CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket carrying Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida has been scheduled for a 30-minute launch window that opens at 11:11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

World’s First 360-degree Live Stream

This will be the world’s first live 360-degree stream of a rocket launch. The live 360 stream of the cargo resupply mission liftoff to the International Space Station may be viewed on the NASA Television YouTube channel starting 10 minutes prior to lift off.

YouTube supports playback of 360-degree videos on computers using Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera browsers. Viewers may use the YouTube app to view the launch on a smart phone. Those who own virtual reality headsets will be able to look around and experience the view as if they were actually standing on the launch pad.

Launch Weather 90% ‘GO’

According to the latest weather forecast from the United States Air Force 45th Weather Squadron, there is an 90% percent chance overall of acceptable weather conditions for Tuesday’s launch.  The primary weather concern for launch is cumulus clouds.

Orbital ATK Mission

This mission marks the third launch of a Cygnus spacecraft aboard an Atlas V rocket and will be Orbital ATK’s seventh operational mission (OA-7) to the International Space Station for NASA under the Commercial Resupply Services contract. The mission also marks the debut of the enhanced Cygnus, which will carry approximately 7,225 kilogram (15,928 pounds) of cargo to the International Space Station.

The Atlas V rocket will place the spacecraft on a precise path to reach the space station about four days after launch. Cygnus will then approach close enough for the station’s 55-foot-long robotic arm to grapple the supply craft and connect it to one of the ports on the orbiting laboratory.

The spacecraft, powered by its own set of solar arrays, will remain connected to the station until June. During that time, astronauts will unload the Cygnus, including research dedicated to range of fields such as astronomy, biology, crystal growth and technology development. The spacecraft also will carry an advanced plant habitat for growing vegetables in orbit.