NASA to Air Northrop Grumman Cargo Craft Departure

Cygnus XL spacecraft to depart International Space Station after delivering over 11,000 pounds of supplies.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft, loaded with more than 11,000 pounds of science and supplies for Expedition 73, is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Thursday, March 12. NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure beginning at 6:45 a.m. EDT. The Cygnus XL spacecraft launched in September 2025 and is the first flight of the larger, more cargo-capable version of the solar-powered spacecraft.

Why it matters

The successful delivery and departure of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft is an important milestone for NASA's ongoing efforts to resupply the International Space Station and support the critical scientific research being conducted in orbit.

The details

The Cygnus XL spacecraft, supporting Northrop Grumman's 23rd Commercial Resupply Services mission, will be detached from the Unity module's Earth-facing port by the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm and maneuvered into position for release at 7 a.m. ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will monitor the spacecraft's systems as it departs. Cygnus XL will then be commanded to deorbit on Saturday, March 14, to dispose of several thousand pounds of trash during its reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

  • The Cygnus XL spacecraft launched in September 2025 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
  • The Cygnus XL spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Cygnus XL will be commanded to deorbit on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Northrop Grumman

An American aerospace and defense technology company that built the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft.

Sophie Adenot

A European Space Agency astronaut who will monitor the Cygnus XL spacecraft's systems as it departs the International Space Station.

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What’s next

The Cygnus XL spacecraft will be commanded to deorbit on Saturday, March 14, 2026, to dispose of several thousand pounds of trash during its reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

The takeaway

The departure of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft marks another successful resupply mission to the International Space Station, highlighting NASA's ongoing efforts to support critical scientific research in orbit through partnerships with commercial space companies.