Source: NASA
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft has been a vital component of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program, ensuring a steady flow of supplies, scientific experiments, and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2013. As one of two U.S. cargo vehicles routinely servicing the orbiting laboratory, Cygnus has played a crucial role in maintaining the ISS and enabling groundbreaking research in microgravity.
The Cygnus Spacecraft
Source: Northrop Grumman
The Cygnus spacecraft, developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman), consists of a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) and a Service Module (SM). The PCM, built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy, carries the cargo and is designed to be disposable, burning up upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. The SM, based on Northrop Grumman’s GEOStar satellite bus, provides power, propulsion, and guidance for the spacecraft.
Since its introduction, the Cygnus spacecraft has undergone several upgrades to enhance its capabilities. The original Standard Cygnus had a cargo capacity of approximately 2000 kg and a pressurized volume of 18.9 m³. Subsequent upgrades have increased the cargo capacity to 5000 kg and the pressurized volume to 36 m³. These upgrades allowed Cygnus to transport more supplies and experiments to the ISS, further supporting the station’s scientific endeavors.
One of the unique features of the Cygnus spacecraft is its ability to perform secondary missions after departing from the ISS. These missions have included deploying CubeSats, conducting spacecraft fire safety experiments (Saffire), and demonstrating the ability to boost the ISS’s orbit using its thrusters. This versatility has made Cygnus an invaluable asset for both cargo delivery and scientific research.
Launch Vehicles
Cygnus spacecraft have been launched primarily by Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Antares rocket, also developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, is a two-stage launch vehicle designed specifically for the Cygnus spacecraft.
The Antares rocket has undergone its own evolution since the beginning of the CRS program. The original Antares 110 configuration used a liquid-fueled first stage powered by two AJ26 engines, which were modified versions of the Soviet-era NK-33 engines. However, following the Orb-3 launch failure in October 2014, Northrop Grumman decided to upgrade the Antares rocket to the Antares 230 configuration, which features a first stage powered by two Russian-built RD-181 engines.
In addition to launches on the Antares rocket, Cygnus spacecraft have also been launched on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This has provided Northrop Grumman with flexibility in their launch options and has allowed them to continue servicing the ISS even during periods when the Antares rocket was unavailable.
A Decade of Scientific Payloads and Discoveries
Over the past decade, the Cygnus spacecraft has delivered a wide array of scientific payloads and experiments to the ISS, contributing to groundbreaking research in various fields. These investigations have ranged from studies on human health and physiology to materials science, technology demonstrations, and Earth observation.
One notable project that flew on Cygnus was the Infinite, a virtual reality experience created by Felix and Paul Studios. This project used special virtual reality cameras to capture life on the ISS, allowing viewers on Earth to experience what it is like to float in space like an astronaut. The footage was captured during a spacewalk by JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA’s Thomas Pesquet.
Cygnus has also supported numerous student-designed experiments through programs like Genes in Space™. In one such investigation, Kristoff Misquitta studied whether spaceflight-induced changes in liver function could impact the effectiveness of medications. The results from this experiment could help improve our understanding of how spaceflight affects drug metabolism, potentially aiding in the development of more effective treatments for astronauts on long-duration missions.
Another important payload delivered by Cygnus was the AstroRad vest, a wearable radiation protection garment developed by StemRad and Lockheed Martin. Multiple crew members, including NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, have tested prototypes of the AstroRad vest on the ISS to assess its comfort and wearability. A second prototype vest was also flown on NASA’s Artemis-1 mission in 2023, demonstrating its potential for protecting astronauts during future deep space missions.
In the realm of computing, Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Spaceborne Computer-2 was delivered to the ISS by a Cygnus spacecraft. This advanced computing system is designed to operate in the harsh environment of space, enabling faster data processing and analysis for scientific experiments conducted on the orbiting laboratory.
Cygnus missions have also supported educational outreach initiatives, such as Story Time From Space, a Space Station Explorers partner program. This project sends children’s books to the ISS, where crew members record videos of themselves reading the stories, which are then made available to students and educators on Earth. The program aims to promote literacy and STEM education while inspiring the next generation of space explorers.
These examples represent just a small sample of the diverse range of scientific payloads and experiments that have been delivered to the ISS by the Cygnus spacecraft over the past decade. As Northrop Grumman continues to support the CRS program, Cygnus will undoubtedly transport many more innovative investigations to the orbiting laboratory, furthering our understanding of the universe and the effects of spaceflight on human health and technology.
Cygnus Mission Timeline
The Cygnus spacecraft has had a remarkable journey since its first demonstration mission in 2013. Here is a detailed timeline of the Cygnus missions to date:
September 18, 2013: The first Cygnus spacecraft, named the G. David Low after a former Orbital Sciences executive and NASA astronaut, launched on a demonstration mission to the ISS.
January 9, 2014: The first operational Cygnus mission, Orb-1, launched to the ISS carrying 2,780 pounds of supplies.
