NG-24 Commercial Resupply Services

Today, April 11, 2026, at 7:41am EST, NASA's Commercial Resupply Services 24 (NG-24) mission successfully launched Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL spacecraft. Cygnus XL was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) in Florida.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launching the Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL. Credit: Spacepoint

This launch marks the 23rd successful Northrop Grumman commercial resupply launch for NASA. It also marks the second flight of Cygnus XL, a solar powered resupply spacecraft which carries 33% more cargo than the previous Cygnus version. Cygnus XL will deliver approximately 11,000 pounds of vital crew supplies, food, equipment, and scientific research to Expedition 74 NASA astronauts currently on the International Space Station (ISS). Key science experiments span dark matter, blood stem cell production, and astronaut health.

Cygnus XL is set to arrive at the International Space Station on Monday, April 13. When the it arrives at the ISS, the Canadarm2 Robotic Arm will catch the spacecraft and attach it to the ISS. Once complete astronauts aboard the ISS will unload the spacecraft.

"Since 2013, Northrop Grumman delivered more than 158,000 pounds of essential supplies, experiments and equipment to the International Space Station."  Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL Spacecraft on approach to the ISS. Credit: NASA

This is the second launch for NASA this year, following the NASA/SpaceX Crew-12 mission in February, and also marks the 27^th overall orbital launch for SpaceX in 2026. Northrop Grumman NG-25 is currently slated for later in 2026.