NASA, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman and SpaceX, has scheduled the launch of the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft for no earlier than 8:49 a.m. EDT on April 8, 2026. This mission, known as Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 (CRS-24), will deliver over 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS). Launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the Cygnus XL will be carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This resupply effort supports the ongoing research and technology demonstrations on the ISS, including advancements in quantum science, enhancements in space weather models, and studies on the gut microbiome. Following its journey, astronauts will use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture and dock the spacecraft at the Unity module’s Earth-facing port. The spacecraft is named S.S. Steven R. Nagel in honor of the late astronaut who contributed over 720 hours in space across four shuttle missions. It is set to remain attached to the ISS until October, after which it will return to Earth, loaded with trash for disposal during a controlled re-entry burn. Viewers can watch the launch and arrival live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, and participate virtually through NASA’s guest program. For more comprehensive coverage, visit the official NASA website for real-time updates. Post navigation Roman Telescope Unveiling Announced