Private Spacecraft Successfully Launched as Part of Space Station Supply Mission

Space tech company Orbital Sciences has successfully launched its cargo capsule destined for the International Space Station.

The unmanned space freighter, known as Cygnus, was carried into orbit Wednesday aboard the Antares rocket as part of a demonstration flight that, if successful, will mark a major milestone not only for the company, but NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program as well.

Started in 2006, COTS invests "financial and technical resources to stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate safe, reliable and cost effective space transportation capabilities."

However, Elon Musk's SpaceX is currently the only COTS company to have successfully transported cargo to the orbiting lab so far. Cygnus, currently traveling at 17,500 mph through Earth's orbit, looks as though it will make Orbital the second.

Such a success would represent a significant step in the business of supplying cargo -- and eventually astronauts -- into orbit, according to James Muncy, a commercial space policy consultant. "When two companies have done it, it will prove that we have an industry, not just one success," he told USA Today.

According to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, the launch marked "a milestone in our new era of exploration as we expand the capability for making cargo launches to the International Space Station from American shores."

Cygnus and its 1,300 pounds of cargo are scheduled to rendezvous with the International Space Station Sept. 22.

Meanwhile, the station's crew is preparing for the vehicle's arrival, with all three participating in onboard training in the case of an emergency.

"It's a new vehicle, and you have to expect that something could go wrong, and you have to be ready for all scenarios," Nyberg told the Associated Press on Monday.  

In all, Orbital is committed through a $1.9 billion contract to conduct a total of eight planned cargo resupply flights to the lab.