Antares sails test payload into orbit

Posted by Jason Davis

2013/04/22 11:12 CDT

Topics: private spaceflight, rockets

After a handful of weather delays and an Ethernet cable-induced scrub, Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket finally made it off the launch pad. The rocket's maiden voyage appeared to go off without a hitch, culminating with the successful insertion of a payload meant to simulate the Cygnus spacecraft into orbit. This paves the way for a full-fledged demo flight to the International Space Station, which Orbital says may come later this year.

Here are a few scenes from the launch.

NASA / Bill Ingalls

Antares rises from the pad

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket rises from launch pad 0A on its maiden test flight.

NASA / Bill Ingalls

AJ-26 engines roar to life

Two liquid-fueled AJ-26 engines power the Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket into orbit during its maiden flight on April 21, 2013. The AJ-26 is a refurbished Soviet-era NK-33 engine originally built for Russia's N1 launch vehicle.

Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA TV

Virginia is for rockets

The Virginia coast recedes under Antares' exhaust plume during its maiden flight on April 21, 2013.

Orbital Sciences Corporation / NASA TV

Solid in space

The second stage, solid-fueled CASTOR 30 engine burns during Antares' final push to orbit during its inaugural flight. The Alliant Techsystems logo is visible on the side.