[meteorite-list] NASA TV to Broadcast U.S. Cargo Ship Departure from Space Station

[Ron Baalke]

February 16, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY M16-012

NASA TV to Broadcast U.S. Cargo Ship Departure from Space Station

After delivering more than 7,000 pounds of cargo to support dozens of science 
experiments from around the world, Orbital ATK's Cygnus cargo spacecraft is 
set to leave the International Space Station Friday, Feb. 19. NASA Television 
will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 7 a.m. EST.

The Cygnus spacecraft, which arrived at the station Dec. 9, will be detached 
from the Earth-facing side of the station's Unity module using the Canadarm2 
robotic arm, operated by ground controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in 
Houston. NASA's Mission Control Center will maneuver Cygnus into place and 
Expedition 46 robotic arm operators Scott Kelly and Tim Kopra of NASA will 
give the command for its 7:25 a.m. release.

Once the spacecraft is a safe distance from the station, its engines will 
fire twice, pushing it into Earth's atmosphere where it will burn up over the 
Pacific Ocean. The deorbit burn and reentry of Cygnus will not air on NASA 
TV.

Experiments delivered on Cygnus supported NASA and other research 
investigations during Expeditions 45 and 46, in areas such as biology, 
biotechnology, and physical and Earth science -- research that impacts life 
on Earth. Investigations included a new life science facility that will 
support studies on cell cultures, bacteria and other microorganisms, a 
microsatellite deployer and the first microsatellite to be deployed from the 
space station. Experiments exploring the behavior of gases and liquids, 
clarifying the thermo-physical properties of molten steel, and testing 
flame-resistant textiles also were delivered.

The Cygnus resupply craft launched Dec. 6 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 
rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, for the company's 
fourth NASA-contracted commercial station resupply mission.

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv 

For more information about Orbital ATK's mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/orbitalatk

For more information about the International Space Station, and its research 
and crews, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station 

-end-