ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

The Cygnus supply spacecraft hurtled towards Earth ahead of a dramatic re-entry after being released from the International Space Station on Tuesday (February 18). Images from NASA showed the spacecraft detaching from the station's robotic arm at 0641 est (1141gmt).

Cygnus is scheduled to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on Wednesday (February 19) where it will self-destruct over the Pacific Ocean.

Cygnus arrived at the space station in January, carrying 2,780 pounds (1,261 kilograms) of supplies that included dozens of new science experiments, hardware and provisions for the crew.