![\"Nov.](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/240\/2019\/11\/ISS_11-04-19.jpg\")
After its capture this morning at 4:10 a.m. EST, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft was bolted into place on the International Space Station\u2019s Earth-facing port of the Unity module at\u00a06:21 a.m. At the time of installation, Cygnus was flying over the south Pacific.<\/p>\n
This mission, designated NG CRS-12, will be in orbit at the same time as its predecessor, the NG CRS-11 Cygnus spacecraft, which launched in April on an extended duration flight. The NG CRS-12 Cygnus spacecraft will remain at the space station until January before it disposes of several thousand pounds of trash through its fiery reentry into Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The ability to fly two vehicles at once further demonstrates the robustness of Cygnus to support the goals of NASA\u2019s ambitious missions.<\/p>\n
The spacecraft\u2019s arrival brings close to 8,200 pounds of research and supplies to space station. Here are some of the scientific investigations:<\/p>\n
More Probing of Mysteries of the Universe<\/strong><\/p>\n This mission carries components needed to prolong the operational life of\u00a0Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02<\/a>\u00a0(AMS-02). In a series of spacewalks planned in the coming weeks, astronauts will cut and reconnect fluid lines on the instrument, a feat not done before in space, which could prove valuable for future missions at NASA\u2019s upcoming lunar\u00a0Gateway<\/a>\u00a0for the Artemis program or missions to Mars.<\/p>\n Testing Personal Protective Equipment for Astronauts<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0AstroRad Vest<\/a>\u00a0tests a special garment designed to protect astronauts from radiation caused by unpredictable solar particle events. Astronauts will provide input on the garment as they wear it while performing daily tasks. Use of the vest could protect crew members on missions to the Moon and Mars.<\/p>\n Food Fresh from the Oven<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0Zero-G Oven<\/a>\u00a0examines heat transfer properties and the process of baking food in microgravity. It uses an oven designed specifically for use aboard the space station, and may have application on future long-duration missions by offering a way to increase variety in flavor and nutrition of food for crew members.<\/p>\n 3D Printing with Recycled Materials<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0Made in Space Recycler<\/a>\u00a0will test systems needed to reprocess plastic into 3D printing filament that can then be transferred for use to the Made in Space Manufacturing Device, a 3D printer that has operated on the orbiting laboratory since 2016. This has implications for space conservation and deep space missions.<\/p>\n Learn more about space station activities by following\u00a0@space_station<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0@ISS_Research<\/a>\u00a0on Twitter as well as the\u00a0ISS Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0ISS Instagram<\/a>\u00a0accounts.<\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Garcia <\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After its capture this morning at 4:10 a.m. EST, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft was bolted into place on the International Space Station\u2019s Earth-facing port of the Unity module at\u00a06:21 a.m. At the time of installation, Cygnus was flying over the south Pacific.<\/p>\n This mission, designated NG CRS-12, will be in orbit at the same time as its predecessor, the NG CRS-11 Cygnus spacecraft, which launched in April on an extended duration flight. The NG CRS-12 Cygnus spacecraft will remain at the space station until January before it disposes of several thousand pounds of trash through its fiery reentry into Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The ability to fly two vehicles at once further demonstrates the robustness of Cygnus to support the goals of NASA\u2019s \u2026 Continue reading Cygnus Resupply Ship Attached to Unity for Cargo Operations<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Nov. 4, 2019: International Space Station Configuration. Four spaceships are attached to the space station including the Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply ship and Russia\u2019s Progress 73 resupply ship and Soyuz MS-13 and MS-15 crew ships. <\/p>\n