[Satellite TODAY 07-18-13] Thales Alenia Space has delivered its second pressurized cargo module (PCM) to Orbital Sciences Corp. for integration in the Cygnus spacecraft that will transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

 

     The module was shipped from Thales Alenia Space’s plant in Turin, Italy to the NASA launch facility on Wallops Island, Va., where Orbital will integrate it with the service module to form the Cygnus spacecraft that will carry out Orbital’s first operational resupply mission. The mission is scheduled for launch this coming September by Orbital’s Antares launch vehicle.

 

    Thales Alenia Space will provide Orbital with seven more pressurized cargo modules, which will ferry crew supplies, spare parts and scientific experiments to the ISS. The company is providing a total of nine units under the Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) contract awarded to Orbital by NASA.