The mission, Cygnus NG-21, is the space agency’s 21st commercial ISS resupply mission using the uncrewed Cygnus capsule built by contractor Northrop Grumman, which took over the spacecraft’s development after acquiring manufacturer Orbital ATK in 2018.

Cygnus spacecraft have completed nine missions under the company’s Commercial Resupply Services Phase 2 (CRS-2) contract with NASA and are scheduled for missions through 2026 after the agreement was extended in 2022. The total value of the CRS-2 contracts, which were also awarded to SpaceX and Sierra Space, is capped at $14 billion.

Cygnus’ 21st flight is targeted to launch at 11:28 a.m. EDT on Saturday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft is called the S.S. Richard “Dick” Scobee in honor of the astronaut who died while commanding the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Cygnus will arrive at the orbital laboratory on Monday, where NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick will use the ISS’ robotic arm to capture it with NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps serving as backup.

Carrying more than 8,200 pounds of supplies, the uncrewed spacecraft will launch atop SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket for the second time after Northrop Grumman’s supply of Antares rockets, which rely on parts from Russia and Ukraine, was exhausted.

After docking to the ISS for six months, the expendable capsule in January will depart the space station and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

NASA will host a prelaunch media session on Friday followed by launch coverage on Saturday and arrival coverage on Monday, all of which will be on the agency’s website, app, and YouTube channel.

The Cygnus capsule will carry research materials that will directly support experiments under NASA’s ISS Expeditions 71 and 72.

One test, for example, will use a penny, hex nut, and balloons to demonstrate centripetal force in microgravity. Researchers will also use special machines to produce human tissue and stem cells, test the effects of spaceflight on DNA, and study the movement of gas and liquid through a filter in zero gravity.

In total, the spacecraft will carry nearly 2,800 pounds worth of materials for scientific investigations, as well as 95 pounds worth of spacewalk equipment and two CubeSat satellites to be deployed from the ISS.

Cygnus spacecraft so far have delivered more than 138,000 pounds of equipment, science experiments, and supplies to the space station, according to Northrop Grumman.

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The stealth strike bomber was unveiled in December 2022 and officially moved into low-rate production earlier this year. In January, Northrop Grumman said six B-21 bombers are in various stages of final assembly and testing at its facility in Palmdale, California.

On Wednesday, the Air Force released a new image of the aircraft it calls the “backbone of the  U.S. Air Force bomber fleet.”

Northrop Grumman on Thursday released an additional image of the bomber in flight, saying the test campaign at Edwards AFB was led by a Combined Test Force (CTF) composed of personnel representing the Air Force and the manufacturer.

“CTF test pilots indicate the jet is performing as expected with the aircraft flying like the simulator, reflecting the precision of the digital environment on B-21,” Northrop Grumman said in a statement.

• READ MORE: Pentagon Greenlights B-21 Production

Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month on the B-21’s progress.

“We are in the flight test program, [and] the flight test program is proceeding well,” said Hunter. “It is doing what flight test programs are designed to do, which is helping us learn about the unique characteristics of this platform, but in a very effective way.” 

Designed to carry out long-range conventional and nuclear missions, the B-21 is set to eventually replace aging B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. The B-21 is scheduled to hit full operational status in the mid-2020s.

• READ MORE: B-21 Raider Takes First Flight

The Air Force has said it intends to purchase at least 100 of the aircraft. Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been designated as the first main operating facility for the B-21 and its formal training unit. 

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Northrop Grumman, I needed something that would challenge my mind, body, and spirit. There were two options on the table. I had just graduated with my master’s degree and was seriously thinking of taking the next leap of faith and earning a doctorate.

But that was quickly overshadowed by my second option—my childhood dream of learning to fly. And I wasn’t disappointed. It did challenge my mind, body, and spirit every step of the way.

What intrigued me the most about learning to fly was that it required mastering many disciplines. In other words, it’s more than just jumping into an airplane and learning stick-and-rudder skills. You have to become entrenched in subjects such as aerodynamics, radio navigation, geography, radio communications, airspace, map reading, legal, medical, and my favorite discipline, meteorology.

Despite my background as a research meteorologist, my aviation weather background was limited when I was a student pilot. So, I was very excited to discover what more I might learn about weather in addition to all of these other disciplines. If you are a student pilot, here are some tips that will help you achieve a good foundation with respect to weather.

