# Cygnus NG-14

> cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q85754909](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85754909)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_NG-14)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cygnus-ng-14

## Summary
Cygnus NG-14 was an uncrewed cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launched by Northrop Grumman under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. The mission delivered over 3,500 kilograms of supplies and scientific equipment to the ISS in October 2020. It was named S.S. Kalpana Chawla in honor of the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space.

## Key Facts
- **Mission Name**: S.S. Kalpana Chawla (Cygnus NG-14, CRS OA-14, Orbital-14)
- **Launch Date**: October 3, 2020 at 01:16:12 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0
- **Launch Vehicle**: Antares rocket (flight 13)
- **Payload Mass**: 3,551 kg
- **Spacecraft Class**: Cygnus Enhanced
- **Operator**: Northrop Grumman Space Systems
- **Manufacturer**: Northrop Grumman (prime contractor), Thales Alenia Space (subcontractor)
- **Docking Port**: Unity module (nadir side) on ISS
- **Berthing Date**: October 5, 2020 at 12:01 UTC
- **Unberthing Date**: January 6, 2021 at 12:25 UTC
- **Decay of Orbit**: January 26, 2021 at 20:23 UTC
- **COSPAR ID**: 2020-069A
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Italy

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Cygnus NG-14 mission?
A: Cygnus NG-14 was designed to deliver critical cargo, including food, water, scientific experiments, and hardware, to the International Space Station. It supported ongoing research and operations aboard the station during Expedition 63 and 64.

### Q: When did Cygnus NG-14 dock with the ISS?
A: The spacecraft successfully berthed with the ISS on October 5, 2020, at 12:01 UTC using the Canadarm2 robotic arm operated by the station crew.

### Q: Who manufactured the Cygnus NG-14 spacecraft?
A: Northrop Grumman Space Systems served as the prime contractor for the spacecraft, while Thales Alenia Space acted as a subcontractor responsible for parts of the design and construction.

## Why It Matters
Cygnus NG-14 played a crucial role in sustaining life and science aboard the International Space Station. As part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program, it demonstrated the viability of private sector involvement in space logistics. Its successful delivery of essential cargo enabled astronauts to continue long-duration missions and conduct vital scientific research in microgravity. Additionally, naming the spacecraft after Kalpana Chawla honored her legacy and highlighted diversity in space exploration.

## Notable For
- Named after Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin in space
- Delivered one of the largest payloads among Cygnus missions at the time
- Utilized enhanced capabilities of the Cygnus Enhanced model for increased cargo capacity
- Demonstrated reliable performance of the Antares launch system
- Completed all major mission phases—including berthing, unberthing, and atmospheric reentry—without anomalies

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cygnus NG-14 was the 14th operational cargo mission flown by Northrop Grumman under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract. Officially designated as S.S. Kalpana Chawla, the spacecraft launched atop an Antares rocket from Wallops Island, Virginia.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: October 3, 2020
- **Time**: 01:16:12 UTC
- **Location**: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0
- **Vehicle**: Antares 230+

The launch marked another milestone in the reliability of the Antares family of rockets following upgrades post-flight A-ONE anomaly in 2014.

### Payload & Cargo
Cygnus NG-14 carried approximately 3,551 kilograms of cargo destined for the ISS. This included:
- Science investigations such as the RadWatch experiment to monitor radiation exposure
- Hardware for maintenance and upgrades
- Food, water, and personal items for the Expedition 63/64 crews

### Docking Operations
After reaching orbit, the spacecraft autonomously approached the ISS before being captured by the Canadarm2 robotic arm on October 5, 2020, at 12:01 UTC. It was then berthed to the nadir port of the Unity module.

### Departure and Reentry
Following nearly three months attached to the ISS, Cygnus NG-14 was unberthed on January 6, 2021, at 12:25 UTC. After departing the station, it performed a controlled deorbit burn and disintegrated upon atmospheric entry on January 26, 2021, at 20:23 UTC.

### Legacy and Naming
In tribute to astronaut Kalpana Chawla—who perished in the Columbia disaster in 2003—the mission was formally named S.S. Kalpana Chawla. This recognition underscored her contributions to human spaceflight and inspired future generations.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Cygnus NG-14",
  "description": "Cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46530",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_NG-14"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Space Mission"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.space.com/cygnus-cargo-spacecraft-named-kalpana-chawla.html)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2020/10/05/iss-daily-summary-report-10-05-2020/)
4. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.789.txt)
5. [Source](https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grummans-cygnus-spacecraft-berths-with-international-space-station)
6. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.784.txt)
7. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.788.txt)