Cygnus the swan lifts up the International Space Station | Space photo of the day for Sept. 14, 2026
Just a little help from its friends.
On August 27, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft, named for the swan constellation, docked with the International Space Station and initiated a planned maneuver to boost the station's orbit. The engines fired, lifting the space station into a higher altitude, as captured in a photograph from orbit. This maneuver, while routine, highlights the remarkable progress humanity has made in space technology.
The International Space Station relies on such assistance from its docked spacecraft, working together with international partners like Russia, to maintain a sustainable presence in orbit. The upcoming arrival of the Progress 96 resupply spacecraft, the 96th Russian Progress cargo mission, will require the station to shift into a new position to allow for docking.
The Progress 96 mission, following a lineage that began in 1978 with the first Progress mission to the Soviet Salyut 6 station, underscores the ongoing collaboration between nations in advancing space exploration.
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