Cygnus Spacecraft

Delivery services 250 miles above Earth. That’s defining possible.

Cygnus as seen from the International Space Station

Cygnus: Out of this World Deliveries 

To ensure critical cargo safely and reliably reaches the International Space Station (ISS), Northrop Grumman pioneered technologies for commercial resupply services and has been meeting NASA’s logistics needs for more than 10 years. Cygnus spacecraft have delivered more than 138,000 pounds of equipment, science experiments, and supplies to sustain the ISS astronauts under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS and CRS-2) contracts.

Cygnus spacecraft making delivery to the International Space Station above earth

Pioneering Logistics in Space

Northrop Grumman is a leading innovator of logistics capabilities in space. The Cygnus spacecraft, innovative cargo loading processes and mission support are hallmarks of Northrop Grumman’s commitment to advancing human spaceflight and the commercial space economy.

Cygnus has evolved from its original configuration with several design improvements: 

  • Increased cargo capacity from 18 m3 to 27 m3
  • Late load for special equipment and science needs
  • Secondary missions 
  • Capability to Reboost the ISS orbit 
Special Delivery: Zip Code SPACE
NASA's Cygnus docking at the International Space Station

Cygnus Design

Cygnus consists of a Service Module and a Pressurized Cargo Module that carries crew supplies, equipment and scientific experiments to destinations in low-Earth orbit. The Service Module incorporates advanced avionics developed by Northrop Grumman and guidance and navigation components that allow for fully autonomous rendezvous operations. The avionics design fully meets rigorous and exhaustive NASA safety requirements imposed on human-rated space vehicles. 

Cygnus Factsheet
Cygnus Spacecraft with stars in space

Future of Cygnus

The Cygnus design is the foundational basis for spacecraft to support the next generation of space exploration missions, from delivery and logistics services to commercial space stations and other commercial low-Earth orbit ventures, to deep space logistics to the moon and beyond.

The Latest on Cygnus

Northrop Grumman’s 20th Cargo Resupply Mission Successfully Launches to the International Space Station for NASA

Northrop Grumman’s NG-19 Launch Marks 10 Years of International Space Station Cargo Resupply Missions

Watch: Meet NG-19: The S.S. Laurel Clark

Northrop Grumman’s 18th Cygnus Cargo Resupply Spacecraft Arrives at International Space Station

Watch: Northrop Grumman Names Next Cygnus Mission After Space Pioneer Sally Ride

Dulles, Va. – Oct. 4, 2022

Northrop Grumman Set to Launch Cargo Resupply Mission and Perform Reboost Service for International Space Station

Northrop Grumman Awarded NASA Contract to Provide First Crew Module for Artemis Program Gateway

Company adapts proven Cygnus technology for human habitation