Photos: Orbital Sciences' 1st Cygnus Spacecraft Flight to Space Station

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Antares Vehicle Configuration

Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA

Artist's Rendition of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft

Orbital Sciences

Artist's rendition of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus cargo spacecraft in orbit, on its way to the International Space Station (ISS).

Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Milestones

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.

Orbital Space Act Agreement

Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA

Highlights of the agreement between NASA and the Orbital Science Corporation. Image released April 11, 2013.

Cygnus Encapsulated in Antares Fairing #1

Orbital Sciences Corp.

The Cygnus capsule was encapsulated in the Antares fairing on Sept. 9, 2013, at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia.

Cygnus Encapsulated in Antares Fairing #2

Orbital Sciences Corp.

The Cygnus capsule was encapsulated in the Antares fairing on Sept. 9, 2013, at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia.

Cygnus Encapsulated in Antares Fairing #3

Orbital Sciences Corp.

The Cygnus capsule was encapsulated in the Antares fairing on Sept. 9, 2013, at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia.

Cygnus Encapsulated in Antares Fairing #4

Orbital Sciences Corp.

The Cygnus capsule was encapsulated in the Antares fairing on Sept. 9, 2013, at the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia.

Final Cargo Loaded Aboard Cygnus

Orbital Sciences Corp.

The final cargo bound for the International Space Station was loaded into Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft, then technicians closed the hatch and performed final close-outs to the Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) in September 2013.

Antares Mission Vehicle Configuration

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.

Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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