Dulles, Va. – Oct. 4, 2022
Cygnus Spacecraft
Cygnus Spacecraft
Delivery service in space. That’s Defining Possible.
Why is Cygnus Unique?
The Cygnus system is a flight proven design incorporating elements drawn from Northrop Grumman and its partners’ existing, flight-proven spacecraft technologies. Cygnus consists of a service module and a pressurized cargo module. The Cygnus spacecraft is used to carry crew supplies, spare equipment and scientific experiments to the space station. The service module incorporates advanced avionics developed by Northrop Grumman and guidance and navigation components that allow for fully autonomous rendezvous with the space station. The avionics design fully meets all of the demanding NASA safety requirements imposed on human-rated vehicles. The pressurized cargo module is manufactured by Thales Alenia Space specifically for Cygnus.
To the ISS and Beyond
Cygnus Pioneers a New Economy in Low-Earth Orbit
Currently, Northrop Grumman uses Cygnus to perform International Space Station resupply flights under the second Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. Beginning in 2014, Cygnus has carried more than 70,000 pounds (31,500 kg) of critical cargo to the station under the first CRS-1 contract. In November 2019, the company flew the first CRS-2 mission, NG-12, and will carry out a minimum of five additional missions under this contract.
The Cygnus vehicle provides a number of advanced capabilities during these cargo resupply missions. The spacecraft has already demonstrated a number of these, including the launch of cube satellites from external deployers, the delivery of live rodents to the station, the ability to act as laboratory space while docked to the station, boosting the station’s orbit and flying in orbit separately from the station for more than one year.
Highlights of Cygnus Launches and Milestones
Northrop Grumman Awarded NASA Contract to Provide First Crew Module for Artemis Program Gateway
Company adapts proven Cygnus technology for human habitation
Northrop Grumman Set to Launch NG-13 Cygnus Spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA
WALLOPS, Va. – Feb. 7, 2020
Northrop Grumman Set to Launch 12th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station for NASA
DULLES, Va. – Nov. 1, 2019
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft Departs International Space Station, Begins Secondary Mission
Dulles, Va. – Aug. 6, 2019
Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Completes Rendezvous and Berthing with International Space Station
Dulles, Va. – April 19, 2019
Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches 11th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station for NASA
Dulles, Va. – April 17, 2019