Cygnus cargo craft makes historic hookup with space station

International Space Station

Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

Sep. 29, 2013 at 11:42 AM ET

NASA via AP

A video view from NASA TV shows the Cygnus cargo spacecraft attached to the International Space Station's Canadian-built robotic arm during its capture and berthing on Sunday. At the time, both vehicles were travelling over the Indian Ocean.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA's newest delivery service made its first-ever shipment to the International Space Station on Sunday, another triumph for the booming commercial space arena that has its sights set on launching astronauts.

Orbital Sciences Corp.'s unmanned cargo ship, the Cygnus, pulled up at the orbiting lab with a half-ton of meals and special treats for the station astronauts who assisted in the high-flying feat.

With the smooth linkup, Orbital Sciences of Virginia became only the second company to accomplish such a far-flung shipment. The California-based SpaceX company took the lead last year.

Historic dayNASA officials along with White House representatives declared it a historic day.

"It was just a very, very impressive job ... I just couldn't be happier and more proud," said the NASA manager overseeing this commercial effort, Alan Lindenmoyer.

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Cygnus cargo craft makes historic hookup with space station