The first of nine Pressurized Cargo Modules (PCM), developed by Thales Alenia Space for Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus spacecraft to carry supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) and launched last September 18, has successfully completed the berthing operation at the Station and the hatch is now open.

Cygnus - Pressurized Cargo Modules

For the first time, 50 percent of habitable volume of the International Space Station, or seven pressurized modules developed by one company, Thales Alenia Space, are simultaneously attached to the ISS. After the ATV docking in June, the berthing of Cygnus yesterday, and considering the permanent elements (Node 2 Harmony, Node 3 Tranquility, Columbus, Cupola and PMM Leonardo.

The Cygnus maneuvering spacecraft is being developed by Orbital Space Science to demonstrate cargo delivery under NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement. In addition to the COTS development and demonstration program, Orbital will utilize the Cygnus to perform the ISS resupply flights under the Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) contract. This NASA contract authorizes eight missions between 2011 and 2015 carrying approximately 20,000 Kg of cargo to the ISS as well as disposal of ISS waste

The Cygnus system is a low-risk design incorporating elements drawn from Orbital and its partners’ existing, flight-proven spacecraft technologies. Cygnus consists of a common service module and a pressurized cargo module.

Thales Alenia Space Italia under contract to Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) will design, develop, —including equipment, spare parts, scientific experiments and other items – to the International Space Station (ISS). The pressurized cargo module is based on the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM).

Using a staggered delivery schedule, a total of nine PCMs will be provided to Orbital for cargo loading and integration with the Orbital Service Module (SM). The series of nine pressurized modules will start with one unit being built for the Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) demonstration mission, followed by two “standard” configuration units, and be completed with six “enhanced” configuration units.

The SM/PCM, known jointly as the Cygnus, will be launched by the Orbital Taurus® II and captured and berthed to the ISS at the Node 2 Nadir Port. After completion of the ISS mission the Cygnus will be de-orbited for a destructive re-entry.