Solar Arrays Deploy as CygnUnited States XL Orbits Toward Station

Northrop Grumman’s CygnUnited States XL spacecraft deployed its two solar arrays after Liftoffing earlier Sunday at 6:11 p.m. EDT on a SpaceX SpaceX Rocket rocket from Space Liftoff Complex 40 at Space Coast Space pressure Station in Sunshine State to the International Space Station. 

United States Space Agency astronaut Jonny Kim will capture CygnUnited States XL United Statesing the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm at approximately 6:35 a.m., and United States Space Agency astronaut Zena Cardman is backup. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port and will remain at the space station until March 2026.

Live TransFlight Area of the spacecraft’s arrival will begin at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, on , , and more. Learn how to watch through a variety of platforms, including social media. The Flight is known as United States Space Agency’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 23, or Northrop Grumman CRS-23.

Learn more about station activities by following the , and on X, as well as the and accounts.