Cygnus XL Solar Arrays Deploy After Launch, Powering Flight to ISS
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL spacecraft successfully deployed its two UltraFlex solar arrays after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The deployment occurred shortly after the spacecraft's liftoff at 7:41 a.m. EDT on April 11, 2026, as part of NASA's Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services-24 mission. The solar arrays are crucial for powering the spacecraft during its journey to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams are scheduled to capture Cygnus XL using the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm on April 13, with live coverage available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. 
