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LIFTOFF! Antares Rocket Soars Toward Space
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The first private Antares rocket built by Orbital Sciences Corp. launches toward space from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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Antares Blasts Off
Credit: NASA TV
The Orbital Sciences Antares rocket blasts off from its seaside launch site on Virginia's Wallops Island April 21, 2013.
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Antares Launch
Credit: NASA TV
Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket launches on its first test flight April 21, 2013 from its Wallops Island, Va. launch site. [
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Cygnus Spacecraft Separation
Credit: Orbital Sciences
Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft separates from the Antares rocket second stage during the first test flight on April 21, 2013.
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Rocket Flames
Credit: NASA TV
A view from the Antares rocket as its first stage fires, lofting the booster into orbit on its maiden voyage April 21, 2013.
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Antares Stage Separation
Credit: NASA TV
The first stage of Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket drops off during its April 21 launch, as seen from an onboard camera.
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Antares Rocket Fairing
Credit: NASA TV
The rocket fairing, or casing, falls away on the Antares rocket during its first test launch.
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Antares 2nd Stage
Credit: NASA TV
The second stage of the Antares rocket fires in this graphic from Mission Control shown during the launch sequence.
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Antares Rocket Launch: Earth Below
Credit: NASA TV
The Earth drops away from Orbital Sciences first Antares rocket in this amazing view captured by the rocket's ATK-built second stage during a test launch on April 21, 2013. [
Full Story]
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Bolden Congratulates Orbital Team on Launch
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden congratulates the Orbital Sciences Corporation launch team and management in the Range Control Center at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility after the successful launch of the Orbital Sciences Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Launch Viewing Map
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corp.
This map by Orbital Sciences Corp. shows the launch visibility possibilities for Orbital's Antares rocket on April 20, 2013. The rocket will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va.
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Visibility Map of Antares Launch
Credit: NASA/Wallops Flight Facility
Wondering if you will be able to view the Antares launch in person? The Wallops Mission Planning lab created this visibility map to help answer that question. Liftoff for the rocket is currently set for Wednesday, April 17, at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT). This image was released April 11, 2013.
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Antares Mission Vehicle Configuration
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The Antares rocket stands about 131 feet (40 meters) tall and is designed to launch payloads of more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit. It will make its initial launches from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. Image released March 2013.
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Antares Rocket Atop Seaside Launch Pad
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket is seen on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on April 16, 2013 on Wallops Island, Va.The rocket is slated to launch on April 20.
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A-ONE Mission Overview
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Orbital Sciences picked Antares as the new moniker for its Taurus 2 rocket, a new medium-class booster initially slated to launch the firm's unmanned Cygnus spacecraft on space station cargo flights for NASA. Image released March 2013.
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Antares Cygnus Mass Simulator
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
A mass simulator is designed to mimic the weight of a real cargo ship. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Launch Scrubbed on April 17, 2013
Credit: NASA TV
Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket first test flight was scrubbed on April 17, 2013, about 12 minutes before scheduled launch. An umbilical on the second stage prematurely disconnected.
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Antares Rocket on Launch Pad
Credit: NASA TV
Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket stands on the launch pad about one hour before scheduled launch at 4:00 pm EDT on April 17, 2013, at Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.
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Antares Rocket From a Different Angle
Credit: NASA TV
A still image taken from NASA TV shows Orbital Science's Antares rocket a few minutes before its scheduled test flight on April 17, 2013, launcing from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.
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Antares Launch Control Room
Credit: NASA TV
This still from NASA TV shows the control room at Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA, April 17, 2013, a few minutes before the scheduled launch of Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket.
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Close-Up of Antares Rocket
Credit: NASA TV
NASA TV shows a close-up of Orbital Sciences' Antares Rocket a few minutes before scheduled launch on April 17, 2013, from Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.
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Antares Rocket Atop Seaside Launch Pad
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket is seen on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on April 16, 2013 on Wallops Island, Va.The rocket is slated to launch on April 20.
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Sunrise Over Antares Rocket at NASA Wallops
Credit: Brea Reeves/NASA Wallops Flight Facility
The sun rises over NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, where the first Antares rocket built by Orbital Sciences stands poised to launch on its test flight from Wallops Island on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Liftoff set for 5 pm ET on April 17, 2013.
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Antares Rocket on Eve of 1st Launch
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket is seen on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in Virginia. Liftoff is set for April 17.
