Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus CRS-23 cargo mission is set to deliver a new slate of technology and biomedical investigations to the International Space Station, targeting mid-September launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. The flight advances in-space manufacturing, microbial control for life-support systems, pharmaceutical crystallization, and cryogenic propellant handling—capabilities aligned with Artemis objectives and future Mars-bound operations, with measurable benefits on Earth.
Key research heading to the ISS
- Semiconductor crystal growth: Scaling microgravity-enabled production for higher-performance, more reliable electronics.
- UV biofilm control: Testing fiber-delivered ultraviolet light to suppress biofilms in spacecraft water systems.
- Pharmaceutical crystals: Growing larger, more uniform drug crystals and using them as seeds for Earth-based manufacturing.
- Cryogenic tank pressure control: Demonstrating non-condensable gas barriers to reduce propellant boil-off and conserve fuel.
In-space semiconductor crystals
Researchers will refine space-based growth of complex semiconductor crystals using station facilities such as SUBSA. Microgravity mitigates convection and sedimentation, enabling purer, larger crystals that are difficult to replicate on Earth. Prior space-grown lots have shown substantial gains in device performance and yield versus Earth-grown baselines, according to the investigation team. Target applications include radiation-hardened, low-power, high-speed electronics and sensors. Potential terrestrial uses span electric vehicles, waste-heat recovery, and medical equipment.
UV light against biofilms
The GULBI investigation studies how microgravity influences the effectiveness of germicidal ultraviolet light in preventing biofilm formation in water loops. Custom optical fibers deliver UV precisely to surfaces where microbes form communities that can corrode hardware, disrupt sensors, and threaten water quality. Because biofilms can behave differently in microgravity, the study will map how UV penetration and DNA damage pathways change off Earth, informing chemical-free, targeted disinfection strategies for spacecraft and for hospitals, homes, and industrial systems on the ground.
Seeding better pharmaceuticals
Using a specialized on-orbit pharmaceutical lab (ADSEP PIL-11), the mission will grow crystals of drug candidates linked to cardiovascular, immunologic, and neurodegenerative conditions, as well as oncology. Crystal morphology affects manufacturability, stability, and dosing. Investigators plan to analyze returned samples and deploy the space-grown crystals as seeds to produce larger batches on Earth, evaluating whether microgravity-enabled seeding systematically improves quality and throughput across multiple compounds while expanding commercial biotech use of low Earth orbit.
Managing cryogenic propellants
The ZBOT-NC experiment evaluates a non-condensable-gas barrier inside cryogenic tanks to stabilize pressure and reduce boil-off during storage and transfer. Traditional pre-chill methods consume valuable propellant and are poorly suited for long-duration missions. By introducing a gas layer that remains gaseous at low temperatures, the approach aims to control vapor-liquid interfaces and suppress heat-driven losses. Modeling and prior testing suggest significant propellant savings per year, supporting lighter, more efficient cryogenic storage systems for Artemis logistics, cislunar depots, and deep-space transits.
Mission outlook
Cygnus CRS-23, Northrop Grumman’s 23rd commercial resupply mission, is planned to launch on a Falcon 9 and deliver these payloads for multiweek operations aboard the ISS. Results are expected to inform hardware designs, scale-up strategies, and operational protocols that can be translated to both space and terrestrial markets. Additional information is available in the NASA mission research overview.
