ISSUE 5
Image: NASA
THE A4H NEWS
Orbital Science Cygus Docks with ISS
Moon, but also the first ever mission to the Moon’s south pole. The primary instrument, the International Lunar Ob-
Orbital Sciences successfully launched its Antares rocket
servatory (ILO), will conduct astrophysical observations and
from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on September
will have internet-based access and control so that anyone
18 carrying the Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft. On
on Earth can access data from the instrument. “The mission
September 29, Cygnus docked with the International
will provide a historic landing in an unexplored region of the
Space Station (ISS), making Orbital the second com-
Moon that may harbor some of the greatest resource depos-
mercial company capable of delivering cargo to the ISS.
its in the solar system,” said Moon Express CEO Bob Richards.
Cygnus, developed as part of Orbital’s Commercial Orbital
ARTICLE | http://bit.ly/moonexpress-lunarsouthpole
Transportation Services (COTS) joint research and devel-
Image: Moon Express/ILOA
opment initiative with NASA, delivered 700 kg of cargo, including food, clothing and experimental equipment. It was filled with up to 800 kg of disposable cargo before its departure from ISS on October 22. “This entire COTS demonstration mission has been executed in textbook fashion by the joint NASA and Orbital teams,” said Orbital President and CEO David W. Thompson. ARTICLE | http://bit.ly/cygnus-berths-with-iss
Moon Express Races for First on Lunar South Pole The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) is partnering with Google Lunar X-Prize team Moon Express
A B O V E Moon Express and ILOA are planning the first private-enterprise landing on the yet-to-be-explored South Pole of the Moon.
to launch not only the first private enterprise mission to the
30