SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Cygnus Cargo Ship to International Space Station
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, November 5th, 2023. The mission, delayed by a day due to weather, will deliver over four tons of supplies, spare parts, fresh food, and science experiments to the International Space Station (ISS).
Despite a 90% "no-go" forecast, weather conditions improved, allowing the launch to proceed. The Falcon 9, using a first stage making its tenth flight, lifted off at 11:02 a.m. EDT and quickly climbed away from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The first stage successfully landed back at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking SpaceX's 53rd Florida touchdown and 335th successful booster recovery. Meanwhile, the second stage continued its climb to orbit and released the Cygnus cargo ship 14-and-a-half minutes after liftoff.
This launch marks the second time SpaceX has carried a Northrop Grumman cargo ship to the ISS. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Northrop Grumman opted to replace its Antares 200-series rockets with SpaceX's Falcon 9 while developing a new all-American launcher.
The Cygnus, named in honor of Challenger commander Francis "Dick" Scobee, is expected to catch up with the space station early Tuesday, November 7th. The station's robotic arm will capture the spacecraft and berth it at an Earth-facing port on the central Unity module.
The cargo includes 2,251 pounds of crew supplies, 2,790 pounds of research gear, 3,439 pounds of station hardware, 95 pounds of spacewalk equipment, and 29 pounds of computer components, along with fresh fruit, vegetables, and coffee for the station crew.
The Cygnus also carries clothing and personal items for Starliner commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and co-pilot Sunita Williams, who are currently aboard the ISS. Their mission has been extended due to issues with the Starliner spacecraft, and their return date remains uncertain.
NASA and Boeing will meet this week to discuss options for the Starliner and the next long-duration station crew. The meeting will also address how Wilmore and Williams might be brought back to Earth if a return aboard the Starliner is ruled out.