Rocket fuel supplied by Defense Logistics Agency Energy launched the Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket to resupply the International Space station from Virginia’s Eastern Shore April 17.
The Antares rocket, filled with 21,500 pounds of rocket propellant for the first stage rocket and 500 pounds of hydrazine for the payload, launched the Cygnus NG-11 spacecraft from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
The Cygnus spacecraft resupply mission was hauling supplies to astronauts onboard the International Space Station. The spacecraft arrived at the orbiting laboratory April 19 and successfully completed its task of delivering 3 tons of science supplies and 40 intrepid mice for tests and observations to the ISS.
The Antares is designed to provide responsive space access, while the Cygnus is a cargo carrying space vehicle. The Cygnus, also known as the S.S. Roger Chaffee, was named after Roger Chaffee, an astronaut who lost his life in 1967 during a training mission for the Apollo 1.
“There are no boundaries to DLA Energy’s support, whether supplying fuel to the Warfighter in some far off land or to our international partners in outer space,” said DLA Energy Aerospace Customer Operations Director Steve Nichols.
Aerospace Energy’s support to Northrop Grumman’s 11th cargo flight to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract will support dozens of new and existing investigations.
“It is very rewarding that our space launch partners trust DLA Energy to fuel their rockets and take part in these incredible missions,” Nichols said. “I am very proud of the entire Aerospace Energy team and the professionalism they display everyday supporting our amazing customers.”