NASA and Northrop Grumman, in collaboration with SpaceX, have announced their plans for the 20th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Cygnus cargo spacecraft, carrying over 8,200 pounds of supplies, is set to launch on Tuesday, January 30, at 12:07 p.m. EST, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The live launch coverage will begin on various platforms, including NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website, starting at 11:50 a.m. on Friday, January 26. The launch will mark another significant delivery of science investigations, equipment, and supplies to support the agency and its partners in their research aboard the orbital laboratory.

Upon its launch, the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, carried by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is expected to reach the ISS on Thursday, February 1. NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli will be responsible for capturing Cygnus using the station's robotic arm, with NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara serving as backup. The spacecraft will then be installed on the Earth-facing port of the Unity module.

This mission will include several exciting research highlights. Among them is the introduction of the first surgical robot on the space station, demonstrating the potential for medical advancements in future space missions. Additionally, an orbit re-entry platform will collect valuable data on thermal protection systems, further enhancing astronaut safety during re-entry. Another notable facility is the MSTIC, an autonomous semiconductor manufacturing platform with vast opportunities for technological advancements in space.

The Cygnus spacecraft will remain docked at the ISS until May before it safely burns up in the Earth's atmosphere. Named the S.S. Patricia "Patty" Hilliard Robertson, after a former NASA astronaut, the spacecraft is a testament to the dedication and contributions of women in space exploration.

To offer comprehensive coverage of this mission, NASA has planned a series of events. These include a science webinar hosted by the International Space Station National Lab on Tuesday, January 30, at 1 p.m., featuring distinguished participants from NASA and other organizations involved in space research. Furthermore, a prelaunch media teleconference will take place on the same day at 6:30 p.m., featuring key figures from NASA, SpaceX, and Northrop Grumman, among others.

NASA's coverage of the mission will be aired as per the following schedule: rendezvous coverage beginning at 2:45 a.m., capture coverage at 4:15 a.m., and installation operations coverage at 5:45 a.m., all in Eastern Time. The agency will provide simultaneous coverage through their website, offering live streaming and blog updates as countdown milestones occur.

As space exploration continues to unfold, this resupply mission to the International Space Station marks another significant step forward in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and scientific advancements in space.