NASA has finally launched last Sunday the scheduled resupply mission toward the International Space Station for the first time in months. Despite several days of bad weather, "Santa is on his way" as Tory Bruno puts it.
According to a report from Newser, a U.S. shipment of much-needed groceries and other astronaut supplies has finally launched towards air space. If the Orbital ATK capsule arrives in international air space as planned on Wednesday, this will be the first U.S. delivery after several months. Tory Bruno, president of rocket maker United Launch Alliance announced via Twitter:
"Santa is on his way!"
After three days of high wind and cloudy skies, the weather began cooperating Sunday much to NASA's relief. On the fourth launch attempt, the unmanned Atlas blasted off carrying 7,400 pounds of space station cargo including some Christmas presents awaiting the space crew.
The six space station astronauts are more than thrilled with the successful launch after several days of delay. They even managed to take a picture of the rising rocket from their windows as it sailed over the Atlantic. Commander Scott Kelly posted in a tweet:
"Caught something good on the horizon."
These astronauts, including Commander Scott Kelly, are deep into a one-year mission. The last shipment sent was in April. NASA contracted two private companies worth $3.5 billion to replenish the 250-mile-high lab however rockets are grounded and are stuck here on Earth. Orbital ATK then bought the United Launch Alliance's rocket and the veterans Atlas V for this supply mission.
Last year in October, Orbital's previous grocery run ended in a fiery explosion just seconds after liftoff. Meanwhile, Space X, the other supplier experienced a launch failure in June on its 8th attempt trip.
More so, Russia has also lost a supply ship first part of the year. However, it has since picked up the slack and will launch another resupply mission before Christmas.
Normally, NASA has a six-month of food supply aboard the space station, however, it's just down to a couple of months after the three failed flights.
Indeed, it's going to be one merry Christmas in space.
