Orbital Sciences launched their Cygnus space “capsule” on their Antares booster yesterday. it’s heading towards the ISS, carrying cargo:
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Cygnus is not a re-entry capsule like the SpaceX Dragon but is instead an expendable cargo stage, providing all the maneuver and docking capabilities needed to take stuff to ISS. A Pressurized Cargo Module is attached to a Service Module which provides propulsion and electrical power via solar panels. After transferring cargo to the station, it’ll be loaded with trash, separated and then dumped into the atmosphere to burn up. One wonders, though, whether these might possibly be able to serve as elements in a cheapo space station.
This is the second launch for Antares, a LOX/Kerosene booster similar to but smaller than the SpaceX Falcon 9. Both launches have been out of Wallops. The earlier launch carried a mass simulator of the Cygnus, not the Cygnus itself.
Many good photos of Cygnus and Antares HERE.
