The vessel is carrying 8,000 pounds (3,629 kilograms) of cargo, including science payloads, parts for the life support system, and items for the station’s toilet, as well as additional “alternate sleep accommodations”, as the regular crew of the station has increased from six to seven members.

The spacecraft will be caught by the ISS’ robotic arm, operated by Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi, while American Michael Hopkins will monitor the operation.

Cygnus was developed by the Orbital Sciences Corporation and is now operated by Northrop Grumman Space Systems as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) programme. This flight is the 15th resupply mission to the International Space Station for Cygnus spacecrafts.