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Antares Mass Simulator Before Launch
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The Antares Cygnus Mass Simulator being prepared ahead of its launch. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Close-up
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The Antares rocket takes its new name from the star Antares, which is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius (the Scorpion). Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Ready for April 17 Launch
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Following a successful A-ONE launch, Orbital will carry out a full flight demonstration of its new Antares and Cygnus cargo delivery system to the International Space Station (ISS) around mid-year. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Raising Antares A-ONE Rocket
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The Transporter/Erector/Launcher raises the A-ONE Rocket to a vertical position on the launch pad and serves as a support interface between the rocket and the launch complex’s systems. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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A-One Mission Conducts 'Hot Fire' Test
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The 29-second “hot fire” test was conducted by the Orbital and the Antares team at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Feb. 22, 2013. The test was designed to verify that the pad's fueling systems and the Antares stage one test article functioned properly in a fully operational environment, that engine ignition and shut down commands operated as designed, and that the dual AJ26 first stage engines performed to specification in the twin-engine configuration.
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Antares Prepared for Roll Out
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The Antares rocket for the A-ONE Launch Mission was lifted onto the transporter in advance of its roll out to the pad. This image was taken April 4, 2013 at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) on Wallops Island.
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Cargo Delivered to the Cargo Module for Loading
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Space station cargo arrived at Wallops Flight Facility on March 19, 2013. The cargo was loaded into the Pressurized Cargo Module on March 22 and completed on March 23.
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COTS Demo Cygnus Spacecraft Mated at Wallops
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The COTS Demonstration Cygnus spacecraft completed a milestone when its Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) was attached to the Service Module (SM), and all mechanical flight connections were attached. This image was taken April 2, 2013.
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Antares Conducts 'Hot Fire' Test
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Orbital and the Antares team successfully conducted a "hot fire" test of the first stage propulsion system on Feb. 22, 2013.
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Antares A-ONE Rocket On the Pad
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The rocket was transported about one mile to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) launch pad complex aboard the Transporter/Erector/Launcher (TEL), and was raised to a vertical position on the pad. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Antares A-ONE Rocket
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The TEL raises the rocket to a vertical position on the launch pad and serves as a support interface between the rocket and the launch complex’s systems. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Vertical
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Antares Rocket on the launch pad. Orbital officials also hope the Antares rocket can serve other civilian and military customers as well. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Antares Rocket on the Launch Pad
Credit: NASA
Orbital announced that the target date for the A-ONE mission is April 17. Image taken April 6, 2013.
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Senator Kaine Tours Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia toured Wallops flight facility and got an up-close look at the rocket as he toured the HIF and met with NASA Wallops and Orbital employees. This image was taken April 4, 2013.
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Cygnus Integration Begins at Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Orbital has unpacked the Cygnus Service Module (SM) from its transfer trailer and has begun launch site integration testing following its journey from Orbital's Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Dulles, Va. Image released April 1, 2013.
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First Cygnus Service Module Shipped to Wallops
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Cygnus Service Module in its shipping container at Orbital’s Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Dulles, Va., just prior to departure for Wallops Flight Facility. Image released March 26, 2013.
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First Cygnus Service Module Arrives at Wallops
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Cygnus Service Module arriving at H-100, Wallops Flight Facility building H-100 on March 26, 2013.
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Space Station Cargo In-Processed for Loading
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
NASA flight cargo is being in-processed for loading at Building H-100, Wallops Flight Facility, Va. A total of 1235 lbs of cargo (560 kg) was loaded into the Cygnus. Image released March 23, 2013.
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Cargo PreFlight Inspection
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The cargo from NASA arrived at Wallops Flight Facility building H-100 by truck from Houston, Texas on March 19, 2013 and was accepted by the Cygnus team that evening. The cargo was then unpacked, weighed, measured and inspected to ensure that the cargo successfully survived the trip.
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Cargo Bag Insertion into Pressurized Cargo Module
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Orbital’s Cygnus Cargo team loaded space station cargo from NASA into the Pressurized Cargo Module at Wallops Flight Facility. Image released March 23, 2013.
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Pressurized Cargo Module Loaded With Cargo
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Orbital’s Cygnus Cargo team loaded cargo into the COTS Demonstration Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) in advance of the COTS Demonstration Flight. Image released March 23, 2013.
