Reliable cargo deliveries and reboost services to the International Space Station
Northrop Grumman’s second flight of the Cygnus XL spacecraft is planned to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, no earlier than April 2026.
Stay tuned to this page for future updates about the launch.
Northrop Grumman is proud to name the NG-24 spacecraft in honor of NASA astronaut Steven R. Nagel.
It’s our tradition to name each Cygnus spacecraft to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to human spaceflight. Nagel was a distinguished Air Force pilot. In 1979, he became a NASA astronaut. As a veteran of four spaceflights, including commanding the mission that deployed the Gamma Ray Observatory, he helped expand our understanding of the universe and showcased the importance of scientific collaboration. He flew aboard STS-51G as a mission specialist, STS-61A as the pilot, and commanded STS-37 and STS-55. With the completion of his fourth flight, Nagel logged a total of 723 hours in space.
Nagel's pioneering work in human spaceflight has laid the groundwork for the next generation of explorers. His contributions to astronaut training and mission operations help ensure that future missions will be safer and more effective, inspiring new discoveries and advancements in space exploration.
