A ship took off on Saturday to the International Space Station with a cargo that includes candy and cheese to satisfy the astronaut’s craving.
Northrop Grumman launched its Cygnus capsule from the coast of Virginia. The cargo of almost four tons will arrive at the orbital laboratory on Tuesday. The Antares rocket was finally able to take off on the third attempt of the last week at 3:21 p.m., after an auspicious 3-2-1.
“An impressive launch,” said Joel Montalbano, deputy director of the space station program at NASA, when the capsule reached orbit.
In addition to the usual experiments and equipment, the capsule contains cheddar and manchego cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, chocolate and three types of gummies expressly requested by the three astronauts of the station: Skittles, Hot Tamales, and Mike and Ike’s.
Periodic shipments of supplies to the orbital station in charge of Russia, Japan and the two private companies that serve NASA, Northrop Grumman and SpaceX, have included not only freeze-dried experiments, equipment, clothing and food. The capsules also carry packages sent by the families of astronauts, as well as fresh food to compensate for ordinary food on board the station.
The most recent shipment would have arrived well in advance of Valentine’s Day. But the countdown to the launch of the Antares rocket was suspended last Sunday due to last-minute concerns about the team on the launch pad on Wallops Island. Then the bad weather made its appearance. Dangerously strong winds frustrated Friday’s attempt.
The shipment to the space station was the 13th of Northrop Grumma for NASA. Cygnus capsules have the name of the constellation Cygnus (Swan in Latin).
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