# Cygnus NG-16

> cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q104388150](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104388150)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cygnus_NG-16)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cygnus-ng-16

## Summary
Cygnus NG-16 was an uncrewed cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launched on August 10, 2021, as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. Operated by Northrop Grumman, it delivered over 3,700 kg of supplies and scientific equipment to the ISS using the Cygnus Enhanced spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 10, 2021, at 22:01:05 UTC from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A.
- **Operator**: Northrop Grumman Space Systems.
- **Spacecraft**: Cygnus Enhanced, named *S.S. Ellison Onizuka* in honor of astronaut Ellison Onizuka.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Antares rocket (version 15).
- **Payload Mass**: 3,723 kg of cargo delivered to the ISS.
- **Mission Duration**: Berthing on August 12, 2021; unberthing on November 20, 2021; atmospheric re-entry on December 15, 2021.
- **Manufacturers**: Northrop Grumman (general contractor) and Thales Alenia Space (subcontractor).
- **Destination**: International Space Station (berthing at the Unity module's nadir port).
- **COMPAR ID**: 2021-072A (NSSDCA ID: 2021-072A).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cygnus NG-16?
A: Cygnus NG-16 was a cargo resupply mission to deliver supplies, scientific experiments, and equipment to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

### Q: When was Cygnus NG-16 launched and how long did it stay at the ISS?
A: It launched on August 10, 2021, berthed at the ISS on August 12, and departed on November 20, 2021, before re-entering Earth's atmosphere on December 15, 2021.

### Q: What spacecraft and rocket were used for Cygnus NG-16?
A: The mission used the Cygnus Enhanced spacecraft (named *S.S. Ellison Onizuka*) and was launched aboard an Antares rocket (version 15).

### Q: How much cargo did Cygnus NG-16 carry?
A: The mission delivered 3,723 kg of cargo to the ISS, including supplies and scientific payloads.

### Q: Who operated Cygnus NG-16?
A: The mission was operated by Northrop Grumman Space Systems as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program.

## Why It Matters
Cygnus NG-16 played a critical role in sustaining the International Space Station by delivering essential supplies, scientific experiments, and hardware. As part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services, it demonstrated the reliability of private-sector partnerships in space logistics, ensuring continuous support for astronauts and research in low Earth orbit. The mission also honored the legacy of astronaut Ellison Onizuka, reinforcing the connection between historical space exploration and modern commercial spaceflight. By enabling ongoing research and operations aboard the ISS, Cygnus NG-16 contributed to advancements in science, technology, and international collaboration in space.

## Notable For
- **Named in Honor**: The spacecraft was named *S.S. Ellison Onizuka* after the first Asian American astronaut, Ellison Onizuka, who perished in the *Challenger* disaster.
- **High Payload Capacity**: Carried 3,723 kg of cargo, supporting critical ISS operations and experiments.
- **Precise Docking**: Successfully berthed at the Unity module's nadir port, demonstrating advanced rendezvous and docking capabilities.
- **Short Mission Duration**: Completed its resupply objectives in under four months, from launch to atmospheric re-entry.
- **International Collaboration**: Manufactured with contributions from both Northrop Grumman (U.S.) and Thales Alenia Space (Italy), highlighting global partnerships in space exploration.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cygnus NG-16 was the 16th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. The mission was operated by Northrop Grumman Space Systems, using the Cygnus Enhanced spacecraft and an Antares launch vehicle.

### Launch and Ascent
- **Launch Date**: August 10, 2021, at 22:01:05 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A, Virginia, USA.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Antares rocket (version 15), produced by Northrop Grumman.

### Spacecraft Details
- **Spacecraft Model**: Cygnus Enhanced, an uncrewed cargo spacecraft.
- **Mass at Launch**: 8,050 kg.
- **Payload Mass**: 3,723 kg of cargo, including scientific experiments, crew supplies, and hardware.
- **Manufacturers**:
  - Northrop Grumman Space Systems (general contractor).
  - Thales Alenia Space (subcontractor, responsible for the pressurized cargo module).

### Mission Timeline
- **Berthing**: August 12, 2021, at 13:42 UTC at the ISS Unity module's nadir port.
- **Unberthing**: November 20, 2021, at 13:40 UTC.
- **Atmospheric Re-entry**: December 15, 2021, marking the end of the mission.

### Scientific and Operational Contributions
Cygnus NG-16 delivered critical supplies and experiments to the ISS, supporting ongoing research in microgravity, biology, and materials science. The mission also facilitated the disposal of waste from the ISS upon its destructive re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

### Naming and Legacy
The spacecraft was named *S.S. Ellison Onizuka* in tribute to Ellison Onizuka, a NASA astronaut who died in the *Challenger* disaster in 1986. This naming convention honors pioneers in space exploration and underscores the mission's connection to historical achievements in human spaceflight.

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/nasa-commercial-resupply-mission-ng-16)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=49064)
4. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.796.txt)
5. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.800.txt)
6. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/other-space-activities/cygnus-ng-crs-16)