CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — The first of three SpaceX launches for the Cygnus cargo capsule during Northrop Grumman's transition to the new Antares 330 launch vehicle, launched from Cape Canaveral Tuesday.
Northrop Grumman's 20th cargo resupply mission launched to the International Space Station, powered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, according to NASA. Liftoff was at 12:07 p.m. EST.
NASA says the Cygnus capsule carried over 8,200 pounds of cargo including space station hardware, crew supplies and research that can only be done in microgravity.
Science and technology experiments aboard include a robotic surgery tech demonstration, tests of a 3D metal printer, semiconductor manufacturing, thermal protection systems for re-entry and if stem cells with no gravity in space will lead to bone formation or loss.
Dr. Abba Zubair at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville researched and prepped the stem cells for the space flight for months. He hopes the experiment will lead to funding solutions for millions of Americans who have osteoporosis.