July 13, 2014: Orb-2 mission launched, delivering 3,293 pounds of cargo to the ISS.
October 28, 2014: Orb-3 mission failed shortly after launch due to an Antares rocket malfunction.
December 6, 2015: OA-4 mission launched on an Atlas V rocket, marking the return to flight for Cygnus after the Orb-3 failure.
March 22, 2016: OA-6 mission launched on an Atlas V, delivering 7,485 pounds of cargo to the ISS.
October 17, 2016: OA-5 mission launched on the upgraded Antares 230 rocket, carrying 5,163 pounds of cargo.
April 18, 2017: OA-7 mission launched on an Atlas V, delivering 7,626 pounds of cargo.
November 12, 2017: OA-8 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 7,359 pounds of cargo.
May 21, 2018: OA-9 mission launched on an Antares 230, delivering 7,385 pounds of cargo.
November 17, 2018: NG-10 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 7,386 pounds of cargo.
April 17, 2019: NG-11 mission launched on an Antares 230, delivering 7,575 pounds of cargo.
November 2, 2019: NG-12 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 8,168 pounds of cargo.
February 15, 2020: NG-13 mission launched on an Antares 230, delivering 7,445 pounds of cargo.
October 2, 2020: NG-14 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 7,829 pounds of cargo.
February 20, 2021: NG-15 mission launched on an Antares 230, delivering over 8,000 pounds of cargo.
August 10, 2021: NG-16 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 8,200 pounds of cargo.
February 19, 2022: NG-17 mission launched on an Antares 230, delivering 8,300 pounds of cargo.
November 7, 2022: NG-18 mission launched on an Antares 230, carrying 8,265 pounds of cargo.
January 30, 2024: NG-20 mission launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, delivering over 8,200 pounds of cargo.
This impressive track record demonstrates the reliability and capability of the Cygnus spacecraft in supporting the ISS and advancing space exploration.
Cygnus and the Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV)
Source: Northrop Grumman
As Northrop Grumman looks to the future of the Cygnus program, the company is collaborating with Firefly Aerospace to develop a new Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV) that will eventually replace the Antares rocket. The MLV is designed to provide increased performance and flexibility for Cygnus missions and other commercial and government payloads.
The MLV will utilize a first stage powered by seven Miranda engines, developed by Firefly Aerospace, which use liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene propellants. This configuration is expected to provide a significant increase in payload capacity compared to the current Antares 230+ rocket. The second stage of the MLV will feature a single Vira engine, also developed by Firefly.
The MLV is being designed to be compatible with the existing Cygnus spacecraft, allowing for a smooth transition from the Antares rocket. The increased payload capacity of the MLV will enable Cygnus to transport even more cargo and scientific experiments to the ISS, further supporting the station’s research activities and the needs of the crew.
In addition to launching Cygnus spacecraft, the MLV is intended to serve a wide range of customers, including commercial satellite operators, government agencies, and international partners. The vehicle’s 5-meter payload fairing will accommodate a variety of payloads, and its ability to launch from multiple sites, including Wallops Island, Virginia, will provide flexibility for mission planners.
The development of the MLV is well underway, with the first launch expected in 2025. As the Cygnus program continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges and opportunities, the MLV will play a crucial role in ensuring the spacecraft’s ongoing success and expanding its capabilities to support the future of space exploration.
Future of Cygnus
As the ISS enters its final decade of operation, Northrop Grumman is looking to the future of the Cygnus spacecraft. The company is developing new capabilities for Cygnus, such as a larger cargo capacity and the ability to support free-flying missions independent of the ISS.
One potential application for future Cygnus spacecraft is as a platform for commercial space stations. Northrop Grumman has proposed using a modified version of Cygnus as a building block for their own commercial space station concept, known as the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). HALO would leverage the proven technology of the Cygnus spacecraft to create a modular, expandable space station that could support a variety of commercial and scientific activities in low Earth orbit.
Another area of interest for Northrop Grumman is the use of Cygnus for deep space exploration missions. The company has studied the possibility of using Cygnus-derived spacecraft as logistics vehicles for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars. A modified Cygnus could potentially serve as a cargo vehicle for the Lunar Gateway, a planned space station in lunar orbit that will support Artemis missions.
Summary
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft has been a reliable and versatile workhorse for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program, playing a vital role in supporting the International Space Station and advancing scientific research in microgravity. Over the past decade, Cygnus has delivered a wide array of scientific payloads and experiments to the ISS, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements.
As the company looks to the future, the Cygnus spacecraft is poised to continue its evolution, adapting to new challenges and opportunities in the rapidly changing landscape of space exploration. With its proven track record and innovative design, the Cygnus spacecraft is well-positioned to support the next generation of commercial space stations and deep space exploration missions.
As Northrop Grumman continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with the Cygnus platform, it is clear that this remarkable spacecraft will continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of human spaceflight. The ongoing success of the Cygnus program is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Northrop Grumman team and their commitment to advancing space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
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