SpaceX Successfully launched Cygnus cargo spacecraft but encountered ignition failure

TapTechNews August 5th news, at 11:02 am local time on August 4th, 2024, SpaceX successfully launched the Cygnus cargo spacecraft using a 10-times-used Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex. This is the second launch mission of SpaceX on that day, and previously the company has successfully sent 23 Starlink satellites into orbit.

However, the Cygnus cargo spacecraft encountered trouble shortly after the launch. The ignition failure problem occurred in orbit, due to the initially too low pressure of the engine. However, NASA stated that the engine itself has no problem.

Despite the setback, the Cygnus spacecraft is still planned to arrive at the International Space Station around 3 am Eastern Time on August 6th. TapTechNews noticed that this mission is named NG-21, and it is the 21st time for the Cygnus spacecraft to go to the International Space Station. This cargo ship is named Richard Scobee, in memory of one of the seven astronauts who died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle accident, Richard Scobee.

The Cygnus spacecraft carried approximately 3720 kilograms of supplies this time, including various scientific experiment equipment and daily necessities for astronauts. In addition, two small cube satellites will also take the Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station.

It is worth noting that the Cygnus spacecraft is disposable and is expected to burn up in the atmosphere after separating from the International Space Station in January 2025. In contrast, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is reusable.

It is reported that this launch was originally scheduled for the previous day but was postponed due to weather reasons.