Bad weather delays US space station shipment, 1st in months

The writing had been on the wall as soon as the weather briefing had been conducted however, with the weather officer stating that even the prediction of weather conditions providing only a 10 percent chance of favorable conditions for launch as being “optimistic”.

Tonight’s launch is scheduled for 5:55 p.m. Forecasters say there is a 40-percent chance that low clouds or storms could pose a problem. The launch window is 30 minutes.

Headed to the Space Station in this cargo run is a load of almost 3,500 kilograms of equipment, food, supplies and science experiments, which includes two important contributions from Canada, and an upgrade for one of our robotic denizens of the ISS. Although, this time the company orbital will be using rocket from another company United Launch Alliance to meet its contractual requirements with NASA.

The launch will mark the resumption of commercial shipments to the International Space Station from USA soil, following months of frustrating delay. The last successful US supply run was in April.

On October 28, 2014 the orbital ATK spacecraft meant for such resupply mission exploded on the Launch pad during take-off.

Vascular Echo: a University of Waterloo study which builds upon previous Canadian research that found some astronauts experience accelerated stiffening of their arteries while on board the ISS. The Orbital aims to deliver a total of 44,000 pounds worth of cargo to the International Space Stations as per the contract in 8 deliveries however, the explosion and resultant failiure of the resupply mission in 2014 might create difficulties to make 8 trips by the end of 2016.

The two companies have split a $3.6 billion NASA flight contract and are competing with Sierra Nevada Corp. for a new, $3.5 billion deal that is expected to be awarded in January.

The International Space Station is an artificial habitable satellite and now has a crew of 6 members. A new 30 minute launch window has been scheduled for 5:33 p.m. ET Friday.

Commercial space is inevitable, NASA’s Shireman stressed, failures and all.

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. Add in a lost Russian cargo ship in April, and the cupboards in orbit have suffered.

The Cygnus capsule is named after Mercury astronaut Deke Slayton, a commercial space pioneer.