It Isn’t Easy

First and foremost, weather is inherently difficult. It’s likely the most difficult discipline to master because of the uncertainty and complexity it brings to the table. Therefore, strive to understand what basic weather reports and forecasts the FAA effectively requires that you examine before every flight. It certainly doesn’t hide it. It’s a fairly short and succinct list that’s all documented in the new Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Ultimately, knowing the nuts and bolts of this official weather guidance will help with your knowledge and practical tests and give you a head start once the ink is dry on your private pilot certificate.

Second, as a student pilot, plan to get your weather guidance from a single and reliable source. Try not to bounce around using multiple sites or apps. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of websites and apps that will deliver weather guidance to your fingertips such that you can become overwhelmed with all of the choices, and entropy quickly takes over. Besides, flight instructors love to show off their unique collection of weather apps on their iPhone. Sticking with the official subset of weather guidance will allow you to focus on what matters the most.

• READ MORE: Aviation Weather Center Website Upgrade—the Good, Bad, and Ugly

Once you receive your private certificate, then you can expand the weather guidance you use to include other websites and apps.

The two internet sources that should be at the top of your list include the Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov) and Leidos (1800wxbrief.com). Both of these sites provide the essential weather guidance needed to make a preflight weather decision. Using one or both of these sites will help focus you on the official weather guidance the FAA demands you use.

Categorize Your Data

Third, when you look at the latest weather guidance, take a minute and characterize each product. It should fall into one of three categories: observational data, advisories, or forecasts. Knowing its category will tell you how to properly utilize that guidance. For example, if you come across a visible satellite image, that’s an example of observational data.

Observational data is always valid in the past and typically comes from sensors. What about a ground-based radar mosaic (e.g., NEXRAD)? That’s also an observation. Pilot weather reports (PIREPs) and routine surface observations (METARs) are also considered observational data. While not a pure observation, the latest surface analysis chart that is valid in the recent past will identify the major players driving the current weather systems.

• READ MORE: What Is the Criteria for Issuing a Convective SIGMET?

Observations are like the foundation when building a house. All other weather guidance you use will build on that foundation. A sturdy and well-built foundation is the key to a good preflight weather briefing. You can’t know where the weather is going until you know where it has been. Identifying the latest trends in the weather through the use of these observations is the cornerstone of this foundation. When possible, looping the guidance over time will expose these trends. Is the weather moving or stagnant? Is it strengthening or weakening over time?

Advisories such as the initial graphical AIRMETs (G-AIRMETs) snapshot, SIGMETs, and center weather advisories (CWAs) are the front lines of aviation weather. They are designed to highlight the current location of the truly ugly weather. Advisories build the structure that sits atop of this foundation. Essentially, these advisories summarize the observational data by organizing it into distinct hazards and areas of adverse weather to be avoided.

Forecasts are the springboard for how these observations and advisories will evolve over time. You can think of forecasts as the elements that protect the finished house, such as paint, shingles, and waterproofing. This also includes the alarm and surveillance system to alert you to the possible adverse weather scenarios that may occur during your flight. While forecasts are imperfect, they are still incredibly useful. Forecasts include terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs), convective outlooks, prog charts, and the remaining four snapshots for G-AIRMETs.

Dive into the Details…

Fourth, details matter quite a bit. Look at the guidance and identify what stands out. Don’t make a decision too early. Instead, carefully observe and gather facts. Is the precipitation occurring along the route limiting the ceiling and/or visibility? Is the precipitation expected to be showery? This is a clear indication of a convective process in place.

Are the surface observations reporting two or three mid- or low-level cloud layers? Again, this is another indication of a convective environment. This can be especially important to identify, especially when there’s a risk of thunderstorms that have yet to form.

…But Fall Back on the Big Picture

Fifth, get a sense of the big weather picture. This is likely the most difficult aspect of learning how to truly read the weather. Think about the big weather picture as the blueprint for building an entire community. It’s what brings everything together. When I do my own preflight briefings, my decisions are largely driven by what’s happening at that synoptic level.

Lastly, read, read, and read some more. Focus mostly on the weather guidance and less on weather theory. These are the specific weather products mentioned earlier. Weather theory is something you can tackle at a later time. The FAA’s Aviation Weather Handbook is a great start. You can download a PDF document for free from the agency website and add this to your online library. This was issued in 2022 to consolidate the weather information from six FAA advisory circulars (ACs) into one source document. My book, Pilot Weather: From Solo to the Airlines, was published in 2018 and is written for pilots at all experience levels in their journey to learn more about weather.

