The Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket is released from L-1011 carrier jet off the central Florida coastline at 8:37 a.m. EST (1337 GMT) and ignites to power eight microsats to space for NASA’s CYGNSS hurricane research project.
Disconnected from the International Space Station berthing port and then cast free by the robotic arm, the commercial Cygnus cargo craft flew away Friday after successfully restarting U.S. resupply service to the outpost.
Elements of the next U.S. commercial cargo-delivery trip to the International Space Station are coming together at Kennedy Space Center for the planned March 10 liftoff.