A-ONE « AmericaSpace

Third Time's the Charm for Orbital's Antares

By Ben Evans, on April 21st, 2013

Orbital Sciences Corporation successfully launched the first of its Antares rockets today from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Photo Credit:Mark Usciak / AmericaSpace

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va — Orbital Sciences Corp. has successfully launched its Antares rocket on the long-delayed “A-ONE” test flight from Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops […]

Orbital’s Antares Rocket Targeted for Saturday Launch Attempt

By Ben Evans, on April 19th, 2013

The launch countdown was proceeding according to schedule, with just a few minutes remaining before launch when the problem cropped up. Photo Credit: Bennett Scarborough

Two days after a disappointing scrub, late in the countdown for its “A-ONE” maiden voyage, the Antares booster stands ready for a second launch attempt from Pad 0A […]

Early Umbilical Separation Prompts Antares Launch Scrub

By Ben Evans, on April 17th, 2013

All dressed up and nowhere to go…at least, not yet. Orbital’s Antares booster waits patiently on Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), ahead of its maiden voyage. Today’s launch attempt was scrubbed in the final minutes of the countdown. Photo Credit: Mark Usciak / AmericaSpace

Despite fluctuating worries about cloudy weather […]

Wallops Flight Facility Enters Spotlight With Orbital's Antares Launch

By Mark Usciak, on April 17th, 2013

With the addition of Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket to the Wallops Flight Facility manifest, the sleepy center takes center stage in terms of commercial space operations. Photo Credit: Mark Usciak / AmericaSpace

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va — Until recently, NASA’s Wallops Research Center, located in Virginia, was one of NASA’s lesser-known centers. This […]

Orbital’s Antares Primed for A-ONE Maiden Launch

By Ben Evans, on April 16th, 2013

Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket is raised to the vertical position at Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on 6 April 2013. Photo Credit: Mark Usciak / AmericaSpace

In the early days of space exploration, the frequent term of the week was “A-OK,” but for Orbital Sciences Corp. this week everything will […]

Orbital's Antares Rocket Rolls Out to Pad in Preparation for First COTS Mission

By Mark Usciak, on April 6th, 2013

Orbital Science Corporation and NASA are preparing for the launch of the first of Orbital’s Antares rockets. Launch is tentatively slated to take place April 17. Photo Credit: Mark Usciak / AmericaSpace

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va — It was an early, cold morning, but with the sunrise came the ascension of Antares. NASA and […]

Orbital Readies For 'A-ONE' Test Flight

By Jim Hillhouse, on March 15th, 2013

The first launch of an Orbital Science Corporation’s Antares rocket is scheduled to take place between Apr. 16-18. Image Credit: Orbital

Orbital Sciences (OSC) is readying Antares, its medium-class launch vehicle, for its first Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) test flight, “A-ONE”, currently scheduled to take place between April 16 and 18, from […]

Orbital Successfully Hot Fires Antares Rocket, Tests New Pad at Wallops

By Jason Rhian, on February 22nd, 2013

NASA and Orbital Science Corporation conducted a successful “hot-fire” test of the Antares rocket’s AJ26 engines this evening from NASA’s Wallops Facility, located in Virginia. Photo Credit: NASA

Twenty-nine seconds might not seem like much, but for Orbital Science Corporation it was 29 seconds of pure victory. NASA and Orbital conducted a successful […]

Orbital Aborts Test Fire of Antares Rocket

By Jason Rhian, on February 15th, 2013

Photo Credit: NASA

Commercial space firm Orbital Sciences Corporation attempted a static test fire of the company’s Antares rocket’s first stage on Wednesday, March 13, but was forced to abort the test. The “hot fire” had been scheduled to take place the day prior, but was postponed. According to a statement appearing on […]

Orbital’s Antares Takes Key Step Toward Maiden Launch

By Ben Evans, on October 3rd, 2012

The twin engines of Antares’ first stage, developed by Aerojet, were originally part of the Soviet Union’s ill-fated N-1 lunar booster. Photo Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation

Orbital Sciences’ giant Antares booster – destined to launch the company’s Cygnus cargo ships toward the International Space Station as part of a $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply […]