ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION anticipates conducting its second and final launch under its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) contract with NASA in mid-July 2013. The Antares-Cygnus demonstration flight will launch vehicle placing into orbit the Cygnus spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight is to originate from the MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL SPACEPORT (MARS) located at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Orbital was previously awarded eight (8) cargo delivery flights to the ISS under its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. Orbital expects to conduct its first CRS cargo delivery flight in the autumn of 2013. By the end of 201, it is possible NASA will award a contract to Orbital for a ninth CRS cargo delivery flight. The first flight of the Antares booster that was successfully launched from MARS ON SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013, NOTES WDBJ-TV ROANOKE.
BLOOMBERG JOURNAILIST ASHLEE VANCE NOTED TODAY, "Orbital's return as a contender for space station transport places new pressure on SpaceX, although the younger company still has a number of advantages. It's able to return cargo from the ISS back to earth, while Orbital's crafts burn up on their return flights" (AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING).
On the other hand, Orbital's Cygnus capsule is larger and can carry about twice more cargo than SpaceX's Dragon. Return of the larger cargo capsule is a challenge under discussion, however. The NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia may opt to test the the HYPERSONIC INFLATABLE AERODYNAMIC DECELERATOR (HIAD) aboard the Cygnus spacecraft before mid-decade. Talks continue.
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