Following a successful launch of NASA’s 21st Northrop Grumman commercial resupply mission, new scientific experiments and cargo are on their way to the International Space Station (ISS).
This mission is a critical component of NASA's ongoing efforts to maintain and expand the capabilities of the ISS, supporting a wide range of scientific research that benefits humanity and prepares for future space exploration.
Launch Details
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft, carrying more than 8,200 pounds of supplies to the orbiting laboratory, lifted off at 11:02 a.m. EDT on Sunday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Shortly after launch, the spacecraft encountered a minor issue, missing its first burn due to a late entry to burn sequencing.
Known as the targeted altitude burn (TB1), it was rescheduled but aborted shortly after the engine ignited due to a slightly low initial pressure state. Despite this, there is no indication of a problem with the engine, and the Cygnus spacecraft remains at a safe altitude, having completed the deployment of its two solar arrays at 2:21 p.m.
Mission Objectives and Scientific Payloads
The resupply mission will support dozens of research experiments conducted during Expedition 71. These investigations span a variety of scientific fields and include:
- Liquid and Gas Flow Testing: Test articles to evaluate liquid and gas flow through porous media found in space station life support systems.
- STEMonstration on Centripetal Force: A balloon, penny, and hexnut will be used for a new STEMonstration to explain centripetal force.
- DNA Repair Mechanisms: Microorganisms known as rotifers will be studied to examine the effects of spaceflight on DNA repair mechanisms.
- Bioreactor for Stem Cell Production: A bioreactor designed to demonstrate the production of high-quality blood and immune stem cells.
These experiments represent just a sample of the hundreds of investigations conducted aboard the ISS in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science. Such research benefits humanity and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through NASA’s Artemis campaign, which aims to send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for expeditions to Mars.
Arrival and Installation Schedule
If all remains on track, live coverage of the spacecraft’s arrival will begin at 1:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 6, on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick will capture Cygnus using the station’s robotic arm at approximately 3:10 a.m., with NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps serving as backup. The installation of Cygnus is scheduled to begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT.
The mission marks Northrop Grumman’s 21st mission to the ISS for NASA and the 10th under its Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract. Cygnus will remain attached to the ISS until January 2025 before departing and disposing of several thousand pounds of trash through re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up harmlessly. The spacecraft is named the S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee in honor of the former NASA astronaut.
Broader Impacts and Future Missions
The experiments and supplies delivered by Cygnus will play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and technology development. The ongoing research aboard the ISS helps address fundamental questions about human health, materials science, and the universe itself. The data gathered from these experiments not only contribute to scientific progress but also have practical applications on Earth, ranging from medical advancements to new materials and technologies.
Furthermore, the success of commercial resupply missions like this one is vital for the sustainability of the ISS and future space exploration missions. These missions ensure that astronauts have the necessary resources to conduct experiments and maintain the space station, enabling continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
The 21st Northrop Grumman mission to the ISS underscores the importance of commercial partnerships in advancing space exploration. As new scientific experiments and essential supplies make their way to the space station, researchers and engineers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, paving the way for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.