SpaceX is set to launch Northrop Grumman's cutting-edge Cygnus XL cargo ship on its inaugural mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this evening, September 14. The highly anticipated launch will take place at 6:11 p.m. EDT (2211 GMT) from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Enthusiasts can watch the event live as both SpaceX and NASA will be streaming the launch, starting approximately 30 minutes before liftoff. For those interested, Space.com is expected to carry the agency's live feed if available.
The upcoming mission is designated as NG-23, marking the 23rd cargo delivery that Northrop Grumman will carry out for NASA to the ISS. This launch holds particular significance as it represents the first liftoff of the Cygnus XL since August 2024, following the previous mission, NG-21. Initially, NG-22 was scheduled for launch in January of this year; however, it faced delays until June due to avionics issues. Ultimately, in late March, NASA announced the cancellation of NG-22 due to damage sustained by the Cygnus during its transport to the launch site.
The NG-23 mission will highlight the debut of the Cygnus XL, an upgraded and more capable version of the traditional Cygnus freighter. The previous model was able to transport approximately 8,500 pounds (3,855 kilograms) of cargo to the ISS, whereas the Cygnus XL is set to carry an impressive 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg) on this flight.
Among the essential supplies aboard the freighter are materials intended for the production of semiconductor crystals in space, as well as equipment designed to enhance cryogenic fuel tanks. Additionally, NASA officials have noted that the spacecraft will deliver a specialized UV light system aimed at preventing the growth of microbe communities in water systems, along with supplies needed to produce pharmaceutical crystals that may aid in treating cancer and other diseases.
The NG-23 Cygnus XL, officially named S.S. William Willie McCool in honor of one of the NASA astronauts who tragically lost his life in the 2003 space shuttle Columbia accident, is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Wednesday, September 17, at 6:35 a.m. EDT (1035 GMT). Unlike previous missions that utilized autonomous docking, this launch will employ the Canadarm2, the ISS's robotic arm, to capture and grapple the spacecraft. NASA will also provide a live stream of this arrival event, starting at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT) on Wednesday.
The NG-23 Cygnus is expected to remain attached to the orbiting laboratory until March 2026, at which point it will depart to re-enter and burn up in Earth's atmosphere. This mission not only showcases the advancements in cargo transport technology but also reinforces the ongoing collaboration between SpaceX, NASA, and Northrop Grumman in advancing space exploration.
