Massive spaceship transport postponed en route to ISS, imperiling space station's provisions
The Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL spacecraft, loaded with 11,000 pounds of scientific equipment and general cargo, launched successfully on September 14, 2022, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, Northrop Grumman CRS-23, marks the first in more than a year for the freighter.
However, an engine anomaly during an orbit-raising burn has caused a delay in the spacecraft's scheduled arrival at the International Space Station (ISS). NASA has yet to announce a new arrival date and time for the Cygnus XL spacecraft.
Before the unberthing event, the Cygnus XL needs to reach the ISS. All other Cygnus XL systems are performing normally, according to NASA. The enlarged version of a previous cargo spacecraft, the Cygnus XL carries 33 percent more payload.
Once installed, the Cygnus XL is expected to spend six months at the ISS before departing for a destructive reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. During a pre-launch briefing, NASA mentioned that the freighter is loaded with consumables, including 'fun food' items for the ISS crew.
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim was initially scheduled to grasp the Cygnus XL with the station's robotic arm upon its arrival at the ISS. However, the spacecraft's scheduled arrival is still under review due to the engine issue. There is a possibility that NASA might opt to have the Cygnus depart early instead and load the freighter with trash beforehand.
In November, the Cygnus might need to be unberthed from the ISS and held away from the Russian segment while an incoming Soyuz docks. The engine anomaly will be swiftly resolved so that the freighter can be attached to the outpost only a day or so later than planned.
NASA has yet to respond to a request for a detailed manifest of the cargo on the Cygnus XL spacecraft. The earlier mission, Northrop Grumman CRS-22, was called off due to the vehicle sustaining damage during shipping.
The spacecraft involved in the delayed delivery to the ISS is Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft. The person who will grasp the Cygnus XL with the station's robotic arm upon its arrival at the ISS is yet to be specified.
Despite the delay, the successful launch of the Cygnus XL spacecraft marks an important step in resupplying the ISS and advancing scientific research in space. The Northrop Grumman CRS-23 mission is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between NASA and private companies in space exploration.
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