If you fly enough, you will eventually find yourself in challenging weather. The goal of any preflight weather briefing is to limit your exposure to adverse conditions, and that takes resources and time. Once you’ve mastered the weather guidance, then giving Flight Service a call at 1-800-WXBRIEF will allow you to sound like a true professional.

Yes, I eventually did earn that doctorate, but I am really happy that I took the step over 25 years ago to learn to fly. One guarantee with weather: You can never learn enough. I am still learning today.

This column first appeared in the March 2024/Issue 946 of FLYING’s print edition.

The post How to Wrap Your Head Around Weather appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The commercial resupply mission—dubbed “NG-20″—was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shortly after noon EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

The spacecraft is set to reach the ISS on Thursday, where it will remain attached for six months. During that time, the spacecraft may reboost the station’s orbit to counteract atmospheric drag, according to Northrop Grumman. 

“Cygnus is scheduled for capture at 4:20 a.m. [on Thursday] by the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which will be operated by NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli with assistance from NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara,” NASA said.

It is scheduled to remain attached to the ISS until July, when it is set to depart, disposing of thousands of pounds of debris through its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, NASA said.

• READ MORE: First Commercial Lunar Delivery Mission Ends Before Landing

“This mission reflects Cygnus’ flexibility to launch on a variety of launch vehicles, demonstrating our ability to deliver on our commitments to support NASA’s mission,” Cyrus Dhalla, vice president and general manager of tactical space systems at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement.

Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth and landed at Landing Zone 1, completing our 10th launch and landing of the year pic.twitter.com/MoqpgEt2hg

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 30, 2024

The launch marked the 20th ISS cargo resupply mission for Northrop Grumman, as well as a milestone for SpaceX.

“This is the 10th flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, and four Starlink missions,” SpaceX said. “Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1).”

On board the spacecraft are supplies and equipment to conduct dozens of NASA experiments, including the first surgical robot on the space station; an orbit reentry platform that collects thermal protection systems data; a 3D cartilage cell culture that maintains healthy cartilage in lower gravity; and a metal 3D printer.

• READ MORE: First All-European Commercial Astronaut Crew Begins Research at Space Station

The Cygnus spacecraft used for the NG-20 mission was named in honor of aerobatic pilot and NASA astronaut Patricia Robertson, who was killed in a private airplane crash before she was able to make her scheduled flight to ISS in 2002.

NASA will stream live coverage of Cygnus arriving at the ISS beginning at 2:45 a.m. EST Thursday. The event will be streamed on NASA+, as well as on the space agency’s website.

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The news comes more than two months after the Air Force’s top-secret stealth bomber—the first new bomber for the service in more than 30 years—took its first flight on November 10.

• READ MORE: B-21 Raider Takes First Flight

A second test flight came on January 17, the Air Force confirmed.

According to Northrop Grumman, six B-21 bombers are in various stages of final assembly and testing at its facility in Palmdale, California

“This past fall, based on the results of ground and flight tests and the team’s mature plans for manufacturing, I gave the go-ahead to begin producing B-21s at a low rate,” William LaPlante, U.S. undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said in a statement Monday.

Bloomberg first reported the news of the low-rate initial production contract.

“One of the key attributes of this program has been designing for production from the start—and at scale—to provide a credible deterrent to adversaries,” LaPlante said. “If you don’t produce and field warfighters at scale, the capability doesn’t really matter.”

Designed to carry out long-range conventional and nuclear missions, the B-21 is set to eventually replace aging B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. The B-21 is scheduled to hit full operational status in the mid-2020s.

• READ MORE: Northrop Grumman Pulls the Cover Off B-21 Raider

The Air Force has said it intends to purchase at least 100 of the aircraft. Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been designated as the first main operating base for the B-21 and B-21 formal training unit. 

The post Pentagon Greenlights B-21 Production appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Long Beach, California-based Rocket Lab last month submitted an SEC filing detailing the agreement: a deal to design, manufacture, deliver, and operate 18 “space vehicles” worth up to $515 million. For whom, though, is a mystery—the firm did not detail the specific customer, the purpose of the deployments, or the technology being delivered. But there are a few clues.

Rocket Lab’s SEC filing, dated December 21, 2023, said the company signed an agreement with a “United States government customer” to produce the 18 vehicles. Launches under the contract are expected to begin in 2027, shortly after the first customer delivery. 

