Cygnus NG-23, William C. McCool

Launch data:

Description:

First flight of extended Cygnus XL spacecraft. Third of four missions to fly on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.

Mission details:

• The Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship loaded with 11,000 pounds of experiments and supplies for the International Space Station will not dock tomorrow morning as planned. Launched on Sunday, the NG-23 spacecraft experienced propulsion anomalies today as it raised its orbit to match that of the ISS. NASA and Northrop Grumman are assessing what steps are needed next.
• NG-23 lifted off on time Sunday evening at 6:11 pm ET aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL.
• All apparently proceeded as expected until this morning when the NG-23 engines “stopped earlier than planned during two burns designed to raise the orbit” in preparation for rendezvous with the ISS according to NASA. The reasons aren’t clear yet as “flight controllers evaluate an alternate burn plan.”
• This is the first launch of Northrop Grumman’s new XL version of Cygnus that can deliver 33 percent more cargo.
• Although this is designated NG-23, it is only the 22nd Cygnus capsule to be launched. NG-22 was damaged during shipping via boat from its manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, in Italy to Florida. Northrop Grumman plans to fly it to the ISS once it’s repaired.
• Cygnus does not dock with the ISS, but is captured by the Canadarm2 robotic arm and installed — or berthed — onto a docking port.
  Ref: "https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/cygnus-cargo-ship-enroute-to-iss-experiences-propulsion-anomalies"

Astrophilately covers:

-->

Cygnus NG-23 launch, cancel CC. Credit: #411

Dock Abort cancel Houston. Credit: #411b

Dock Abort cancel Houston. Credit: #411b