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Cygnus cargo ship is trying to reach space station with only 1 solar array deployed
space.com ^ | Mike Wall

Posted on 11/07/2022 1:31:38 PM PST by BenLurkin

Northop Grumman's robotic Cygnus cargo ship launched toward the ISS this morning (Nov. 7) from Virginia, packed with more than 4.1 tons (3.7 metric tons) of food and other supplies for the astronauts aboard the orbiting lab.

The launch went smoothly, but Cygnus encountered some trouble after separating from its Antares rocket ride: The freighter has managed to unfurl just one of its two solar arrays.

Mission team members are working to troubleshoot the glitch, but Cygnus may still be able to power its way to the space station for a scheduled Wednesday (Nov. 9) meetup even if a fix isn't found.

"Northrop Grumman has reported to NASA that Cygnus has sufficient power to rendezvous with the International Space Station on Wednesday, Nov. 9, to complete its primary mission, and NASA is assessing this and the configuration required for capture and berthing," NASA officials wrote in a brief update today.

Among the many science experiments flying on the cargo ship is a 3D printer known as the BioFabrication Facility(opens in new tab), which is designed to print organ-like tissues in microgravity, and a study that will assess how the space environment affects ovarian cells.

Cygnus is one of three robotic spacecraft that currently ferry cargo to the ISS, along with Russia's Progress vehicle and SpaceX's Dragon capsule.

Cygnus and Progress are expendable craft that burn up in Earth's atmosphere when their time in orbit is up. Dragon, by contrast, returns to Earth in one piece for future reuse.

(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: antares; cygnus; elonmusk; northopgrumman; spacex; starlink; tesla
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1 posted on 11/07/2022 1:31:38 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

oh the humanity!


2 posted on 11/07/2022 1:32:26 PM PST by robowombat
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To: BenLurkin

I wonder why they need two arrays for a couple day flight? I would think batteries would hold a charge for that long.

Oh well…it looks like it’s going to get there anyway.


3 posted on 11/07/2022 1:34:03 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: BenLurkin

Probably a Lexmark printer


4 posted on 11/07/2022 1:34:18 PM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
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To: AppyPappy

Probably a Lexmark printer

~~~

As long as it’s not a Canon Printer. It will load the space station’s operating system with 6 printer utility programs and 8 background processes.


5 posted on 11/07/2022 1:41:16 PM PST by z3n (Kakistocracy)
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To: Vermont Lt

From what the article mentioned about science experiments onboard, I would guess the the extra power is needed for those.


6 posted on 11/07/2022 1:41:43 PM PST by jimtorr
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To: BenLurkin

“...packed with more than 4.1 tons (3.7 metric tons) of food and other supplies”

Any Chef Boy-Ar-Dee?


7 posted on 11/07/2022 1:43:09 PM PST by decal (They won't stop, so they'll have to be stopped)
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To: z3n

Truth


8 posted on 11/07/2022 1:44:42 PM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
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To: decal

Only the ones in the styro bowls. Cans are too heavy.


9 posted on 11/07/2022 1:45:44 PM PST by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: AppyPappy

We got a utility here that built a massive ground array last year. It is all motorized to aim at the sun all day long. Too bad that ever time I drive by less than half of its aimed in a useful direction. Been that way at least six months. What a waste!
Good ole Tampa Electric, wasting rate payers $$$ since 1999.


10 posted on 11/07/2022 1:48:11 PM PST by George from New England
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To: BenLurkin
designed to print organ-like tissues in microgravity

Saw this in a movie once. It didnt end well...


11 posted on 11/07/2022 1:48:32 PM PST by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: jimtorr
From what the article mentioned about science experiments onboard, I would guess the the extra power is needed for those.

This is a cargo ship. The science experiments will happen on the SS.

12 posted on 11/07/2022 1:49:19 PM PST by BlackbirdSST (Trump WON!!! The Gestapo closes ranks.)
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To: Magnum44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OMibr8CqQ4

Spinning, whirling
Still descending
Like a spiral sea, unending

Sound and fury drowns my heart
Every nerve is torn apart...


13 posted on 11/07/2022 1:49:52 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Vermont Lt

in case one fails. like it just did.


14 posted on 11/07/2022 1:54:24 PM PST by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing obamacare is worse than obamacare its ? And the ambassador to Ukraineelf)
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To: BenLurkin

They shoulda put a windmill on it….


15 posted on 11/07/2022 1:55:46 PM PST by clintonh8r (Truth is hate speech to those who hate the truth.)
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To: BenLurkin
Image of a (properly functioning) Cygnus cargo ship with both solar arrays deployed -


16 posted on 11/07/2022 2:27:03 PM PST by GaltAdonis
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To: BlackbirdSST

Not all of them, some are actually done in the Cygnus.


17 posted on 11/07/2022 2:49:15 PM PST by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!you)
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To: markman46

Really? Interesting.


18 posted on 11/07/2022 4:10:00 PM PST by BlackbirdSST (Trump WON!!! The Gestapo closes ranks.)
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To: Vermont Lt

Batteries probably weigh considerably more than a couple solar arrays.


19 posted on 11/07/2022 4:27:43 PM PST by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative)
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To: BlackbirdSST

Ya it is, I didn’t know that was happening until I heard it stated at the launch broadcast. Guess the iss can use Cygnus as an extra lab space. I do know NG does do experiments after Cygnus un docks.


20 posted on 11/07/2022 7:19:55 PM PST by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!you)
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