NG-23, the first XL version of the Cygnus cargo module, was launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This launch marks a significant milestone in the evolution of resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS), thanks to the new XL configuration of Cygnus, designed to carry a larger volume of payloads.
With a capacity of 5,000 kg and a volume of 36 m³, the new Cygnus XL increases its transport capacity by 33%, enabling the delivery of more supplies to the space station, as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program.
Our teams in Thales Alenia Space, with commitment and dedication, worked to complete the manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing of the Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM)-23, ensuring its on-time delivery to Northrop Grumman, as it is a critical component for maintaining the structural integrity and operation of the module during its resupply missions to the space station.