Northrop Grumman is ready to launch the NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA. Launch is targeted for no earlier than 11:07 a.m. CST on Tuesday, January 30th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
NASA will provide prelaunch activities and launch coverage live on its website, NASA+, NASA TV, and the NASA YouTube channel beginning at 10:50 a.m.
This launch marks the 20th commercial resupply service mission for Northrop Grumman, delivering over 8,000 pounds of science experiments and tech demonstrations, crew supplies and gear, and lab equipment to the space station. Some of those experiments and demonstrations include a miniature surgical robot, efforts to manufacture artificial retinas in microgravity, and the cultivation of stem cells.
The spacecraft docks with the ISS at around 4:45 am CST on Thursday, February 1st. NASA Astronauts Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli will work together to capture Cygnus using Canadarm and then dock it to the Unity Module on the ISS. Coverage of docking activities will also be broadcasted live by NASA beginning at 1:45 am CST.
Northrop Grumman is launching their Cygnus spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the first of three contracted missions. Previously, Cygnus launched to the ISS on the Antares 230+ rocket, but an alternate launch vehicle is necessary as the company continues to develop the new Antares 330 launch vehicle.
In keeping with tradition, Northrop Grumman named the NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft S.S. Patricia “Patty” Hilliard Robertson in honor of NASA astronaut Robertson who, lost her life in a plane crash a year before her mission to the International Space Station.
NASA invites the public to attend the launch virtually. Register here to receive launch details, mission information, and a digital launch stamp to commemorate the launch.
