Northrop Grumman is a leading innovator of logistics capabilities in space. The Cygnus spacecraft, innovative cargo loading processes and mission support are hallmarks of Northrop Grumman’s commitment to advancing human spaceflight and the commercial space economy.

Cygnus has evolved from its original configuration with several design improvements: 

• Increased cargo capacity from 18 m³ to 36 m³
• Late load for special equipment and science needs
• Secondary missions 
• Capability to Reboost the ISS orbit 

Cygnus consists of a Service Module and a Pressurized Cargo Module that carries crew supplies, equipment and scientific experiments to destinations in low-Earth orbit. The Service Module incorporates advanced avionics developed by Northrop Grumman and guidance and navigation components that allow for fully autonomous rendezvous operations. The avionics design fully meets rigorous and exhaustive NASA safety requirements imposed on human-rated space vehicles. 

The Cygnus design is the foundational basis for spacecraft to support the next generation of space exploration missions, from delivery and logistics services to commercial space stations and other commercial low-Earth orbit ventures, to deep space logistics to the moon and beyond.