3 weeks and 3 cargo departures for Epsilon
ESA released a video titled 3 weeks and 3 cargo departures for Epsilon on March 20, 2026, documenting a concentrated period of spacecraft activity at the International Space Station (ISS) during ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot’s Epsilon mission. The video shows the sequential undocking and departure of multiple logistics vehicles over roughly three weeks, underscoring the cadence of resupply and return operations that sustain station crews. Among the departures captured is the Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG23 cargo ship named S.S. William “Willie” McCool, which completed its primary mission of delivering supplies, experiments and hardware before leaving low Earth orbit.
Footage from onboard cameras and station windows highlights the orchestrated nature of ISS logistics, with Adenot and her crew executing standard procedures for monitoring and documenting the undocking events. The video narrative notes that three cargo spacecraft left the station around orbit 0541 (Day 035) of the Epsilon mission, each following close behind the last. These departures represent cyclic operations that see vehicles arrive with provisions, equipment and scientific samples, and then undock to reenter Earth’s atmosphere or move to disposal trajectories. The presentation includes customary onboard traditions, such as ceremonial bell ringing, that accompany milestone events aboard the station.
The 3 weeks and 3 cargo departures video also reflects broader operational rhythms that are critical to ISS sustainability and international partnership. Regular cargo movements involve multiple providers, illustrating the integrated network of commercial resupply services that support scientific research, station maintenance and crew life support in low Earth orbit. ESA’s decision to share this video contributes to public insight into routine orbital logistics and highlights the active role of European astronauts in documenting and participating in station operations. The Epsilon mission continues to contribute to the ISS programme as Adenot and international crewmates advance research and maintain the orbiting laboratory, with the recent string of cargo departures serving as a visible marker of ongoing resupply efforts and collaborative mission management.
