Technicians working at launch pad 0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia performed the last loading of cargo into Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus provide ship leisurely Tuesday, and the Antares rocket was as soon as raised vertical again in preparation for Wednesday’s countdown.
Consultants eliminated the top of the Antares rocket’s payload camouflage and opened the forward hatch to the Cygnus spacecraft Tuesday night to load time-soft cargo into the provision ship. This mission is the critical time Northrop Grumman has introduced the brand new capacity to set up instruments into the cargo craft’s pressurized module no longer up to 24 hours sooner than liftoff.
The objects loaded Tuesday night incorporated a habitat with 40 mice heading to the International House Converse to again researchers witness how microgravity affects the animals’ immune system.
With the work entire, ground crews closed the hatch and positioned the top of the payload fairing help on the rocket, then raised Antares vertical early Wednesday morning.
Liftoff of the 139-foot-vast (42.5-meter) Antares rocket is determined for 4: 46: 07 p.m. EDT (2046: 07 GMT).
Glimpse our Mission Converse Middle for updates on the countdown and launch.
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Notice Stephen Clark on Twitter: @StephenClark1.
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