, April 21. The uncrewed spacecraft will carry over 8,200 pounds of supplies, scientific investigations, commercial products, hardware, and other cargo for NASA. The agency will provide live coverage of Cygnus’ departure starting at 7 a.m. EDT on NASA Television, the NASA app, and on the agency’s website.
Credits: NASA
Flight controllers on the ground will send commands for the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach Cygnus from the Unity module’s Earth-facing port, then maneuver the spacecraft into position for its release at 7:20 a.m. UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi will monitor Cygnus’ systems during its departure from the space station.
Following the deorbit engine firing later in the evening, Cygnus will begin a planned destructive re-entry, in which the spacecraft – filled with trash packed by the station crew – will safely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. Cygnus arrived at the space station in November 2022, following a launch on Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. It was the company’s 18th commercial resupply services mission to the space station for NASA.
The departure of the Cygnus spacecraft marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to explore outer space. The mission highlights the importance of international cooperation in space research and exploration. The ability to send supplies, scientific investigations, and other cargo to the International Space Station is essential for maintaining the operations of the orbiting laboratory and advancing the frontiers of space exploration.
Northrop Grumman named the spacecraft after the late NASA astronaut, physicist, and first American woman in space, Sally Ride. The company’s commitment to honoring Sally Ride’s legacy and contribution to NASA’s space program is a testament to the importance of inspiring future generations of space explorers and scientists. As more companies and organizations continue to participate in space exploration, we can expect to see more exciting developments and groundbreaking discoveries in the years to come.
The agency will provide live coverage of Cygnus’ departure starting at 7 a.m. EDT on NASA Television, the NASA app, and on the agency’s website at:
