Gallery: Antares rocket explodes

An Atlas 5 booster core and Centaur upper stage have been stacked to launch another commercial freighter with supplies and scientific research gear to the International Space Station next month.

Follow the Atlas 5 rocket’s ascent into orbit from Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41 launch pad with the Orbital ATK Cygnus resupply ship for the International Space Station. Launch is scheduled for Thursday at 5:55 p.m. EST (2255 GMT).

Working via remote control this spring, scientists will spark a fire aboard the unmanned Cygnus cargo ship that launches Tuesday to study how the deliberate flames spread in weightlessness.