Cygnus spacecraft

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The Cygnus spacecraft is an American unmanned resupply spacecraft being constructed by Orbital Sciences Corporation as part of NASA's COTS project. It is designed to resupply the International Space Station after the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010, a role currently filled by Russian Progress spacecraft and the European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Its development was announced on 19 February 2008.^[1]

The Cygnus spacecraft is designed to carry a variety of pressurized and unpressurized cargo modules including a shortened version of the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and a variant of NASA's ExPRESS Logistics Carrier. The ISS's Canadarm 2 will grapple the spacecraft and attach it to a Common Berthing Mechanism.^[2]

It is expected to make its first demonstration flight in late 2010. It will be launched by a Taurus II rocket.

[edit] References

1. ^ NASASpaceflight.com - Orbital beat a dozen competitors to win NASA COTS contract
2. ^ AviationWeek.com - Orbital Sciences To Build Taurus II

v • d • e Unmanned resupply spacecraft Historic TKS Current Automated Transfer Vehicle • Progress In development Andrews Cargo Module • ARCTUS • Cygnus • Dragon • H-II Transfer Vehicle Cancelled Kistler K-1