Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft won’t dock with the International Space Station (ISS) as planned. NASA announced that the spacecraft’s main engine faced issues during two key burns meant to raise its orbit. The specifics of the engine problems were not shared.
Despite this setback, NASA reassured that all other systems on the Cygnus XL are functioning normally. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim was set to use the Canadarm2 to capture the spacecraft, but the mission plans are currently under review.
The Cygnus XL, named S.S. William ‘Willie’ C. McCool, launched on September 14, 2025, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. After launch, it successfully deployed its solar arrays about an hour and a half later.
This mission, known as NG-23, marks the debut of the larger Cygnus XL, which is 1.6 meters longer than its predecessor. According to Ryan Tinter, a Northrop Grumman executive, this new design allows for 33% more capacity, allowing for heavier cargo loads. It’s vital for delivering scientific experiments and reducing costs per mission.
The Cygnus XL is carrying over 11,000 pounds of supplies, including food and equipment for astronauts aboard the ISS. Dina Contella, from NASA, highlighted the need to stock up on essentials like oxygen and spare parts to avoid shortages experienced in the past.
Earlier this year, NASA had to adjust its cargo delivery schedule due to damage to another Cygnus spacecraft intended for a previous mission. This prompted shifts in other supply missions to maintain adequate reserves aboard the station.
Historically, NASA aims to keep four months’ worth of supplies available to avoid shortages from potential launch delays. Recent efforts to bolster supplies involved adding more items to SpaceX’s CRS-32 mission that successfully launched in August.
As Northrop Grumman and SpaceX continue to operate under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract, they represent U.S. efforts to maintain a steady flow of cargo to the ISS. Each has faced challenges in their early missions, but both have since made significant progress.
Looking ahead, another cargo mission featuring the HTV-X spacecraft is planned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch on October 21. This cooperation with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) expands international partnerships in space supply missions.
Exploring the complexities of these missions highlights ongoing developments and challenges in space exploration. It underscores the importance of reliability in technology and the collaborative efforts required to sustain human life beyond Earth.
