Antares 230 (Northrop Grumman Space Systems)
The Antares 230 is a non-reusable, inactive launch vehicle manufactured by Northrop Grumman Space Systems (established in 2015). It undertook its inaugural launch on 10/17/2016.
Antares known during early development as Taurus II, is an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems after Northrop Grumman acquired Orbital ATK) and the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau to launch the Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA's COTS and CRS programs. Able to launch payloads heavier than 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) into low-Earth orbit, Antares is the largest rocket operated by Orbital ATK. Antares launches from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and made its inaugural flight on April 21, 2013.
Antares 230 Specifications
| Variant | 230 |
|---|---|
| Length | 42.5 m |
| Diameter | 3.9 m |
| Stages | 3 |
| Launch Mass | 286 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 3844 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 7800 kg |
Antares 230 Launch Record
| Total Launches | 5 |
|---|---|
| Successful Launches | 5 |
| Consecutive Successful Launches | 5 |
Manufacturer
CEO: Kathy Warden
Northrup Grumman Space Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defence and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. They aquired Orbital ATK in 2018 along with its launchers and ongoing missions.
Program
Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) are a series of flights awarded by NASA for the delivery of cargo and supplies to the International Space Station.The first CRS contracts were signed in 2008 and awarded $1.6 billion to SpaceX for twelve cargo Dragon and $1.9 billion to Orbital Sciences for eight Cygnus flights, covering deliveries to 2016. The Falcon 9 and Antares rockets were also developed under the CRS program to deliver cargo spacecraft to the ISS.