Launch recap: Scroll down to read updates from the NG-23 mission, which launched 6:11 p.m. Sept. 14 from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Original story: Another resupply mission for NASA is set to lift off tonight from Cape Canaveral – along with sonic boom triggering booster return.
At 6:11 p.m. SpaceX will launch a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft full of supplies and science for NASA to the International Space Station. The liftoff will be from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Due to the spacecraft traveling to the orbiting space station, the Falcon 9 rocket must launch on time or SpaceX will have to stand down for the day.
Upon liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket will fly on a northeast trajectory – however, that is not the end of the show for those on the Space Coast.
Just under eight minutes past the launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster will come in for a landing at Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 2. The result will be a sonic boom heard shortly afterward throughout Brevard County.
The spacecraft will then continue onward to the space station on its commercial resupply mission. Onboard is 11,000 pounds of food, supplies, and science for the astronauts onboard the station.
CRS-23 – also referred to as NG-23 -- marks the 23rd resupply mission by Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus. The mission will be the first flight of the company's new Cygnus XL spacecraft. It is referred to as a solar powered, larger and more capable cargo spacecraft compared to previous models of the Cygnus, which flew multiple NASA resupply missions in the past.
Nominal orbit insertion
Update 6:20 p.m.: The Cygnus is safely in orbit, and on its way to the International Space Station. It will arrive Wednesday, Sept. 17.
SpaceX booster lands!
Update 6:19 p.m.: The SpaceX booster has landed at Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 2 − a sonic boom is to follow!
NG-23 lifts off!
Update 6:11 p.m.: The Falcon 9 rocket has left the launch pad with the Northrop Grumman Cygnus − on its way to the ISS!
Be aware, a sonic boom will follow this liftoff as the booster will come back for a landing!
T-5 minutes until SpaceX launch in Florida
Update 6:06 p.m.: It's not just science headed on this mission − food for the holidays is headed up to the astronauts onboard the ISS.
According to NASA, this includes:
- Clams
- Oysters
- Crab
- Roast turkey
- Smoked salmon
- Candy, cookies, and icing.
- A dish from a high school competition based on a popular dish in North Africa and Middle East − Eggs cooked in a spiced sauce.
T-10 minutes until liftoff!
Update 6:01 p.m.: T-10 minutes until liftoff of the NG-23 resupply mission.
After launch, the rocket will be headed on a northeast trajectory − but the show does not end there. Just over eight minutes past the liftoff, the Falcon 9's booster will come in for a landing at Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 2. The result will be a sonic boom heard throughout Brevard County.
NASA and SpaceX live ahead of liftoff in Florida
Update 5:50 p.m.: SpaceX and NASA are live ahead of today's NG-23 launch. Video is posted above, below the countdown clock.
SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling now underway
Update 5:46 p.m.: Visual cues indicate Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at Launch Complex 40, though SpaceX has yet to make an official announcement.
SpaceX launch in Florida: Weather for NG-23 mission improves
Update 5:35 p.m.: SpaceX has posted that weather has improved to 85% favorable. T-35 minutes until launch!
SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard
Update 5:28 p.m.:Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX’s upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
SpaceX launch in Cape Canaveral: NG-23 resupply mission
Update 5:13 p.m.: Another experiment onboard will look into the efficiency of germicidal ultraviolet light to avoid the growth of microbes. Warren explained that this will not only help protect the health of astronauts but extend the life of equipment onboard. The goal is to provide a chemical-free disinfectant via UV light using flexible optical fibers.
Findings will be used to develop future air and water systems for space exploration and even see spin-offs here on Earth.
NG-23 mission launch on SpaceX rocket in Florida: A look at the science onboard
Update 5:00 p.m.: “The NG-23 spacecraft will be carrying hardware and samples to support over 50 different scientific studies and research facilities across NASA, the International Space Station National Laboratory, and our international partners,” said Liz Warren, associate chief scientist for NASA’s International Space Station program research office.
The first study mentioned looks at zero boil off tank non-condensables, which is a follow up to a previous experiment of the same matter. The goal is to find ways to store liquid xenon or neon – cryogenic fluids which need to be kept at very cold temperatures − long-term. This is important for long-term human space missions, as these cryogenic fluids provide not just fuel, but power life support. Data acquired from this test will be used to develop future cryogenic fluid storage.
“The current practice is to vent, boil off, vapor into space and use onboard propellants to cool lines and tank walls before transfer and filling operations. But these practices are not efficient for long durations and long mission – such as a journey to Mars,” said Warren.
Second ISS resupply mission in a week
Update 4:50 p.m.: This mission is the second resupply to the International Space Station within the span of a week. On the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 13, the Russian Progress 93 cargo mission docked to the space station.
Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft to launch on SpaceX Falcon 9
Update 4:35 p.m.: According to NASA, the spacecraft will remain docked to the space station until Spring 2026.
Unlike SpaceX's Dragon, the Cygnus is a signle use spacecraft. Like past Cygnus spacecrafts, it will be filled with trash from the space station before being released to burn up in the atmosphere.
New Cygnus spacecraft launching on SpaceX rocket in Florida
Update 4:25 p.m.: The Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft launching this evening is the latest version of the spacecraft − known as the Cygnus XL.
It is described to be 1.6 meters longer and able to carry 2600 additional pounds of cargo. It also features late-load capability, meaning sensitive cargo can be added last minute.
Unlike the SpaceX Dragon, Cygnus does not dock to the space station by itself. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim will use the robotic Canadarm to capture and dock the spacecraft.
NG-23 SpaceX launch in Florida weather
Update 4:11 p.m.: The 45th Weather Squadron has predicted a 75% chance of favorable weather for today's launch.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her atbedwards@floridatoday.comor on X:@brookeofstars.
