Northrop Grumman – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches 21 data satellites for the Space Development Agency

October 9, 2026 Spaceflight Now

Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California carrying satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation came at 12:39 a.m. PDT (3:39 EDT / 0739 UTC).

SpaceX scrubs launch attempt for 21 data transport satellites for the Space Development Agency

October 4, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Tranche 1 Transporter Layer A mission is the fourth flight supporting the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture constellation. The next launch attempt could come as soon as Saturday.

NASA, Northrop Grumman repurpose Gateway elements for Moon Base demo missions

August 6, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The shift amplifies the agency’s marked shift from crewed operations in lunar orbit to focus on surface-based missions.

SpaceX launches novel geosynchronous robotic servicing satellite on decade-long mission

July 21, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle features the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) payload from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and DARPA. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled during a four-hour window that opens at 5:15 p.m. EDT (2115 UTC).

ULA confirms successful solid rocket booster test as Vulcan anomaly investigation continues

May 14, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The static fire test was conducted by Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the GEM 63XL solid rocket booster that can be used to help power United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rockets. An in-flight anomaly was observed on one of those back in mid-February.

Vulcan suffers solid rocket booster problem during USSF-87 launch

February 12, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The anomaly appears similar to the nozzle burn through seen during the launch of the second certification flight of a Vulcan rocket.

Space Development Agency awards roughly $3.5 billion to 4 companies for 72 missile tracking and warning satellites

December 20, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

This batch of satellites will populate what the SDA calls the Tracking Layer of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) constellation in low Earth orbit. The work will be divided evenly, with each company building 18 spacecraft.

Northrop Grumman cargo ship reaches space Station

September 18, 2025 William Harwood

The capture came after Northrop Grumman engineers adjusted the sensitivity of main engine fault detection software that prematurely triggered shut downs during two rendezvous thruster firings Tuesday.

NASA, Northrop Grumman postpone Cygnus XL arrival to ISS following propulsion issue

September 16, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The spacecraft was originally scheduled to dock with the International Space Station the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 17. An alternate plan is in the works.

Northrop Grumman’s 1st Cygnus XL spacecraft launches on cargo run to the space station

September 15, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched the vehicle on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 6:11 p.m. EDT (2211 UTC). It’s scheduled to be berthed to the ISS by NASA astronaut Jonny Kim on Wednesday, Sept. 17.