Category Archives: Space Systems

Space Models, Space Systems

Cygnus cargo spacecraft modeled in LEGO

The Orbital Sciences Cygnus module berthed successfully to the International Space Station yesterday. Orbital thus becomes the second commercial firm after SpaceX to provide cargo delivery services to the station.

Check out the  LEGO Cygnus model made by Stephen Pakbaz, a LEGO scratch model builder extraordinaire: Lego Cygnus! Designed and Created by Stephen Spakbaz – ROMKids.

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I’ve pointed before to Stephen’s models of other spacecraft such as the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover at LEGO CUUSOO.

Events, Rockets, Space Systems

SpaceX launches upgraded Falcon 9 v.1.1 rocket

A big Sunday for NewSpace . Here is a video of the successful launch of the SpaceX upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 with new engines, 16 m longer stages, new fairing, etc.

Events, Multiple media, Space Systems

Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo module captured with ISS robotic arm

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Congratulations to Orbital Sciences and NASA on the successful capture of the Cygnus module by the robotic arm under the control of US astronaut Karen Nyberg and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano.

The module will be slowly brought up to the Harmony module for berthing around 9:00 am EDT.

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[ Update Sept.30.13: Here is a NASA video of highlights of the capture and berthing:

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It’s a busy day for NewSpace. At noon today, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 for the first time.

NewSpace Watch, for which I am the managing editor, reports daily on exciting developments in commercial spaceflight like the Cygnus mission and Falcon 9 launch. Costs are dropping and capabilities are rising with the innovations by companies such as these that are pursuing innovative ways to reach and develop space. Subscribe for just $4.95 per month.

Events, Multiple media, Space Systems

Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo ship approaching the ISS

Watch the Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo ship on NASA TV as it approaches the International Space Station for the first time:

Live streaming video by Ustream

Update: Get updates on the approach to the berthing at Twitter / Search – #Cygnus.

Update 2: Background information on this commercial cargo demonstration mission can be found at Orb-D1 COTS Demonstration.

A successful berthing will mean that NASA now has two commercial providers of cargo for the ISS. SpaceX has previously carried out one demo and two operational cargo missions to the ISS.

The entire program, including the development of two rockets (SpaceX Falcon 9 and the Orbital Sciences Antares) and two cargo carriers (SpaceX Dragon capsule and Orbital’s Cygnus module) cost the agency around $900M. This is less than than 2/3 the cost of a single Space Shuttle mission.

Chinese space, In Space Infrastructure, Space Systems

China’s unusual satellite trio

On July 19th,  China launched three satellites – Shijian 15, Chuangxin 3 and Shiyan 7. Since then they seem to be demonstrating formation flying, satellite servicing and/or anti-satellite techniques but it’s not really clear what they are doing: