iss064m260061444_Expedition_64_Cygnus_NG-14_Release_210106

SPACE STATION CARGO SHIP DEPARTS THE ORBITAL OUTPOST After a cargo delivery run lasting three months at the International Space Station, Northrop Grumman’s unpiloted Cygnus spacecraft was released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm Jan. 6 to begin a three-week free-flight in support of additional scientific objectives. Ground controllers sent commands to the robotic arm to enable Cygnus – named the SS Kaplana Chawla after the NASA astronaut who lost her life in the 2003 Columbia accident – to begin its journey away from the complex after it brought several tons of supplies and scientific experiments to the orbital outpost. Northrop Grumman flight controllers will monitor Cygnus’ flight for the next few weeks until it deorbits late this month to burn up harmlessly in the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.