SpaceX to Fill Resupply Gap After Cygnus Spacecraft Damage
NASA is making adjustments to its upcoming SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) after a Cygnus spacecraft suffered damage and was deemed unfit for flight. This Cygnus spacecraft, built by Northrop Grumman, was originally scheduled to launch in June with vital supplies for the ISS crew.
Cygnus Mission Cancelled Due to Damage
The Cygnus spacecraft, intended for the NG-22 mission, sustained damage to its pressurized cargo module's shipping container during transit to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA evaluated the damage and concluded that the spacecraft was no longer suitable for the planned June launch.
SpaceX to the Rescue: Increased Cargo Capacity
To compensate for the cancelled Cygnus mission, NASA will increase the amount of food and consumable supplies on the next SpaceX Dragon resupply mission, scheduled for April. This means prioritizing essential resources for the astronauts over some of the originally planned science payloads. The goal is to ensure the crew has sufficient supplies until the next resupply opportunity.
NASA and Northrop Grumman are still assessing whether the damaged Cygnus module can be repaired and used for a future mission, potentially the NG-23 mission slated for the fall. In the meantime, NASA continues to rely on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to keep the ISS stocked. Northrop Grumman and SpaceX have been key partners in transporting cargo to and from the ISS since 2008.
While NASA has a third commercial resupply partner, Sierra Space, with its Dream Chaser vehicle, it is not yet operational. Boeing's Starliner is also still undergoing testing and certification before it can regularly transport cargo and astronauts to the ISS. Until then, SpaceX remains a crucial lifeline for the orbiting laboratory.
Source: Gizmodo