NASA is set to broadcast live footage of the Orbital ATK's Cygnus cargo spacecraft, which arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) Dec. 9, departing the ISS Friday, Feb. 19. The departure will take place right after the spacecraft delivers 7,000 pounds of cargo intended to help support numerous science experiments around the world. The stream will be accessible via NASA TV video streaming service, according to the agency's press release.
During the departure, the spacecraft will detach from the Earth-facing side of the station's Unity module. This process will be conducted by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which will be operated by ground controllers located at NASA's Johnson Space Center. After it is a safe distance from the station, the Cygnus will fire its engines twice, propelling it into the Earth's atmosphere where it will burn up over the Pacific Ocean.
The materials delivered via the Cygnus aid in experiments in the realm of biology, biotechnology and physical and Earth sciences. Some of the research includes a life science facility the will be used for studies on cell cultures and a microsatellite deployer.
This is not the first time that NASA has streamed a cargo ship departing the ISS - back in September, the agency let viewers witness an unpiloted Japanese cargo ship depart the station, according to PR Newswire. If you missed it, now it's your chance to get a glimpse of a cargo spacecraft in intergalactic action.
The news comes shortly after another unmanned Orbital ATK Cygnus craft that was set to launch Mar. 10 was delayed due to the discovery of black mold during routine inspections, according to Florida Today.
