Rocket launched transportation supplies including ice cream for the ISS

A rocket was launched on the east coast of Virginia and carries supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The Antares rocket, a launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation and successfully used by NASA in the past, took off to take away a Cygnus spacecraft, named SS John Young, in the first leg of its journey to the United States. # 39; ISS.

Inside the spacecraft are essential supplies for the ISS itself and its crew, including scientific equipment and food. Approximately 7,400 pounds (3,400 kilograms) of supplies were packed into the machine, including some special treats for astronauts, such as fresh fruit and ice cream. The other cargo includes vehicle equipment, computer resources and exit material in the space.

Due to bad weather, the launch had to be delayed for two days, but on November 17, the sky cleared. The aircraft will now fly into space over the weekend and should arrive at the ISS Monday at 5:20 am EST. Once he has approached the space station, the craft will be captured with a robotic arm controlled by the astronauts, which will allow him to be rolled up and recover his cargo.

Joel Montalbano, Program Manager at NASA's Assistant Station, described the launch as "outstanding" and congratulated the private company team Northrop Grumman, who built the rocket. He also discussed the challenges facing the ISS as there are currently only three astronauts on board instead of the five planned. In October, the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft was halted due to a warped sensor and the US and Russian crews were forced to perform a spectacular emergency landing. This meant that extra crew members were not able to get to the ISS.

But the smallest crew on the ISS was apparently running smoothly and was able to track scheduled maintenance and search activities. "The crew members on board have become aware of the situation and are working very hard to identify the tasks that need to be done," said Montalbano. "Any science or research that was critical for the time is going on, and we are redefining priorities for other activities."