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CYGNUS Mission

Project Info

  • Origin Turin, Italy
  • Destination Cape Canaveral, Florida
  • Date July 07, 2025

Successful Delivery of the CYGNUS Space Module to the International Space Station

Rohde & Liesenfeld’s LOGIN FMS Logistics proudly supported NASA, Thales Alenia, Northrop Grumman, and their Italian agency MB Servizi in the successful delivery of the CYGNUS space module for the International Space Station (ISS). The complex international shipment was executed via a chartered Ukrainian AN-124 aircraft, transporting the CYGNUS module from Turin, Italy to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Following its arrival, the CYGNUS module was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, successfully beginning its journey to the ISS to deliver essential supplies and equipment to the astronauts onboard. This successful collaboration underscores LOGIN FMS Logistics’s commitment to precision logistics and its growing role in advancing international space operations.

Background

The project involved the transportation of critical space hardware essential for ongoing operations at the International Space Station. Rohde & Liesenfeld, through its subsidiary LOGIN FMS Logistics, provided end-to-end transportation and supply chain solutions for aerospace, defense, engineering, and high-technology sectors worldwide. The mission was personally accompanied by LOGIN FMS Logistics Vice President John J. Gerten, ensuring safe and timely delivery of the critical space hardware.

Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 7th 2025, marked the culmination of this effort, where LOGIN FMS Logistics demonstrated its dedication to delivering mission-critical logistics support for some of the most advanced scientific and engineering programs in the world. The collaboration with key partners like NASA and Northrop Grumman highlighted the company's expertise in handling sensitive, high-value cargo across international borders.

The Challenges

Transporting a sophisticated space module like CYGNUS requires navigating a web of logistical complexities, from regulatory compliance to ensuring the integrity of the cargo during transit. The international nature of the shipment from Turin, Italy, to Cape Canaveral, Florida demanded precise coordination with multiple stakeholders, including customs authorities and specialized aviation providers.

In addition, the use of a chartered Ukrainian AN-124 aircraft introduced unique operational demands, such as managing oversized cargo loading and flight path approvals amid global aviation constraints. These factors underscored the need for experienced oversight, which was provided by John Gerten's personal accompaniment.

Key Logistical Hurdles

  • Coordinating with diverse international partners, including NASA, Thales Alenia, Northrop Grumman, and MB Servizi, to align timelines and documentation requirements.
  • Ensuring the safe handling of high-value, sensitive equipment during loading, flight, and unloading to prevent any potential damage.
  • Adapting to potential disruptions in air charter services, given the specialized nature of the AN-124 and geopolitical considerations affecting Ukrainian aviation.
The CYGNUS Mission Team

The Solution

LOGIN FMS Logistics leveraged its expertise in aerospace logistics to orchestrate a seamless shipment process. By chartering the AN-124 aircraft and deploying dedicated personnel, the team ensured the module's secure transport from origin to destination. “I had the ride of my life on that aircraft,” said John Gerten, of LOGIN FMS Logistics, upon landing at Kennedy Space Center. “And I am extremely proud to be supporting this critical mission.”

The solution emphasized real-time monitoring and hands-on management, culminating in the module's successful handover at Kennedy Space Center. This approach not only met the stringent demands of space missions but also reinforced LOGIN FMS Logistics's reputation as a reliable partner in high-stakes logistics.