The new Cygnus spacecraft is the cheery of the cargo tugs hauling geared wheel to the International Space Station . Those new round solar panels are effectual , efficient , and adorable !
Solar panel on a new Cygnus spacecraft high over Africa . figure credit : NASA / Scott Kelly
When the S.S. Deke Slayton IIlaunched in December , it was the first delegacy of thenewly - upgraded Cygnus ballistic capsule . The acclivity admit an expound freight hold and retread service module , but the most visually striking dispute is the new solar panels . Instead of stiff rectangular bars like on every other spacecraft ( includingolder - model Cygnus ballistic capsule ) , the Cygnus now sports a pair of cheery turn orange - yellow Ultraflex solar arrays .
Ultraflex solar arrays undergoing ground testing an gathering . trope recognition : Orbital ATK
Now the spacecraft putters around in celestial orbit like a mouse with over - sized ears , and adds a spark of capriciousness to the rough angular shape of the International Space Station . mate with the capsule ’s round tie , Cygnus sum some much - needed curved contrast to the endless right angles of the blank space place .
Ultraflex arrays for the InSight mission to Mars . Image credit : Orbital ATK
The variety in frame is drive by function . The round fan - fold allows for eminent functioning at a lower mass than typical array . The arrays also close up up little than traditional arrays , reduce the stowage loudness during launching .
Earlier versions of the engineering science were used on the Mars Phoenix Lander , while the current version will be used on theInSight Landerto Mars when iteventually set in motion .
Cygus lend curvature to all the uncoiled furrow . Image credit : Roscosmos / Sergey Volkov
Really , there is no question . Roscosmos ’s Progress isbulbously utilitarian . JAXA ’s HTV serial are foray down to thebare minimums(although they doexplode quite gloriously during reentry ) . SpaceX ’s Dragon is aiming for sleekly modern . But Orbital ’s Cygnus spacecraft is the most impulsive of the lot , bringing a style of sunniness along with every legal transfer .
Even the approach lighter are cute . Image deferred payment : NASA / Scott Kelly
The Cygnus spacecraft was unload of its cargo . For the past calendar month , it has been reloaded with choke experiment , dirty wash , and other undesirable materials . It will be jettisoned from the space station and send on a destructive way to burn up in the atmosphere as part of afiery food waste daysoon .
Cygnus sneaks into a portrait of the Bahamas . prototype credit : NASA / Scott Kelly
[ Orbital ATK ]
Top image : Cygnus space vehicle go up the space station in December 2015 . credit entry : NASA / Scott Kelly
get hold of the author at[email protected]or follow her at@MikaMcKinnon .
CygnusScienceSpace
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , skill , and refinement news in your inbox day by day .
news show from the future tense , fork up to your present .
You May Also Like
