Northrop Grumman Launches Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft to ISS

The NG-24 mission delivers nearly 11,000 pounds of supplies and experiments to the International Space Station.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:20pm

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of green, blue, and orange, conceptually representing the complex systems and forces involved in the launch and operation of a modern cargo spacecraft.Northrop Grumman's latest Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft blasts off to the International Space Station, showcasing the company's advancements in sustainable space logistics.Cape Canaveral Today

Northrop Grumman Corporation has launched its second Cygnus XL spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The NG-24 mission is carrying nearly 11,000 pounds of equipment, science experiments, and essential supplies to the crew aboard the International Space Station.

Why it matters

The Cygnus XL spacecraft is designed to deliver critical orbital reboost capabilities, helping maintain the stability and longevity of the International Space Station. This latest launch marks continued momentum in Northrop Grumman's commercial resupply and logistics services, which have delivered over 158,000 pounds of vital cargo to the ISS since the program's inaugural flight in 2013.

The details

The Cygnus XL spacecraft, first flown in 2025, is the latest evolution of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus product line, offering 33 percent more cargo capacity than the previous variant. Manufactured in Virginia, Cygnus uses various Northrop Grumman-manufactured components, including avionics, power modules, solar arrays, and temperature control systems. For the NG-24 mission, the Cygnus XL spacecraft is named the S.S. Steven R. Nagel, honoring the distinguished Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut, and educator who flew four spaceflights and logged 723 hours in space.

  • The NG-24 Cygnus XL spacecraft launched on April 11, 2026 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The players

Northrop Grumman Corporation

A leading global aerospace and defense technology company that develops pioneering solutions to equip its customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe.

Steven R. Nagel

A distinguished Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut, and educator who flew four spaceflights, including commanding the mission that deployed the Gamma Ray Observatory, and logged a total of 723 hours in space.

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What they’re saying

“With every resupply mission, we're evolving our technology and proving that Northrop Grumman is the go-to partner for the future of the commercial low earth orbit economy. We're committed to remaining a reliable partner for humanity's exploration of space.”

— David Schiller, Vice President, Civil Space and Sciences, Northrop Grumman

The takeaway

Northrop Grumman's successful launch of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft demonstrates the company's continued leadership in commercial space logistics and its commitment to supporting the long-term operations and scientific research aboard the International Space Station.