Orbital ATK and NASA treated us to a spectacular launch with a mission to resupply the International Space Station on Tuesday. The event held special meaning as the spaceship was designated the S.S. John Glenn in honor of the legendary aviator and astronaut who died last December at the age of 95.
“John Glenn was probably responsible for more students studying math and science and being interested in space than anyone,” said former astronaut Brian Duffy, Orbital ATK’s vice president of Exploration Systems. “When he flew into space in 1962, there was not a child then who didn’t know his name. He’s the one that opened up space for all of us.” – NASA
This was the seventh mission to resupply the space station for Orbital ATK. The rocket carried over 7,000 pounds of cargo and will remain at the space station until July. The spacecraft will then be released with a load of trash to burn up in reentry to the Earth’s atmosphere.
Featured image by of the Orbital ATK Cygnus Launching To International Space Station by NASA
