A critical resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is currently in an uncertain state after a Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft experienced a main engine failure. The uncrewed vehicle, carrying a record 11,000 pounds of cargo, is unable to perform the necessary maneuvers to reach its destination.
NASA confirmed on Tuesday that the spacecraft's engine shut down earlier than planned following its launch on Sunday evening. Officials are now working to determine if the mission can be salvaged.
Key Takeaways
- The Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft suffered a premature engine shutdown on its maiden flight.
- The craft is carrying 11,000 pounds of supplies, the heaviest single cargo load ever sent to the ISS.
- The malfunction has prevented the spacecraft from adjusting its orbit to rendezvous with the space station.
- If the mission cannot be recovered, the spacecraft and its entire cargo will be directed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
Mission NG-23 Encounters Critical Failure
The mission, designated NG-23, began with a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Cygnus XL spacecraft was carried into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday evening. Initial phases of the flight proceeded as expected.
However, a significant problem arose when the spacecraft's own propulsion system was activated. According to a statement from NASA, the main engine of the Cygnus XL shut down prematurely. This engine is essential for making the precise orbital adjustments required to approach the International Space Station.
Without its main propulsion, the spacecraft is effectively stranded in its current orbit, unable to complete the journey. NASA has stated that a "new arrival date and time" for the spacecraft are "under review," indicating that engineers are exploring potential solutions.
A Maiden Voyage with High Stakes
This flight marked the first use of the Cygnus XL, an extended version of Northrop Grumman's proven Cygnus vehicle. The XL model is just over five feet longer than its predecessor, allowing it to carry significantly more cargo. The success of this mission was intended to validate the new design for future resupply runs.
Record-Breaking Cargo Delivery at Risk
The 11,000-pound (approximately 5,000 kilograms) payload aboard the Cygnus XL is the largest single delivery of supplies ever launched to the ISS. The loss of this cargo would be a significant setback for station operations and scientific research.
What's Onboard?
The manifest for NG-23 includes a wide range of critical items for the crew and the station itself. The cargo is a mix of essential supplies and valuable research equipment.
- Crew Supplies: Fresh food, clothing, and other provisions for the astronauts living aboard the station.
- Station Hardware: Spare parts and new equipment needed for maintenance and upgrades to the orbiting laboratory.
- Scientific Experiments: Numerous research investigations from institutions around the world, covering fields from biology to materials science.
Cygnus XL vs. Dragon
The Cygnus XL's 11,000-pound capacity is a substantial increase over other cargo vehicles. For comparison, SpaceX's Cargo Dragon 2 spacecraft has a maximum cargo capacity to the ISS of just over 7,000 pounds. This makes the Cygnus XL a key asset for delivering bulky or heavy equipment.
This particular Cygnus XL vehicle was also serving as a replacement. According to reports from Ars Technica, it was filling in for a different Cygnus spacecraft that sustained damage during its transport from the manufacturing facility in Italy.
Complex Arrival Procedure Now Uncertain
Unlike SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which docks autonomously with the ISS, the Cygnus spacecraft requires a more complex, hands-on procedure for its arrival. This process is now on an indefinite hold due to the engine failure.
The standard procedure involves the Cygnus vehicle maneuvering to a stable position approximately 30 feet from the station. From there, astronauts on the ISS use the 58-foot Canadarm2 robotic arm to reach out and grapple the spacecraft. Once secured, the arm maneuvers the Cygnus to physically install it onto the Unity module's Earth-facing port.
The original plan was for the NG-23 to remain attached to the station until March, serving as both a cargo repository and a temporary extension of the station's volume. Whether this can still happen is now in question.
"A new arrival date and time are under review," NASA noted in its official update, highlighting the ongoing effort to assess the situation and find a viable path forward.
A History of Challenges and a Disposable Design
This is not the first time a Cygnus mission has encountered difficulties. In 2022, the 18th Cygnus flight also experienced a technical issue while en route to the ISS. However, in that instance, ground controllers were able to resolve the problem, and the spacecraft successfully completed its mission.
The stakes are higher with any Cygnus malfunction due to the vehicle's design. Cygnus spacecraft are not built to survive re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. At the end of a mission, the craft is typically filled with trash from the space station, detached, and sent on a destructive course to burn up over the Pacific Ocean.
This design means that if the NG-23 mission cannot be recovered, there is no way to return the 11,000 pounds of cargo to Earth. The entire payload would be lost, representing a significant loss of time, resources, and scientific potential. The outcome of the recovery efforts over the next few days will determine the fate of this historic cargo run.