Thales Alenia Area completes new model of Cygnus
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Apr 02, 2024
Because the inception of the Cygnus pressurized cargo modules (PCM) within the early 2000s, designed to move provides to the Worldwide Area Station (ISS), there was important evolution of their design and capability. Initially able to carrying 2,750 kg and offering a quantity of 18 m3, the Cygnus spacecraft, consisting of a Service Module from Northrop Grumman and a PCM by Thales Alenia Area, has served the ISS with very important provides together with meals, water, spare elements, and scientific tools by means of biannual missions.
This system noticed a notable development from the OA-4 mission onwards, introducing a bigger Cygnus model with a payload of three,750 kg and a quantity of 27 m3, marking the very best resupply capability to the ISS till then. At present, engineers at Thales Alenia Area are finalizing the Cygnus module for the NG-21 mission, scheduled for supply to Northrop Grumman in Might 2024, with ongoing work on PCM 22.
In a brand new growth, Thales Alenia Area has accomplished the first construction of an excellent bigger Cygnus PCM, designed to hold payloads as much as 5,000 kg with a quantity of 36 m3. Scheduled for its preliminary stress take a look at this autumn to substantiate structural integrity, this expanded model aligns with NASA and Northrop Grumman’s ambitions for extra substantial crewed area exploration missions, set for supply in 2025.
Thales Alenia Area’s dedication to the Cygnus program, demonstrated by the development and supply of as much as 25 PCMs, underscores the collaborative effort with Northrop Grumman to advance human area exploration. Walter Cugno, VP for Exploration and Science at Thales Alenia Area, emphasised the function of evolving design and state-of-the-art expertise in assembly the calls for of long-duration missions and business resupply of orbital infrastructures, reflecting a partnership that has considerably contributed to area exploration over the previous 15 years.
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