Page 3 - Spec Tech Vol 1 Issue 08
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Cygnus cargo ship arrives at space station
with only one working solar panel
Image Credit: NASA
The private Cygnus cargo craft has arrived capture. The spacecraft is dubbed the SS
at the International Space Station early Sally Ride after astronaut Sally Ride, the
Wednesday morning (Nov. 9) despite one of first American woman in space, who died in
its solar panels failing to deploy after 2012.Mann quoted Ride's thoughts on the
launch. view from space after the capture. "We
certainly agree with her, back from [low
NASA astronaut Nicole Mann assisted by
fellow NASA crewmate Josh Cassada Earth orbit], the stars do not look bigger but
they certainly look brighter."
captured the uncrewed Cygnus
spacecraft full of supplies and scientific The Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus
experiments with the space station's robotic robotic freighter after the famous NASA
arm at 5:20 a.m. EST (1020 GMT) as the astronaut, launched toward the ISS on
two ships sailed high over the Indian Ocean. Nov. 7 from Virginia. Carrying a
The robotic arm will now move the capsule record-breaking 4.1 tons (3.7 metric tons) of
to the Unity module on the International scientific experiments and supplies, the
Space Station (ISS), where it will be berthed spacecraft experienced technical problems
to the module's Earth-facing port later in the shortly after launch.
day. The freighter managed to deploy just one of
"A huge congratulations to the NG-18 team its two solar panels after liftoff. Its handlers
for their tireless efforts in getting Sally Ride say it can make the journey to the ISS
to the ISS for a successful capture today," safely regardless, but mission teams kept
said Mann, who plucked the cargo ship from an eye out for any signs of trouble as it
space with the station's robotic arm, radioed approaches the orbiting lab.
to Mission Control after the successful
Space Explorer 2022 3
