Universal Space Network Supports Orbital Sciences’ Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station

Horsham, PA, (Aug. 18, 2014) – Universal Space Network (USN) and its collaborative partners, SSC Satellite Management Services and Telespazio, successfully provided ground networking support for the second mission of Orbital’s Orb-2 Cygnus spacecraft.

The spacecraft completed its rendezvous maneuvers and berthed with the International Space Station (ISS) on July 16, delivering 1,664 kilograms of cargo, experiments and supplies for ISS operations. USN, SSC and Telespazio provided critical communications links while the spacecraft was in transit and continued to deliver vital support until Cygnus departed the ISS on Aug. 15. 

USN, SSC and Telespazio are proud to be a part this important transition to commercial provisioning of the ISS, which is essential to the station’s ongoing operations and success. 

The Orb-2 mission is the second of eight resupply missions to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with Orbital Sciences. USN was contracted to provide ground network services for all mission phases. 

About Universal Space Network, Inc. 

Universal Space Network, Inc. (USN) is a U.S. based independent subsidiary of SSC with US government approval and oversight.  USN’s extensive ground network supports mission-critical operations such as real-time Telemetry, Tracking & Commanding, as well as ensuring valuable payload data is received/distributed securely for users. USN provides the necessary ground-based infrastructure, including mission assurance and data security, to ensure success of any space-based platform.  At USN and SSC, “We help Earth benefit from Space.”  www.sscspace.com/usn