Cygnus XL has been cleared to continue its approach to the International Space Station after an onboard software safeguard halted two orbit-raising burns earlier in the rendezvous sequence. The Northrop Grumman cargo spacecraft is now on track for a near-term capture using the station’s Canadarm2, with installation to follow on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port.
Mission status and capture timeline
NASA reports live coverage is underway for the robotic capture, targeted for approximately 7:18 a.m. EDT. Following capture operations led by Expedition 73 flight engineers Jonny Kim (primary) and Zena Cardman (assist), ground controllers will command the arm to maneuver Cygnus to its berthing point on the Unity module. NASA indicates additional live programming will continue through installation, beginning across agency platforms from 8 a.m. EDT, with dedicated installation coverage expected at 8:25 a.m. EDT.
Safeguard-triggered shutdown and recovery
On Sept. 16, Cygnus XL’s main engine shut down earlier than planned during two orbit-raising burns. According to NASA, the early cutoff was triggered by a conservative software safeguard. The arrival sequence was delayed while NASA and Northrop Grumman teams evaluated an alternate approach plan. With analyses complete, flight controllers have cleared the spacecraft to proceed to final approach and capture.
Launch, cargo, and mission details
Cygnus XL launched at 6:11 p.m. EDT on Sept. 14 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The spacecraft is delivering more than 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations, hardware, and crew provisions under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract, designated CRS-23 for Northrop Grumman.
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 (SpaceX)
- Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Destination port: Unity module, Earth-facing berthing
- Cargo: >11,000 lb of research, hardware, and supplies
What to watch next
Post-capture activities include the robotic arm’s handoff to align Cygnus with the Unity port and standard berthing operations. After structural bolts are driven and leak checks are complete, the station crew will begin unloading time-sensitive research and logistics to support Expedition 73 operations.
For official updates and live coverage links, see NASA’s status post: Cygnus Resupply Ship Approaching Station for Capture.
