A Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft, on its inaugural flight to the International Space Station (ISS), has encountered an engine problem, delaying its arrival. The uncrewed vehicle, carrying over 11,000 pounds of essential supplies and scientific experiments, experienced a premature engine cutoff after its launch from Cape Canaveral.
NASA and Northrop Grumman flight controllers are currently evaluating the situation and developing a new plan to guide the spacecraft to its destination. The original docking, scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, has been postponed, and a new arrival date is now under review.
Key Takeaways
- Northrop Grumman's new Cygnus XL spacecraft suffered a main engine anomaly on its first mission, NG-23.
- The spacecraft's arrival at the International Space Station, originally set for September 17, has been delayed.
- The vehicle is carrying more than 11,000 pounds of cargo for the station's crew and research.
- Mission controllers are developing an "alternate burn plan" to correct the spacecraft's trajectory.
Engine Anomaly Delays Critical Supplies
The NG-23 mission began as planned with a launch at 6:11 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. However, during its journey to the orbiting laboratory, the spacecraft's main engine shut down earlier than intended.
This malfunction prevented the Cygnus XL from achieving the correct orbit for its planned rendezvous with the ISS. On September 16, NASA officially confirmed the delay as engineers began to analyze the problem and formulate a solution.
"NASA and Northrop Grumman are delaying the arrival of the Cygnus XL to the International Space Station as flight controllers evaluate an alternate burn plan for the resupply spacecraft," the agency stated. "The Cygnus XL will not arrive to the space station on Wednesday, Sept. 17, as originally planned, with a new arrival date and time under review."
Despite the engine issue, officials have reported that all other systems on the spacecraft are functioning as expected, providing a stable platform for mission controllers to work from.
What is an Alternate Burn Plan?
An alternate burn plan involves using the spacecraft's other, smaller thrusters to perform a series of carefully calculated engine firings. These burns will gradually adjust the vehicle's speed and trajectory, raising its orbit to eventually match that of the International Space Station. This process is more time-consuming than the primary engine burn but provides a reliable backup method for reaching the destination.
Inaugural Flight for Upgraded Spacecraft
This mission marks the first flight for the Cygnus XL, an upgraded and larger version of the workhorse Cygnus cargo vehicle that has been servicing the ISS for years. The new model is designed to carry a heavier and more voluminous payload, increasing the efficiency of each resupply run.
Key Features of Cygnus XL
- Increased Cargo Capacity: Capable of delivering over 11,000 pounds (approximately 5,000 kilograms) of supplies.
- Larger Pressurized Volume: Offers more space for science experiments, crew provisions, and station hardware.
- Solar-Powered: Utilizes large, fan-like solar arrays to generate power during its flight and while attached to the station.
The successful introduction of the Cygnus XL is a key component of NASA's strategy for maintaining a steady flow of resources to the space station, ensuring its continuous operation and scientific output.
Fact: Once the Cygnus XL arrives, ISS astronauts Jonny Kim and Zena Cardman are tasked with capturing it using the station's 57.7-foot-long robotic arm, Canadarm2, before docking it to an available port.
Precedent for In-Flight Problem Solving
While this incident presents a challenge, it is not the first time a Cygnus mission has encountered difficulties in flight. Mission teams have a proven track record of resolving complex technical issues remotely.
In 2022, the NG-18 mission experienced a significant problem when one of its two circular solar arrays failed to deploy after launch. This failure drastically reduced the spacecraft's available power, putting the entire mission at risk.
Engineers from NASA and Northrop Grumman worked together to develop procedures that allowed the spacecraft to safely approach and dock with the ISS using power from just a single array. The mission was ultimately completed successfully, demonstrating the resilience of both the hardware and the ground support teams.
This past success provides confidence that a viable solution can be found for the current NG-23 engine issue. As of the morning of September 17, mission teams were continuing their analysis, and further updates from NASA are expected as a new flight plan is finalized.