SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launches Northrop Grumman’s Largest-ever Cargo Freighter to the ISS

On September 14, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman’s new Cygnus XL cargo freighter on its debut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:11 p.m. EDT.

The Cygnus XL spacecraft is a larger and more capable version of the veteran Cygnus cargo vessel, designed to carry up to 11,000 pounds (nearly 5,000 kilograms) of supplies and equipment to the ISS, marking a 33% increase in cargo capacity compared to its predecessor.

This mission, dubbed NG-23, is Northrop Grumman’s 23rd resupply flight for NASA under its Commercial Resupply Services contract.

The Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage booster, B1094, completed its fourth flight, having formerly supported Starlink satellite launches and crewed missions such as Axiom Mission 4 and NASA’s Crew-11.

About eight minutes after liftoff, the booster landed smoothly at Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral, marking one of the final landings at this historic site before SpaceX’s new landing pad at SLC-40 becomes operational in early 2026.

Approximately fourteen and a half minutes into flight, the Cygnus XL separated from the Falcon 9’s second stage. It deployed two circular UltraFlex solar arrays successfully about 90 minutes later, enabling it to commence its over two-day journey to the ISS.

NASA plans to use the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture and berth Cygnus XL to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port on September 17.

This mission brings essential supplies for ongoing scientific research, technology demonstrations, and station operations.

Notable payload items include materials to grow semiconductor crystals in microgravity, equipment to improve cryogenic fuel tanks, a specialized ultraviolet light system to prevent microbial growth in water systems, and pharmaceutical components aimed at drug development for cancer and other diseases.

The successful launch further cements SpaceX’s critical role in supporting the ISS and highlights advancements in spacecraft capacity and reusability. With Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL and SpaceX’s Falcon 9 collaboration, NASA’s resupply missions continue to strengthen human spaceflight infrastructure and scientific discovery.

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