# Cygnus Mass Simulator

> boilerplate payload launched April 21, 2013 on the maiden flight of Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q11835699](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11835699)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antares_A-ONE)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cygnus-mass-simulator

## Summary
The Cygnus Mass Simulator was a boilerplate spacecraft launched on April 21, 2013, serving as the payload for the maiden flight of Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket. Designed to simulate the mass properties of a functional Cygnus spacecraft, it was used to test the launch vehicle's performance during the "A-ONE" demonstration mission.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Type:** Spacecraft (specifically a boilerplate payload).
*   **Launch Date:** April 21, 2013.
*   **Mission Name:** Antares A-ONE (Maiden flight of the Antares rocket).
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Antares (produced by Northrop Grumman).
*   **Operator/Manufacturer:** Orbital Sciences.
*   **Launch Site:** Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2013-016A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 39142.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Antares A-ONE.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Cygnus Mass Simulator?
A: The simulator was a non-functional boilerplate payload designed to mimic the mass and aerodynamic profile of a real Cygnus cargo spacecraft. It allowed Orbital Sciences to test the Antares rocket's capabilities without risking valuable cargo.

### Q: When and where was the Cygnus Mass Simulator launched?
A: It was launched on April 21, 2013, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.

### Q: Was the Cygnus Mass Simulator a functional spacecraft?
A: No, it is classified as a "boilerplate" payload. While it is categorized as a spacecraft, it was a mass simulator rather than an operational vehicle designed for space logistics or research.

## Why It Matters
The Cygnus Mass Simulator played a pivotal role in the development of commercial spaceflight logistics, specifically regarding the Antares launch system. As the payload for the Antares rocket's maiden flight (Mission A-ONE), the simulator provided critical verification of the rocket's structural integrity, avionics, and propulsion systems under realistic launch conditions. This test flight was a necessary prerequisite for subsequent missions that would deliver actual cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). By successfully launching this simulated mass, Orbital Sciences validated the interface between the launch vehicle and the payload, paving the way for the operational Cygnus spacecraft to become a vital part of NASA's commercial resupply strategy.

## Notable For
*   **Maiden Flight Payload:** It served as the primary payload for the very first flight of the Antares launch vehicle.
*   **Mass Simulation:** Distinguished from operational spacecraft by its function as a heavy, inert object used to test rocket performance.
*   **Mission Designation:** The launch is commonly referred to as the "Antares A-ONE" mission.
*   **Launch Infrastructure:** It marked a significant utilization of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.

## Body

### Mission Overview
The Cygnus Mass Simulator was launched as part of the Antares A-ONE mission. While structured as a spacecraft under identifiers such as COSPAR ID 2013-016A and SCN 39142, the entity functioned as a test article. Its primary objective was to simulate the weight and balance of a fully loaded Cygnus spacecraft to ensure the Antares rocket could perform nominally during a standard ascent profile.

### Launch Details
The launch took place on April 21, 2013. The mission originated from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0, located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The launch vehicle used was the Antares rocket, a two-stage launch vehicle developed to deliver payloads to low Earth orbit.

### Classification and Data
*   **Class:** The entity is an instance of a **spacecraft**, specifically a **boilerplate** model.
*   **Identifiers:** 
    *   **COSPAR ID:** 2013-016A
    *   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 39142
    *   **Freebase ID:** /m/0rph5xp
*   **Media:** Visual documentation of the simulator is available in the Wikimedia Commons category "Antares A-ONE." An image of the simulator's side view is archived at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Cygnus_mass_simulator_-_side_view.png`.

### Related Entities
*   **Antares:** The launch vehicle utilized for the mission, produced by Northrop Grumman.
*   **Orbital Sciences:** The entity responsible for the rocket and the mission (referenced in the raw description as "Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket").

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013