At 1740 GMT on 19 February 2022, an Antares 230+ rocket carrying Cygnus NG-17 successfully lifted off from Wallops Island USA . The spacecraft was named S.S. Piers Sellars after the late and much admired astronaut Piers Sellers who died of pancreatic cancer in December 2016. The spacecraft is carrying 3,800 kg of cargo including crew supplies and mission hardware to the International Space Station (ISS). According to reports, there are also two cubeSats aboard: KITSUNE and NACHOS aboard for later release. The spacecraft approached the ISS on 21 February ahead of its “grapple” capture by the Canadarm 2 robot arm, and its subsequent “berthing” to the space station. The Cygnus NG-17 is carrying a new gimballed rocket capable of raising itself and the ISS.
Composite image showing launch of Cygnus NG-17 (Piers Sellers) aboard an Antares 230+. Courtesy: Christopher Becke (with permission)
Cygnus NG-17 (SS Piers Sellars) approaches ISS. Courtesy: NASA TV
