NASA LAUNCHES SS KALPANA CHAWLA CYGNUS SPACECRAFT TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
                     NASA LAUNCHES SS KALPANA CHAWLA 
CYGNUS SPACECRAFT TO THE 
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
INTRODUCTION
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the 
US' Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft, named after late Indian-
American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, from its Wallops facility in Virginia.
• The flight will deliver thousands of kilograms/pounds of equipment, crew 
supplies, and science to the orbital outpost. 
Source: www.nasaspaceflight.com/
CYGNUS SPACECRAFT
• The Cygnus spacecraft is safely in orbit on its journey with nearly 8,000 
pounds of cargo for the International Space Station after the spacecraft 
separated safely from the Antares rocket which was carrying it.
Source: www.nasaspaceflight.com/
SCEDULE
• The 14th rocket of Northrop Grumman bound for the International Space 
Station (ISS), the SS Kalpana Chawla Cygnus was launched at 9:16 pm  
as per schedule. 
• It will arrive at the ISS on October 5 in early morning.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/
THE MISSION
• First and foremost, NG-14 is tasked with delivering a host of pressurized 
cargo including science experiments, crew supplies, general maintenance 
equipment, and personal items to the Station.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/
INCLUDED WITHIN CYGNUS
• A portion of the vehicle hardware includes fans, batteries, and 
consumables for Russia’s Zarya module as well as a new upgraded pane 
to provide improved viewing and optics for the crew when using the cupola 
observatory. Other deliverables are:
– 850 kg (1,874 lb) of crew supplies 
– 1,217 kg (2,683 lb) of scientific experiments and gear
– 151 kg (333 lb) of spacewalking equipment 
– 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) of vehicle hardware
– 71 kg (156 lb) of computer equipment
Source: www.nasaspaceflight.com/
SHARKSAT
• Outside of the vehicle, a single unpressurized cargo element known as 
SharkSat is also flying on this mission.  
• According to Northrop Grumman, the SharkSat will test emerging 
technologies with potential uses in 5G cellular networks.
Source: Spaceflight Insider
THE ROCKET
• The launch used an Antares 230+ rocket, a variant making its third flight.  
• NG-14 is also the third flight for NASA under the CRS2 (Commercial 
Resupply Services 2) contract. 
Source: National Geographic Video
THE S.S. KALPANA CHAWLA CYGNUS
• The Cygnus spacecraft is made up of a Pressurized Cargo Module built by 
Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy, and a Service Module consisting of the 
two solar arrays, navigation equipment, and propulsion elements built by 
Northrop Grumman in Dulles, Virginia.
Source: The Hitavada
TRADITION
• In keeping with the tradition of naming each Cygnus vehicle after someone 
instrumental in the field of space exploration, Northrop Grumman has 
chosen to honor Dr. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to travel 
to space.
Source: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/
ALL ABOUT KALPANA CHAWLA
• Born 17 March 1962 and Karnal, India, Kalpana earned a Bachelors of 
Engineering in aeronautical engineering in India.
• Her first mission launched on 19 November 1997 onboard the Space 
Shuttle Columbia, with Kalpana flying as Mission Specialist 1.  
Source: Free Press Journal