The deal calls for Rocket Lab to operate the vehicles through 2030, with an option to extend that to 2033. At minimum, the firm will rake in $489 million from the contract, with options and incentives for a further $26 million.

While it’s unclear which agency is purchasing the technology, signs point to the Space Development Agency (SDA), an organization within the U.S. Space Force.

SDA is buying up hundreds of low-cost, industry-procured satellites to deploy in low Earth orbit (LEO). These will create a satellite “constellation” capable of detecting mobile missile launchers, ships, and other threats in real time for U.S. military forces on the ground. The initiative is called the Proliferated Warfighting Space Architecture, or PWSA.

The project contains five tranches, or stages. One of these, Tranche 2, is projected to include 90 communications systems (called “Beta” satellites) comprising a Transport Layer, which will provide military connectivity on Earth beyond the line of sight. In August, SDA awarded a total of $1.5 billion to defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build 72 satellites for that component, called Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta.

That’s a lot of fancy terminology. But in short, SDA needs 18 more satellites to fill out the roster. Does that number sound familiar? Derek Tournear, director of the SDA, last month acknowledged the figure and hinted that the organization is closing in on a purchase.

“We are looking at putting another 18 [Beta] satellites on contract, and we are looking at a third vendor to do that,” Tournear said at a National Security Space Association event on December 7. “We should make that announcement shortly.”

Tournear’s comments are not confirmation that SDA is Rocket Lab’s mystery customer. But the launch provider certainly fits the bill of that “third vendor,” and a collaboration between the two may make a lot of sense.

A Good Fit?

Rocket Lab got its start solely as a launch provider but has since expanded with a Space Systems business, which produces satellite components such as radios and solar panels. In fact, that unit actually outperformed the company’s launch business in the third quarter, leading all segments with $46.3 million in revenue.

Given the shift in business focus, a partnership with SDA makes sense. 

The organization introduced the PWSA initiative in 2019, launching the first two batches of Tranche 0 satellites this year. A third and final wave is expected to join them soon. Meanwhile, the agency has poured billions into Tranche 1 contracts for Lockheed, Northrop, and York Space Systems, with the first Tranche 1 satellites slated for launch in September. As of October, it was in the source selection phase for another batch of Tranche 2 vehicles.

Tranche 2 Beta satellites will deploy ultra-high frequency and S-band radio frequencies, which are used by the military for voice and data transmission. In November, SDA successfully demonstrated communications between satellites and earthbound receivers through the vacuum of space, using the Tranche 0 spacecraft deployed earlier this year.

Like SDA, the U.S. Space Systems Command is also developing LEO satellite constellations, part of a push by the Space Force to acquire small satellites for applications such as missile warnings. In other words, there’s plenty of demand for what Rocket Lab is supplying.

In addition, Rocket Lab and SDA have a prior relationship. In 2022, the company formed a national security subsidiary to hone in on the U.S. defense and intelligence market. That year, it won two SDA contracts worth $14 million to build separation systems for 84 SDA satellites, built by Lockheed and a second undisclosed supplier.

Rocket Lab on the Rebound

Like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Rocket Lab this year felt the wrath of the FAA after a September mishap. But with a massive contract now in hand, the company may be headed for a rebound.

The accident earlier this year, which destroyed a payload aboard the firm’s Electron rocket, may have something to do with the launch segment’s recent struggles compared to the Space Systems business. But with FAA authorization to resume flying and a return to action in December, the company’s flagship rocket is back—and, in fact, it had a record year.

Electron flew 10 times in 2023, besting the company’s record of nine flights the year before. That’s at the top of the list for any launch provider not named SpaceX—rival United Launch Alliance, for example, flew just three times. The two-stage rocket also made its first mission on U.S. soil and flew twice in the span of one week, setting a new high mark for turnaround time.

While Rocket Lab specializes in Electron missions out of spaceports in Virginia and New Zealand, the company also earned seven suborbital launch contracts this year: five from Leidos, one from the Department of Defense, and another from a confidential customer. 

In addition to Electron, Rocket Lab since 2019 has produced the Photon, a satellite bus that uses chemical propulsion to fly in LEO, mid Earth, geostationary, or lunar orbit, and even on planetary journeys. First launched in 2020, Photon can be configured for an array of uses from satellite constellations to hosted payloads, such as NASA’s 2022 Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (Capstone) mission. There are four in orbit.

The company is further developing the larger Neutron rocket, expected to debut in 2025. Earlier this year, it purchased $16.1 million in assets from the now-defunct Virgin Orbit, including a lease to one of the Richard Branson-owned company’s Long Beach facilities and key manufacturing infrastructure. 

