Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Orbital's Cygnus space freighter embarks on maiden voyage
Source: BBC
18 September 2013 Last updated at 15:11 GMT
Orbital's Cygnus space freighter embarks on maiden voyage
By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News
The new Cygnus commercial cargo ship has launched on a demonstration voyage to the International Space Station.
Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), the robotic vessel lifted off atop an Antares rocket from the Wallops spaceport in Virginia, US.
Cygnus is one of two private systems seeded by Nasa to meet America's ISS re-supply requirements following the retirement of the space shuttles.
A successful mission will see OSC begin a series of operational cargo flights.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24147578
