US space agency NASA has delayed the launch of a cargo-supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) saying Hurricane Nicole could hit an important part of the organisation’s infrastructure in Bermuda.
Initially set for Thursday, Orbital ATK will now launch its unmanned Cygnus cargo ship no earlier than October 16 from Wallops Island, Virginia, the US space agency has said.
The Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft, which is meant to deliver cargo and supplies to the ISS, was originally planned to take off on Thursday but the start date has been moved to Sunday evening at the earliest.
The new date of the arrival of the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft to the space station is to be determined, NASA said.
The mission was earlier scheduled for launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on October 13.
Cygnus will carry approximately 2,313 kg of cargo, including crew supplies and vehicle hardware, to the orbiting laboratory to support dozens of science and research investigations, NASA said.
Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to reach Bermuda as a hurricane on October 13.
“The tracking station at Bermuda is required to conduct the Antares launch from Wallops,” said Steven Kremer, chief of the Wallops Range and Mission Management Office.
“The ability to support a launch will depend on the impact the storm has on not only our systems, but also the overall Bermuda infrastructure,” Kremer noted.
After the storm system has passed Bermuda, the Wallops team will conduct a damage assessment, perform mission readiness testing, and bring the site back up to operational status.
(With agency inputs)
