Northrop Grumman's Cygnus Cargo Ship Set to Depart International Space Station

• Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, Oct. 9, following a successful resupply mission.
• The mission delivered over 11,000 pounds of supplies and scientific research equipment to the station.

Departure Process

• NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
• The station's Canadarm2 robotic arm will be commanded by ground flight controllers to detach the spacecraft from the Unity module.
• NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will monitor the release, which is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

Mission Conclusion

• Loaded with disposal items and unneeded cargo, the spacecraft will conduct a destructive re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on Sunday, Oct. 11.
• No live coverage will be provided for the final deorbit and re-entry.
• The Cygnus XL launched on April 11 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.