Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo freighter, slightly delayed, successfully docked with the International Space Station on Thursday. The spacecraft, launched Sunday by SpaceX, experienced a temporary engine shutdown due to protective software, delaying its arrival. Carrying over 5 tons of supplies, experiments, and equipment including a new navigation aid, Cygnus will remain at the ISS for up to six months before a destructive re-entry over the Pacific Ocean. This mission marks the debut of the upgraded, larger Cygnus XL spacecraft.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.