Insider Brief:
- Northrop Grumman’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission (NG-20) launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
- The NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft carried more than 900 pounds of supplies, research, and technology demonstrations.
- The Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft has been contracted through NASA and will launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- Image credit: SpaceX
Northrop Grumman’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission (NG-20) marked a historic moment as a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, contracted through NASA, launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, showcasing over 20 payloads sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory.
The NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft, named SS Patricia “Patty” Hilliard Robertson in honor of the late NASA astronaut, will carry more than 900 pounds of supplies, research, and technology demonstrations. Among the highlights are:
Revolutionary Tissue Chip Study
Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, a groundbreaking study by the University of Connecticut will test a nanoparticle therapeutic to treat degenerative joint diseases on Earth.
Innovative Artificial Retina Manufacturing
Biotechnology startup LambdaVision aims to explore the layer-by-layer manufacturing of artificial retinas in microgravity using a powdered form of the protein bacteriorhodopsin. Success could lead to cost-effective mass reduction for materials transported to the space station.
Spaceborne Computing Advances
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) will test an updated version of the HPE Spaceborne Computer-2, potentially streamlining space-based research with quicker in-orbit data processing.
Microgravity-Enhanced Optical Fiber Production
Flawless Photonics, a leading optical fiber manufacturing company, will leverage microgravity to test its ZBLAN manufacturing platform, aiming to eliminate gravity-induced defects and enhance fiber performance for advanced laser systems and telecommunications devices.
Efficient Space Robotics
GITAI, a space robotics startup, will evaluate the efficiency of its dexterous robotic arms in the space environment, demonstrating extravehicular robotic systems’ capabilities in performing common crew activities and tasks.
The NG-20 mission exemplifies the ISS National Laboratory’s commitment to fostering innovation and advancing space-based inquiries.
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