All articles tagged with #northrop grumman
The Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million contract to build an Enhanced PTS-P prototype satellite to validate anti-jam and cyber-resilient Protected Military Satellite Communications, using the ESPAStar-HP bus; launch is scheduled no earlier than 2030 and the demonstrations will inform future protected-satcom procurements.
Daniel Wm. McAndrew of Erie, a lifelong electronics and engineering enthusiast who led Simulation Engineering at the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots and later worked at Northrop Grumman, is remembered for his kindness, talent, and music; he is survived by his brothers Joey, Denise, JoAnne, Patrick, and Matthew, and was preceded in death by baby brother Paul; a private memorial will be held.
NASA’s briefing exposed corrosion on Lunar Gateway’s HALO and I-HAB habitats. Northrop Grumman acknowledged a manufacturing irregularity, ESA confirmed corrosion on I-HAB, and Thales Alenia Space issued a statement noting a surface metallurgical issue on HALO and promising repairs by the end of Q3 2026, with similar actions for I-HAB in coordination with ESA. Axiom Space reported related issues on Module 1. The disclosures raise questions about repair feasibility and could affect Gateway timelines beyond 2030, while underscoring competition in space-habitat pressure vessels.
Ars Technica reports that the Lunar Gateway’s two habitable modules, HALO and I-HAB, show corrosion likely from a manufacturing irregularity involving forging, surface treatment, and materials. Northrop Grumman says HALO repairs should wrap by the end of Q3 and that the module can still be repurposed for lunar use, while ESA calls the issue technically manageable; I-HAB remains under construction as Gateway was paused to focus on the Moon.
Northrop Grumman booked a $71 million unfavorable adjustment to earnings in Q1 2026 to cover evaluation and corrective actions after a GEM 63XL booster anomaly on United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur during the February USSF-87 launch. The incident shed debris but did not derail the mission; Space Force and ULA are pursuing a root-cause investigation with no fixed return-to-flight timeline, and possible Vulcan configurations without boosters are being considered.
With Vulcan booster nozzle failures prompting investigation, the Space Force says reliability will heavily influence future launch procurements, including potential mission swaps to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and other providers as officials weigh which rockets will carry critical national-security satellites and how to structure the next NSSL competition.
SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo ship NG-24 atop a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, delivering about 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg) of science gear and supplies to the International Space Station. The Cygnus XL, named S.S. Steven R. Nagel, will be grappled by Canadarm2 on April 13, marking the second Cygnus XL flight, while the booster returned to a Cape Canaveral landing about eight minutes after liftoff.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo freighter, the largest to visit the ISS, was jettisoned from the Unity module carrying thousands of pounds of garbage and is slated to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere after release over the south Atlantic.
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft — the S.S. Willie "Willie" McCool — left the International Space Station on March 12, after a nearly six-month stay delivering about 11,000 pounds of science gear and supplies. Detaching from Unity, Canadarm2 released Cygnus at 7:06 a.m. EST, and the freighter will deorbit to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, joining the ISS cargo fleet alongside SpaceX’s Dragon, Russia’s Progress, and JAXA’s HTV-X.
The U.S. strike on Iran has boosted defense stocks, lifting a defense-focused ETF and sending Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman higher as investors anticipate increased military spending and heightened geopolitical tensions; the rally extends to other defense players and European contractors, though long-term exposure may hinge on shifts in defense programs and platforms.
The Air Force and Northrop Grumman agreed to boost annual B-21 Raider production by 25% using $4.5 billion from FY2025 reconciliation to accelerate delivery of the stealth bomber fleet, preserving cost and performance discipline. With 2025 deliveries on schedule and a planned 2027 ramp at Ellsworth AFB, the B-21 remains central to nuclear modernization and long-range strike, enabling faster fielding of combat capability to deter and defeat emerging threats.
The U.S. Space Force awarded $1.6 billion in contracts to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman to build 36 satellites for missile warning and tracking, focusing on hypersonic missile threats, marking significant growth for Rocket Lab as it transitions into a major space contractor.
Lockheed Martin and RTX raised their full-year earnings outlooks, driven by strong demand and record contract awards, while Northrop Grumman lowered its sales guidance despite beating earnings expectations. RTX stock hit record highs, Lockheed Martin's shares declined slightly, and Northrop's stock slipped below a buy point amid mixed results. Overall, defense contractors are benefiting from increased U.S. defense spending, though some face operational challenges and market pressures.
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo ship successfully rendezvoused and was captured by the International Space Station after a software adjustment delay, delivering over 5 tons of supplies, research materials, and spare parts, including holiday treats for the crew. The mission marked the maiden flight of an upgraded, longer version of the spacecraft, named after astronaut Willie McCool, and highlights the importance of cargo resupply missions for station operations.
Northrop Grumman's new Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft successfully arrived at the ISS on its debut mission, carrying over 11,000 pounds of supplies and named in honor of astronaut William 'Willie' McCool, despite a one-day delay caused by thruster issues. This mission marks the first Cygnus delivery in over a year and features the spacecraft's increased cargo capacity.