In October, Rocket Lab opened an engine development center to produce the spacecraft’s new Archimedes engine. A few years ago, it also won a $24.35 million Space Force award to develop Neutron’s upper stage.

With all of that recent activity plus December’s massive contract, Rocket Lab will be hoping it can cling to the number two ranking among launch providers for the foreseeable future.

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The stealth bomber, which was unveiled by Northrop Grumman to the public in December and confirmed by the service to be undergoing taxi testing last month, had long been projected to make its first flight by the end of the year. That met deadline was confirmed Friday when freelance journalist Matt Hartman posted a video of an aloft B-21 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Air Force officials confirmed the bomber is in flight testing.

“Flight testing is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wing’s B-21 Combined Test Force to provide survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners,” Ann Stefanek, Air Force spokesperson, said in a statement.

Northrop Grumman is manufacturing six test aircraft, according to the service.

• READ MORE: Air Force Confirms B-21 Taxi Tests Underway

B-21 RAIDER FIRST FLIGHT 11-10-23 #RAIDER33 #B21Raider pic.twitter.com/3tEKudqDiw

— Matt Hartman (@ShorealoneFilms) November 10, 2023

Edwards Air Force Base, California, will lead testing and evaluation of the B-21. That includes ground testing, taxiing, and flight operations, the Air Force said.

Designed to carry out long-range conventional and nuclear missions, the B-21 is set to eventually replace aging B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. It is scheduled to hit full operational status in the mid-2020s.

• READ MORE: Northrop Grumman Pulls the Cover Off B-21 Raider

Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, has been designated the first main operating base for the B-21 and  the B-21 formal training unit. Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, are both slated to receive aircraft as they become available, pending environmental approval. Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, will coordinate B-21 maintenance and sustainment.

The post B-21 Raider Takes First Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The development, first reported by The War Zone, was validated Wednesday by the Air Force.

“I can confirm the B-21 is conducting ground taxi activities,” an Air Force spokesperson told FLYING. “Rigorous testing is a critical step in the B-21 flight test program. Extensive testing evaluates systems, components, and functionalities. This testing allows us to mitigate risks, optimize design, and enhance operational effectiveness. I don’t have any other details on testing at this time.”

• READ MORE: Northrop Grumman Pulls the Cover Off B-21 Raider

The stealth bomber, which was unveiled to the public in December, had been projected to make its first flight by the end of 2023. Designed to carry out long-range conventional and nuclear missions, it is scheduled to hit full operational status in the mid-2020s.

In September, Northrop Grumman confirmed it had commenced engine testing, which it said was a significant milestone for the bomber’s ground test program.

“While the B-21 first flight will be a data-driven event closely monitored by Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force, key programmatic decisions and strategies are placing the program in a positive position moving forward,” the Falls Church, Virginia-headquartered company said.

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Through the partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), Northrop Grumman will supply its Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for the engineering, manufacturing, and design phase for the aircraft, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

The system is capable of day or nighttime operations and provides accurate geo-location of detected mines, according to Northrop Grumman.

“The mission of ALMDS is to detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored mines rapidly,” said Chang-heon Han, executive vice president for KAI’s rotary wing division.
“KAI is convinced that the ALMDS integration will make a significant improvement to the Republic of Korea’s Navy mine detection capabilities.”

The post Northrop Grumman Contracted for South Korea Mine Detection Helicopter appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Often referred to as the “Navy’s digital quarterback,” the E-2D expands battlefield awareness and is considered the cornerstone of the service’s theater air and missile defense architecture nearshore, overland, and open sea.

Under the contract, Delta System Software Configuration 6 (DSSC 6) updates to the E-2D Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft will include technical refresh of the cockpit, as well as theater combat identification.

The $458.2 million modernization effort is expected to take five years, GovConwire reported.

Once fielded, the open architecture of DSSC 6 will allow for the rapid integration of new nonproprietary applications and capabilities, according to Northrop Grumman. Beginning in 2029, the Navy’s entire fleet will be retrofitted with updated cockpit, navigation technology, and mission systems, the company added.

“Northrop Grumman has a long partnership with the U.S. Navy on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program to ensure with this fleet modernization that we continue to outpace evolving threats into the 2040s and beyond, with this proven airborne battle management command and control aircraft,” Janice Zilch, vice president of multidomain command and control programs at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement.

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