Crew Preps for Cygnus XL Cargo Mission Targeted for Saturday Launch

NASA flight engineers Chris Williams and Jack Hathaway joined each other in the cupola on Friday and practiced capturing Cygnus XL during a computer simulation using the robotics workstation. Williams and Hathaway trained to use the workstation's control panel and hand controllers to maneuver the Canadarm2. The duo watched camera views simulating the Cygnus XL approaching the station and prepared for different capture scenarios.

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Williams will be at the controls of the robotics workstation on Monday maneuvering the Canadarm2 to capture Cygnus XL while Hathaway monitors the spacecraft's approach and rendezvous. Following its capture, mission controllers will take over and remotely command the Canadarm2 to install Cygnus XL to the Unity module's Earth-facing port where it will stay for a six-month mission.