NASA Cargo Launches to Space Station on Northrop Grumman CRS-24

Cygnus XL spacecraft carries over 11,000 pounds of science experiments and supplies to the orbiting laboratory.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:08am

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting in muted tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific processes behind a cargo spacecraft launch to the International Space Station.An abstract visualization of the intricate systems and forces that enable the successful launch and delivery of critical cargo to the International Space Station.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA's Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24, successfully launched on April 11, 2026, delivering a Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station. The Cygnus XL spacecraft, named the S.S. Steven R. Nagel, is carrying approximately 11,000 pounds of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and crew supplies to the orbiting laboratory.

Why it matters

The Cygnus XL resupply mission is carrying dozens of important research experiments that will advance scientific understanding in areas like quantum computing, space weather modeling, and human health in microgravity. These investigations build on the hundreds of studies conducted aboard the International Space Station, which serves as a unique orbiting laboratory for advancing science and technology.

The details

The Cygnus XL spacecraft launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After a two-day journey, the spacecraft is scheduled to be captured by the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm on Monday, April 13, and then installed on the Unity module's Earth-facing port for cargo unloading. The Cygnus XL will remain at the space station until October before departing and burning up in Earth's atmosphere.

  • The Cygnus XL spacecraft launched on April 11, 2026 at 7:41 a.m. EDT.
  • The spacecraft is scheduled to be captured by the space station's robotic arm on Monday, April 13 at 12:50 p.m. EDT.
  • The Cygnus XL will remain at the space station until October 2026.

The players

Northrop Grumman

An American global aerospace and defense technology company that provides a range of innovative systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.

SpaceX

A private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk. SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, including the Falcon 9 launch vehicle used to send the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.

International Space Station

A modular space station in low Earth orbit, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields.

Jack Hathaway

A NASA astronaut who will operate the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus XL spacecraft.

Chris Williams

A NASA astronaut who will also operate the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus XL spacecraft.

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What’s next

The Cygnus XL spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the International Space Station until October 2026, when it will depart and dispose of thousands of pounds of trash through its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The takeaway

The successful launch and upcoming arrival of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station marks another important milestone in NASA's ongoing efforts to support critical scientific research and technological advancements in the unique microgravity environment of low Earth orbit.