Orbital ATK

As one of two partners in NASA’s commercial cargo program to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, Orbital ATK has received significantly less attention than the other provider, SpaceX. And with Orbital ATK preparing to make just its second launch attempt in more than three years from its home base of Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, it is worth reflecting on why.

First, a few details on the launch: at 7:37am ET on Saturday, Orbital ATK will attempt to launch its Cygnus spacecraft aboard an expendable Antares rocket. The spacecraft will carry 3,338kg of cargo to the space station. The launch from Wallops Flight Facility will be at least partially visible from most of the eastern US coast, with excellent weather conditions forecast.