The Orbital ATK Inc (NYSE:OA) VA rocket launch is taking place later today.
The vessel was originally slated to make its way toward space on Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET, but it had to be pushed back due to a ground support equipment cable not working as expected during a test.
Here are seven things you should know about the Orbital VA rocket launch:
- Pending on what the weather looks like, the rocket may launch today at 7:40 p.m. ET out of a Virginia launch pad.
- It will be the first time in two years that an Antares rocket takes flight out of the Eastern Shore of the state.
- Russian RD-181 engines are powering the rocket to space.
- From satellites to supplies and even science experiments, the VA rocket launch will carry 28,700 kilograms of space cargo to the International Space Station.
- The last Orbital Antares rocket to take flight came two years ago, on Oct. 2014. The result was disastrous as the ship exploded as it left.
- The new rocket is an upgraded and improved version of the rocket that imploded in a catastrophic fireball.
- The event can be seen live for residents of South Carolina all the way up to Massachusetts as the rocket will make quite a splash as it leaves the Earth’s atmosphere.
You can live stream the event here.
OA shares popped 1.2% Monday.