NASA to Broadcast Cygnus XL Spacecraft Departure from the International Space Station
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Friday, October 9, following the completion of the company’s Commercial Resupply Service-24 mission, known as Northrop Grumman CRS-24.
How to Watch the Cygnus XL Departure
After delivering more than 11,000 pounds of supplies, scientific experiments and other cargo to NASA’s International Space Station, Cygnus XL will begin its journey home.
Live coverage of NASA’s undocking and departure is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on a variety of platforms. Viewers can watch the event online.
Cygnus XL Undocking and Release Time
Flight controllers on the ground will command the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to disconnect Cygnus XL from the Earth-facing port of the Unity module. The robotic arm will then maneuver the spacecraft into position for release at 12:45 p.m. NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will monitor the operation from atop the orbital complex.
Cygnus XL Re-Entry
Cygnus XL is carrying thousands of pounds of waste and other unneeded cargo. The resupply spacecraft is scheduled to deorbit on Sunday, October 11, entering Earth’s atmosphere for a destructive re-entry and safely burning up. NASA does not provide coverage of spacecraft deorbits.
Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Launch
The resupply spacecraft launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on April 11 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Learn more about this NASA commercial resupply mission below.
Source: www.nasa.gov