Getting cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) is no easy task, as the recent launch of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL spacecraft illustrated. Due to a thruster issue on the way to the ISS, the craft arrived a day later than expected, but was still no less appreciated for the important payload it carried for the astronauts of the Expedition 73 mission.

What is it?

Cygnus XL is Northrop Grumman's largest cargo spacecraft to date. The spacecraft was reconfigured to have increased payload capacity, with a greater pressurized cargo volume and structural upgrades for heavier payloads, making it a vital asset for supporting long-duration missions aboard the ISS.

Since 2013, Cygnus missions have played a critical role in delivering experiments, spare parts, and daily necessities to astro

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