The private Cygnus cargo ship has arrived at the International Space Station in the early hours of the morning (November 9) although one of its solar panels failed to deploy after launch.
NASA astronaut Nicole Mann, assisted by NASA crewmate Josh Cassada, captured the unmanned Cygnus spacecraft full of supplies and science experiments with the space station’s robotic arm at 5:20 a.m. EST (1020 GMT). The robotic arm will now transfer the capsule to the Unity module of the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be docked in the module’s Earth-facing port later today.
“A huge congratulations to the NG-18 team for their tireless efforts to bring Sally Ride to the ISS for a successful capture today,” said Mann, who lifted the cargo ship out of space with the robotic arm of the station, radioed Mission Control after the successful capture. The spacecraft is named SS Sally Ride after astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, who died in 2012. Mann cited Ride’s thoughts on the view from space after capture. “We certainly agree with her, again [low Earth orbit]the stars don’t look bigger, but they certainly look brighter.”
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The Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-18 cargo ship approaches the International Space Station with only one solar panel deployed (the failed one on the right) on November 9, 2022. (Image credit: NASA TV) The Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-18 payload spacecraft approaches the International Space Station with only one solar panel deployed (the failed one is on the left) on November 9, 2022. (Image credit: NASA TV) The Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-18 cargo ship approaches the International Space Station with only one solar panel deployed (the failed one is at left) on November 9, 2022. (Credit to (image: NASA TV)
The Cygnus robotic cargo ship, built by Northrop Grumman after the famous NASA astronaut, launched to the ISS on Monday (November 7) from Virginia. Carrying a record 4.1 tons (3.7 metric tons) of science experiments and supplies, the spacecraft experienced technical problems shortly after launch.
The cargo ship managed to deploy only one of its two solar panels after liftoff. Its officials say it can safely make the trip to the ISS regardless, but mission teams were on the lookout for any signs of trouble as it neared the orbiting lab.
“Northrop Grumman is working closely with NASA to monitor and evaluate the spacecraft ahead of tomorrow’s planned arrival, capture and installation at the space station,” NASA officials said in an update (s opens in a new tab) on Tuesday evening (November 8). “Mission teams are also planning additional inspections of the cargo spacecraft during approach and after capture.”
Front view of Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus NG-18 cargo ship as it approaches the International Space Station with only one solar panel deployed on November 9, 2022. (Image credit: NASA TV)
These days, three robotic spacecraft carry cargo to the ISS: Cygnus, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, and Russia’s Progress vehicle.
Cygnus and Progress burn up in Earth’s atmosphere after completing their delivery missions, but Dragon returns for safe ocean splashdowns and future reuse.
Mike Wall is the author of “Over there (opens in new tab)” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall (opens in a new tab). Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in a new tab) or Facebook (opens in a new tab).