The Icing on the Cake

After loading Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus resupply capsule for a flight to the International Space Station, the last piece of the Antares rocket - the aerodynamic fairing - is placed snugly atop. Aerodynamic fairings are crucial for protecting the delicate spacecraft on its way through the thickest part of the atmosphere, but are jettisoned soon after as the rocket makes its way into space. This particular fairing was discarded on July 11th as part of a successful launch from NASA’s Wallops Island launch facility in Virginia.