Northrop Grumman’s biggest-ever cargo spacecraft arrives at ISS on its debut mission

Northrop Grumman’s new Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sept. 18, a day after a thruster issue delayed its docking.

Astronaut Jonny Kim used the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the freighter, which launched on Sept. 14 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida.

This NG-23 mission, the first Cygnus XL flight, delivered about 11,000 pounds of supplies—more than previous Cygnus missions—including materials for semiconductor and pharmaceutical research, cryogenic fuel tank improvements, and a UV system to control microbes in water.

Named S.S. William “Willie” McCool in honor of the fallen Columbia astronaut, the spacecraft will remain at the ISS until March 2026 before deorbiting, Space.com has reported.

The mission marks Northrop Grumman’s 23rd cargo delivery to the station and its first in over a year.