AI Insight
NASA announced the scheduled departure of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft from the International Space Station on October 9, 2026, following the successful delivery of over 11,000 pounds of supplies and science experiments as part of the CRS-24 mission. The spacecraft, which arrived on April 13, 2026 after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, will be released using the Canadarm2 robotic arm and will perform a destructive deorbit on October 11, burning up safely in Earth's atmosphere with disposal cargo aboard.
Why it matters
This mission demonstrates the continued operational success of commercial resupply services to the ISS, essential for maintaining ongoing scientific research and crew support in low Earth orbit. The partnership between NASA and commercial providers like Northrop Grumman ensures reliable cargo delivery capabilities for the space station.
Understand the Science
After delivering more than 11,000 pounds of supplies, science experiments, and other cargo to the International Space Station for NASA, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft is scheduled to depart Friday, Oct. 9, as part of the company’s Commercial Resupply Services-24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24.
Watch NASA’s live coverage of undocking and departure beginning at 12:30 p.m. EDT through a variety of platforms. Learn where to watch online:
Flight controllers on the ground will send commands for the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the Cygnus XL spacecraft from the Unity module’s Earth-facing port and maneuver it into position for release at 12:45 p.m. NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will monitor the operation from aboard the orbital complex.
Loaded with thousands of pounds of disposal items and other unneeded cargo, Cygnus XL will deorbit Sunday, Oct. 11, for a destructive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will safely burn up. NASA will not provide coverage of the spacecraft’s deorbit.
The resupply spacecraft launched on April 11 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Learn more about this NASA commercial resupply mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/nasas-northrop-grumman-crs-24/
-end-
Josh Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
Sandra Jones
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov
Source: NASA to Cover Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Spacecraft Departure