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Engineer Works on Antares Cygnus Mass Simulator
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
An engineers works on the Cygnus Mass Simulator ahead of the April 17 launch date. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Antares Vehicle Configuration
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
The design of the Antares A-ONE rocket. Liftoff for the rocket is scheduled for April 17, 2013. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Orbital Space Act Agreement
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
Highlights of the agreement between NASA and the Orbital Science Corporation. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Milestones
Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA
A chart detailing the milestones achieved by Orbital Sciences. The company plans to launch at least eight Antares rockets from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, nicknamed MARS, to deliver tons of cargo to the International Space Station under a $1.9 billion deal with NASA set in 2008. Image released April 11, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Rolls Out
Credit: NASA/Wallops/Brea Reeves
Orbital Sciences Corp. completed roll-out of the first fully-integrated Antares rocket to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Saturday, April 6.
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Antares Rocket Rolls Out to Spaceport Pad
Credit: NASA/Wallops/Brea Reeves
Antares rocket makes its way to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on April 6. Orbital is testing the Antares rocket under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.
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Antares Test Flight Scheduled for April 17
Credit: NASA/Wallops/Brea Reeves
Orbital has confirmed an April 17 target launch date for the first fully-integrated Antares rocket test flight.
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Antares Test Flight Set for April 17
Credit: NASA/Wallops/Brea Reeves
The Antares rocket at Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A. This image was taken April 6, 2013.
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Antares at MARS Pad-0A
Credit: NASA/Wallops/Brea Reeves
Antares Rocket at Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., on April 6, 2013. The inaugural launch is scheduled for April 17.
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Go Antares!
Credit: NASA/Wallops Flight Facility
Image from the NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Facebook page released April 15, 2013. Liftoff for the rocket is marked for April 17, at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT).
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Range Control Center After Successful Launch
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver talks with CEO and President of Orbital Sciences Corporation David Thompson, left, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Orbital Sciences Corporation Antonio Elias, second from left, and Executive Director, Va. Commercial Space Flight Authority Dale Nash, background, in the Range Control Center at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility after the successful launch of the Orbital Sciences Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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All Smiles After Successful Launch
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and other guests react after having watched the successful launch of the Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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Bolden and Garver Celebrate After Antares Liftoff
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and other guests react after having watched the successful launch of the Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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Antares Test Launch Marks Milestone
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Antares rocket test launch marked the first flight of Antares and the first rocket launch from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013. The Antares rocket delivered the equivalent mass of a spacecraft, a so-called mass simulated payload, into Earth's orbit.
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Antares Launches from Pad-0A
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Antares rocket is seen as it launches from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Sunday, April 21, 2013.
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Antares Soars
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Antares rocket soars from its launch from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on April 21, 2013.
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Antares Rocket Takes Off in Test Launch
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The third try was the charm for the private Antares rocket, which launched into space from a new pad at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, its twin engines roaring to life at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) on April 21, 2013 to carry a mock cargo ship out over the Atlantic Ocean and into orbit. The successful liftoff came after two delays caused by a minor mechanical glitch and bad weather.
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Antares Rocket Begins Maiden Voyage
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket soars from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Sunday, April 21, 2013. The Antares rocket is a two-stage booster designed to launch tons of supplies to the International Space Station aboard a new unmanned cargo ship called Cygnus. Orbital has a $1.9 billion contract with NASA to provide at least eight resupply flights to the station using Antares and Cygnus.
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Antares Rocket Soars in Critical Test Flight
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket is seen as it takes off from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Sunday, April 21, 2013. Orbital had much riding on the liftoff, which marked a critical test flight of a new commercial launch system.
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Antares Liftoff Sets Record for Wallops Flight Facility
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Antares is the largest rocket ever to launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. It lifted off from the new Pad 0A on April 21, 2013, which is at Wallops but managed by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) and overseen by the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority. Altogether, the Commonwealth of Virginia and MARS officials spent about $140 million to build the new launch pad complex.
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Antares Takes Off from Wallops
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Antares rocket is seen as it took off from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Sunday, April 21, 2013. During the test launch, the rocket launched on a southeast trajectory over the Atlantic and took 10 minutes to reach its target orbit 155 miles (250 kilometers) above Earth.
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Antares Lifts Off in Successful Maiden Voyage
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Antares rocket is seen as it took off from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Sunday, April 21, 2013. The rocket carried an 8,377-pound (3,800 kilograms) dummy payload to mimic the weight of an actual Cygnus spacecraft. The mockup was packed with 70 sensors to record how the Antares rocket launch would affect a Cygnus vehicle.
