Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo craft set for rendezvous with space station

Image courtesy: NASA

Washington: Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) to deliver supplies and equipments to astronauts aboard the orbiting lab.

The Cygnus cargo craft is set to make its rendezvous with the space station today (Wednesday), December 9, where it will be captured and berthed to the Unity module around 6:10 a.m. EST/11:10 a.m. UTC.

It is the first of two Christmas space deliveries to the space station. The next holiday shipment will be delivered December 23 aboard Russia’s Progress 62 resupply ship.

The Cygnus spacecraft is carrying some 7,300 pounds (3,300 kilograms) of supplies, including science experiments that will occur during Expeditions 45 and 46.

The mission is Orbital ATK's fourth cargo delivery flight to the station through NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.