Launch Photos: Orbital ATK's Cygnus OA-6 Lights Up the Night in Dazzling Liftoff

3D Printer on Cygnus CRS-6

A new 3D printe, seen here, is also hitching a ride to to space on Orbital ATK's Cygnus courtesy of Made in Space and Lowes.

Cygnus CRS-6 Loading

The S.S. Rick Husband Cygnus spaceship is filled with nearly 3.5 tons of supplies for Orbital ATK's OA-6 space station resupply mission, blasting off March 22.

Saffire Experiment to Test Fire in Space

A team of scientists and engineers tests the components of Saffire I and Saffire II, part of a NASA-led program to test the behavior of fire in microgravity conditions.

Cygnus Resupply March 22

NASA commercial provider Orbital ATK is scheduled to launch its fifth Cygnus cargo mission to the International Space Station Tuesday, March 22. The Cygnus spacecraft is shown here.

Heading to the Launch Pad

Technicians and engineers assist as a crane places the Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft on a KAMAG multi-wheeled transporter. The work is taking place inside the high bay of the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wrapped in a protective cover, the spacecraft will be moved to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. The work is in preparation for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deliver hardware and supplies to the International Space Station. The image was uploaded on March 22, 2016.

Teamwork

A crane is prepared to lift the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft inside the high bay of the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wrapped in a protective cover, Cygnus will be placed on a KAMAG transporter for the trip to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. The work is to prepare for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deliver hardware and supplies to the International Space Station. This image was released on March 22, 2016, during launch preparations.

Protecting the Gear

Cygnus OA-6 Wrapped in a protective cover and mounted on a KAMAG transporter, an Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft is moved from the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. The work is to prepare for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deliver hardware and supplies to the International Space Station. This image was released on March 22, 2016, during launch preparations.

Preparing the Interstellar Delivery

Wrapped in a protective cover and mounted on a KAMAG transporter, an Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrives at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ongoing work is to prepare the spacecraft for the upcoming Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deliver hardware and supplies to the International Space Station. The image was uploaded on March 22, 2016.

Mounting in Progress

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a United Launch Alliance Centaur offsite vertical integration stack is lifted for mounting atop an Atlas V first stage at Space Launch Complex 41. The stack includes the Centaur mated to the interstage adapter for mating to the Atlas V and the boat tail which will attach to the payload. Together, the rocket will boost a Cygnus spacecraft on the Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services-6 mission to deliver hardware and supplies to the International Space Station. This image was taken on March 22, 2016, during launch preparations.

Booster Placement

Preparations are underway to back the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V first stage booster into the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The first stage arrived aboard the ULA Delta Mariner barge at Port Canaveral in Florida. The booster will be prepared for the upcoming launch of the Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services OA-6 flight to the International Space Station. The Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module will carry hardware and supplies to the space station. This image was taken on March 22, 2016, during launch preparations.