NASA’s Wallops successfully launched Northrop Grumman rocket with supplies headed to ISS

Northrop Grumman’s 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station had a successful launch Saturday, Feb. 19, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island.

The launch took place at about 12:40 p.m. with no delays. Weather conditions ahead of the launch were at 75% favorable with concerns about strong surface winds.

The mission for NASA will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the Space Station aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft. It is loaded with about 8,300 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware.

This is the first Cygnus mission featuring enhanced capabilities to perform a re-boost to the space station’s orbit as a standard service for NASA; one re-boost is planned while Cygnus is connected to the orbiting laboratory, NASA said in a release.

Each resupply mission to the station delivers scientific investigations in the areas of biology and biotechnology, Earth, space, and physical sciences, and technology development and demonstrations.

The Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-17 Cargo Craft is set for rendezvous and capture by the International Space Station at 4:35 a.m. Monday.