[SatNews] Andrews Space (Andrews) has successfully delivered the first of four fight-qualified Cargo Module Power Units (CMPUs) that will supply power to payloads aboard Orbital's Cygnus spacecraft.

Andrews was contracted by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) in September 2010 to deliver three flight-qualified CMPUs, which power mid-deck locker payloads destined for the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Cygnus cargo vehicle. Under the $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA, Orbital will fly eight missions between 2012 and 2015, delivering 20,000 kilograms of cargo to the ISS. The recently delivered CMPU will provide up to 150 Watts of 28VDC payload power and will be used on the first CRS mission scheduled for early 2012. Orbital recently contracted for a fourth flight unit. All units will be delivered by the end of June 2011.