SpaceX Launches Upgraded Cygnus XL Cargo Ship to the International Space Station
On Sunday, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the upgraded Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL cargo ship to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, designated NG-23, marks the debut of the larger and more capable Cygnus XL, carrying over 5 tons of vital supplies, science experiments, and crew provisions.
Mission Details and Launch
The Falcon 9 lifted off from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:11 a.m. EDT (2211 UTC). This marked the fourth flight for the first stage booster, B1094, which previously supported the Starlink 12-10, Axiom Mission 4, and Crew-11 missions. The booster successfully returned to Landing Zone 4 for its 14th recovery at that site, representing SpaceX's 505th booster landing to date.
Approximately 14 and a half minutes after liftoff, the Cygnus XL separated from the Falcon 9 upper stage to begin its solo journey to the ISS. The cargo freighter is scheduled to be captured and berthed to the space station on Wednesday, September 17, at 6:35 a.m. EDT (1035 UTC).
Introducing the Cygnus XL
The NG-23 mission introduces the Cygnus XL, an upgraded version of the Cygnus spacecraft. It is designed to carry 33 percent more cargo to the space station than previous iterations. According to Ryan Tinter, vice president of Civil Space Systems for Northrop Grumman, this enhancement allows for significantly more science and cargo delivery, driving down the cost per kilogram for NASA.
“It’s really critical because we can deliver significantly more science as well as we’re able to deliver a lot more cargo prelaunch, really trying to drive down the cost per kilogram to NASA,” said Ryan Tinter, vice president of Civil Space Systems for Northrop Grumman.
This particular flight features over 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg) of food, science, and supplies, including holiday treats for the station crew. The spacecraft is expected to remain docked to the space station until around March 2026.
Cargo and Experiments
Among the cargo aboard the Cygnus XL are materials for producing semiconductor crystals in space, equipment for improving cryogenic fuel tanks, a specialized UV light system to prevent microbe growth in water systems, and supplies for producing pharmaceutical crystals that could treat cancer and other diseases. Other items include consumables like nitrogen, oxygen, food, and spare parts for the urine processor. The crew will also receive "specialties" like clams, oysters, crab, roast turkey, smoked salmon, candies, cookies, ice cream, and shakshuka scramble.
ISS Operations and Future Plans
The Cygnus XL will be temporarily unberthed from the space station using the outpost's robotic arm during the approach and docking of a crewed Russian Soyuz craft on November 27. Alternatively, mission managers may choose to fill the module with trash and release it before the Soyuz arrival. This marks the third of at least four SpaceX flights purchased by Northrop Grumman while they develop a new booster of their own.
Dina Contella, the deputy manager of NASA’s ISS Program stated, “We've been partnering with Northrop Grumman on this update, and we're excited that Northrop is ready to deliver this incredibly beneficial increase in capacity."
| Mission | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | NG-23 |
| Cargo Ship | Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL (S.S. William "Willie" McCool) |
| Rocket | SpaceX Falcon 9 |
| Launch Date | September 14 |
| Destination | International Space Station (ISS) |
| Arrival Date (Expected) | September 17 |
