AASC Supports Successful Antares Launch and Successful Cygnus Spacecraft Docking
Stockton, CA (PRWEB) January 16, 2014 -- The Antares Launch Vehicle was successfully launched on January 9, 2014 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia, carrying the Cygnus Spacecraft on its first operational mission bound for the International Space Station. This flight is designated the Orbital-1, or Orb-1 mission.
This launch follows a pair of successful launches in 2013, including the initial test launch in April and the 1st demonstration launch to the International Space Station in September.
The Cygnus Spacecraft was packed with 2,780 lbs. of cargo, which includes cargo for the crew, science experiments, computer supplies, spacewalk tools, food, water, clothing and experimental hardware. It successfully docked with the International Space Station on Sunday, January 12.
The Antares is a two-stage launch vehicle with the ability to launch spacecraft weighing up to 14,000 lbs. into low Earth orbit, as well as lighter weight payloads into higher energy orbits. The Antares structures consist of the payload fairing, fairing adapter, motor adapter, payload adapter, interstage, and avionics cylinder. These components are fabricated at AASC’s Stockton, California facility and delivered to Orbital’s Chandler facility for finalization and proof loading. AASC has delivered six complete ship sets to date.
The Cygnus Spacecraft consists of a common Service Module (SM) and a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM). The Cygnus Service Module structure is fabricated and proof load tested at AASC’s Stockton, California facility and delivered to Orbital’s Dulles facility for integration. AASC has delivered seven complete ship sets to date.
Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC) is a full service provider of complex composite and metal bonded structures and assemblies for both military and commercial applications. Based in Stockton, California, AASC is classified as a small business with approximately 350 employees. AASC designs and fabricates critical, lightweight, high-performance, engineered structural assemblies for the aerospace industry. The company is ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100 Rev C certified, and has been in business since 1956. For more information, visit the company’s web site at http://www.aascworld.com.
Patrick Hart, Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation, http://www.aascworld.com, +1 (209) 983-3314, [email protected]
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