Supply Capsule Arrives At International Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL (AP) — It was sort of like Christmas in July for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Wednesday morning they used the station's giant robot arm to snag a Cygnus capsule packed with a fresh delivery of goods as the craft zoomed 260 miles above northern Libya; the vast expanse of sand provided a backdrop.
"I think everybody's breathing again," Mission Control radioed. "We felt like we were up there with you."
Two hours later, the Cygnus was bolted to the space station for a month long visit.
It's the third space station shipment for Orbital Sciences Corp. NASA is paying Orbital Sciences as well as the SpaceX company to haul up supplies.
The Cygnus contains more than 3,000 pounds of food, science experiments, mini-satellites and equipment, as well as outfits designed to resist bacteria and odor. The new gym clothes should keep the exercising astronauts smelling a lot better.
Swanson paid tribute to the late astronaut Janice Voss, who once worked for Orbital Sciences and made five space shuttle flights. The company named this newest Cygnus in her honor.
"We now have a seventh crew member," said station commander Steven Swanson. "Welcome aboard the ISS, Janice."
Mission Control also praised Voss, who died of cancer in 2012 at age 55. She never made it to the space station during her shuttle travels.
Once emptied, the capsule will be loaded with trash and set loose in mid-August for a fiery re-entry.
The Virginia-based Orbital Sciences made its first space station delivery last September. The second occurred in January.
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