Space technology company Orbital Sciences Corporation will launch its Cygnus cargo spacecraft for a supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, Oct. 27 under the company's $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The unmanned cargo ship will carry about 5,000 pounds of supplies, which include space experiments, spare parts and provisions for the astronauts stationed at the ISS. The Orb-3 mission marks the private company's third cargo delivery to the U.S. space agency's outpost in low Earth orbit.
NASA said that there's a high probability that there will be favorable weather at the time of launch and those who live along the East coast appear to have a good chance to see the rocket launch from their backyard on Monday evening.
The Antares rocket of Orbital Sciences that will carry Cygnus is scheduled to blast off from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia at 6:45 p.m. EDT and with a favorable weather, the liftoff can be seen from Massachusetts to South Carolina.
Views of the rocket taking off will vary depending on where a spectator is located. Orbital Sciences has prepared launch viewing maps for those who want to watch Monday night's rocket launch.
The maximum elevation map indicates the maximum degrees above the horizon that the rocket will reach during the first stage burn. The Antares rocket will appear closer to the horizon as it ascends if you are located further away from the liftoff site. You can look at your fist held at arm's length as reference as this is about 10 degrees in width.
The space technology company also provided a map that shows the estimated time when the Antares can be seen after its liftoff when it has reached 5 degrees above the horizon. The rocket cannot likely be seen when it is below 5 degrees because its view can be obstructed by vegetation, buildings and other terrain features.
Antares will look like a moving star with the light produced from the two stages of the liftoff. About two minutes after the launch, the spacecraft could look brighter as it has risen to an altitude where it starts to be illuminated by the sun.
Those who live elsewhere and want to view the liftoff, the Orb-3 launch will also be broadcasted by NASA on launch day.
