The Cygnus cargo mission to the ISS has been rescheduled for 11 April.

Station crew prepares to receive cargo while continuing the scientific programme on the International Space Station

NASA, Northrop Grumman and SpaceX have moved the Cygnus XL resupply mission launch on a Falcon 9 to 11 April to replenish supplies for the International Space Station (ISS). The attempt was postponed because of unfavourable weather at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The updated liftoff time is set for 07:41 a.m. Eastern Time (14:41 Moscow time).

After launch, astronauts aboard the ISS will use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft, after which it will be berthed to the Unity module for unloading. If the 11 April launch does not go ahead, the next available opportunity is 12 April at 07:18 a.m. Eastern Time.

Meanwhile, the Expedition 74 crew on the ISS continues with planned scientific and technical work.

Last Wednesday, the astronauts carried out medical checks, including hearing and vision tests, and also completed emergency-response training. Astronauts Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adeno, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev took hearing tests in the Quest module using dedicated software and headphones. Adeno and Jessica Meir measured eye pressure in the Columbus laboratory module to examine how weightlessness affects vision.

Meir and Hathaway also spent time in the NanoRacks Bishop airlock module, preparing hardware for upcoming investigations. They readied the ArgUS multipurpose platform for research activities. Separately, Hathaway measured airflow in the crew sleeping compartment to help maintain comfort on board.

Chris Williams worked on updating the station’s inventory system and collected water samples for analysis from the Exploration Potable Water Dispenser, which is testing new water purification methods.

Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev tested communications links between the station and the Progress 93 cargo vehicle and checked the operation of scientific equipment. Fedyaev carried out maintenance on life-support systems and electronics, and cleaned surfaces in the Nauka module to prevent fungal growth.

To finish the day, all seven crew members ran an emergency drill, coordinating their actions with ground control centres.