A Scheduled Supply Load Won’t Reach the International Space Station as Planned
The scheduled arrival of a record-breaking supply load to the International Space Station has been delayed due to an unexpected issue with the main engine on Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft. According to NASA, the problem arose early Tuesday morning when the spacecraft’s main engine shut down earlier than expected during two burns to boost its orbit for its rendezvous with the ISS.
The Delayed Arrival of a Crucial Cargo Load
The Cygnus XL spacecraft was launched on Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. A series of main engine burns was supposed to bring the spacecraft from the orbit the Falcon 9 released it in to an orbit matching the altitude of the ISS. However, due to the unexpected engine shutdown, the spacecraft’s arrival at the station has been delayed.
The Problem with the Main Engine
According to NASA, all other systems on the Cygnus XL spacecraft are performing as designed. However, the main engine’s failure to perform its critical role in boosting the ship’s orbit has left engineers scrambling for a backup plan. The agency has stated that a new arrival date and time at the space station is "under review." It’s worth noting that this is not the first issue with the Cygnus spacecraft; earlier this year, damage was discovered to one of the spacecraft’s pressurized cargo modules during shipment from its manufacturer in Italy.
The Importance of This Mission
This mission has taken on greater importance than a typical cargo delivery flight due to the previous incident. Engineers had hoped to repair the damaged module and launch it on a future flight; however, officials decided it would be quicker to move forward with the next spacecraft in line for launch this month. This is the first flight of the larger Cygnus XL model, which measures 5.2 feet (1.6 meters) longer than its predecessor and has the ability to carry 33 percent more cargo.
The Cargo Load on Board
The supplies on board the NG-23 mission include fresh food, hardware for numerous biological and tech demo experiments, and spare parts for essential items such as the space station’s urine processor and toilet. This is the heaviest load of supplies ever delivered to the ISS by a commercial cargo vehicle. Unlike SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which can return to Earth intact, the Cygnus is not designed to make it back safely; instead, astronauts will fill it with trash before departure from the ISS, and then the spacecraft will head for a destructive reentry over the remote Pacific Ocean.
The Implications of the Delay
A problem preventing the spacecraft from reaching the ISS would result in the loss of all cargo on board. While engineers are exploring backup plans to still reach the station, it’s unclear at this time whether they can overcome the main engine issue. One possible option might be using the smaller thrusters on the Cygnus spacecraft to more gradually adjust its orbit and line up for a final approach with the ISS.
The Robotic Arm’s Role in Capturing the Spacecraft
Unlike SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which flies itself to automated dockings at the station, the Cygnus must be captured by the lab’s Canadian-built robotic arm. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim was set to use the arm to capture the Cygnus spacecraft as it flew within 30 feet of the complex.
Conclusion
The unexpected delay in the arrival of a record-breaking supply load to the International Space Station due to an issue with the main engine on Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft is a significant setback for the mission. While engineers are exploring backup plans, it remains unclear whether they can overcome the main engine issue and still reach the station. The supplies on board the NG-23 mission include essential items such as fresh food, spare parts, and hardware for numerous experiments, making this delay particularly concerning.