DULLES, Va. – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s first Cygnus XL spacecraft successfully launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in support of NASA’s commercial resupply missions.
NG-23 marks the inaugural flight of the Cygnus XL spacecraft, an expanded version of Northrop Grumman’s vehicle, with 33% more cargo capacity than the previous variant. NG-23 is carrying over 11,000 pounds of equipment, science experiments and supplies to the crew aboard the space station. Since its first flight in 2013, Cygnus has delivered more than 71,000 kg (approximately 148,000 pounds) of cargo to the International Space Station.
Ryan Tintner, vice president, civil space systems, Northrop Grumman, said "Our Cygnus XL is another step towards a thriving commercial space economy. The spacecraft carries more cargo, making each mission more efficient. We’ve supported NASA and the space station for decades, and we know what it takes to develop advanced capabilities for exploring space.”
Since 2022, Cygnus has provided reboost services to help the station maintain its orbit, with the opportunity for more during this mission based on NASA’s needs. Cygnus XL incorporates several Northrop Grumman-manufactured components, such as avionics and power modules, harness assemblies, UltraFlex solar arrays, spacecraft structures, propulsion tanks and loop heat pipe radiators for temperature control.
