Cygnus Cargo Ship Takes Out the Trash at the International Space Station

[Judi Lynn]

By Meghan Bartels, Space.com Senior Writer | February 8, 2019 05:16pm ET

Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station sent a cargo capsule containing 5,500 lbs. (2,500 kilograms) of trash on its way today (Feb. 8); the Cygnus capsule is destined to burn up in Earth's atmosphere later this month.

But before it does, it has a couple more tasks to accomplish: It will deploy a collection of cubesats over the next couple of weeks. It will then deorbit on Feb. 25.

Northrop Grumman launched its Cygnus capsule on Nov. 17 from Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island in Virginia, carrying about 7,400 lbs. (3,400 kg) of supplies and scientific equipment. The capsule arrived at the orbiting laboratory two days later, where NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor captured it and monitored the docking process.

Today's release procedure was overseen by NASA astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques, who arrived at the space station in December to replace Auñón-Chancellor and her colleagues.

More:
https://www.space.com/43272-cygnus-capsule-leaves-space-station-february-2019.html

[RHMerriman]

1. Cygnus is a pretty impressive program; 3 tons+ to LEO, automated

Cygnus is a pretty impressive program; 3 tons+ to LEO, automated rendezvous and docking/berthing, relatively inexpensive launch vehicle(s)... in the realm of astronautics, it's actually been a reasonably solid performance program.

[LakeSuperiorView]

2. I wonder how much of that trash is water that could be freezed dried out of the waste?

It could then be electrolysed into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel.