Cygnus-PCM (enhanced)

Cygnus (enhanced PCM version) [OSC]

Orbital and NASA's Johnson Space Center are jointly developing a new space transportation system in a three-year cooperative program to support the International Space Station (ISS). The COTS program will involve full-scale development and flight demonstration of a commercial cargo delivery system. The COTS system will consist of:

• Antares, a new medium-class launch vehicle being developed by Orbital
• Cygnus, an advanced maneuvering spacecraft, and
• Several interchangeable modules for pressurized and unpressurized cargo.

The Spacecraft consists of a Service Module (SM), which can be used with either a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) or an Unpressurized Cargo Module (UCM) (now cancelled). The PCM is based on the MPLM-Logistics-Module, while the UCM is based on the Express Cargo Carrier, which were both used with the Shuttle. The PCM will be manufactured by Thales-Alenia.

The enhanced Cygnus spacecraft will be capable of delivering up to 2,700 kg of pressurized cargo to the ISS.

The enhanced Cygnus will be used beginning with the fifth Cygnus mission.