Human Spaceflight and Logistics

Since 2014 we have provided vital supplies to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station with our Cygnus spacecraft launched aboard our Antares rocket. Now, as NASA plans to return humans to the Moon, Northrop Grumman is playing an integral role in the Artemis program.

How is Northrop Grumman Advancing Human Spaceflight and Logistics?

Cygnus

The Cygnus-based Lunar Gateway will be a home base for the astronaut crew to travel in their next step towards the Moon. And our lunar transfer element will enable the astronauts to reach the lunar surface.

Space Logistics and Mission Extension Vehicle

SpaceLogistics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, provides cooperative in-orbit satellite servicing to geosynchronous satellite operators using its fleet of commercial servicing vehicles. Our initial servicing vehicle, the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)™ docks with customers' existing satellites providing the propulsion and attitude control needed to extend their lives. We have now introduced our next generation system, Mission Extension Pods (MEPs)™, which is a smaller and less expensive life extension service that only performs orbit control. The MEPs are installed by a robotic servicing vehicle called the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV)™ which can perform all the functions of an MEV while adding new robotic capabilities for additional services.

Northrop Grumman Supports Human Spaceflight

Northrop Grumman is providing key propulsion systems for the SLS rocket that will boost the Orion crew capsule into space, as well as motors used in the Orion Launch Abort System that will ensure astronaut safety during launch
We are designing and building the Habitation and Logistics Outpost, or HALO, module for NASA's proposed Lunar Gateway which will serve as an exploration outpost for lunar missions
Northrop Grumman is one of only two commercial companies in the world to provide commercial cargo resupply services to astronauts aboard the International Space Station