A robotic Russian cargo vehicle was launched into orbit today (May 24) loaded with more than 2 tons of new supplies for the International Space Station’s astronauts, and you can watch its arrival at the orbiting laboratory live online.
The cargo ship “Progress 84” lifted off atop a Soyuz 2.1 rocket from the Russia-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:56 AM EDT (1256 GMT). It was 5:56 p.m. local time, take-off time.
“A great start to Progress 84, an uncrewed cargo ship heading to the International Space Station,” NASA spokesperson Rob Navias said during a live commentary.
Related: How Russia’s progressive spaceships work (infographic)
The cargo ship’s trip to the International Space Station will take less than 3.5 hours: Progress 84 is scheduled to dock with the Poisk module at the orbiting laboratory in 12:20 PM EST (1620 GMT) today. You can watch this extraterrestrial rendezvous here on Space.com, too, via NASA TV. Docking coverage will start at 11:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT).
Progress 84 is packed with 5,492 pounds (2,491 kilograms) of food, water, fuel, astronaut clothing, and other supplies, NASA spokesman Rob Navias said before the launch during a live commentary. This cargo includes 3,399 pounds (1,542 kg) of dry cargo, 1,080 pounds (490 kg) of fuel, 926 pounds (420 kg) of water and 88 pounds (40 kg) of nitrogen.
The cargo ship also carries a variety of scientific equipment, including “a launch device with a nanosatellite intended for the Parus-MGTU experiment (conducted by NE Bauman Moscow State Technical University). It will be launched by astronauts to test the solar sail diffusion technology,” EverydayAstronaut.com wrote. .
Progress, which began flying in 1978, is one of three robotic spacecraft currently delivering cargo to the space station. The other two are private US vehicles – SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and Northop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft.
Progress and Cygnus are expendable, burning up in Earth’s atmosphere when their time in orbit runs out. However, the Dragon is reusable, and returns down in the soft ocean splashes with the help of a parachute.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the successful launch of Progress 84 on a Soyuz 2.1 rocket. You can watch the space station’s resupply ship dock on this page, starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 GMT). Docking is set for 12:20 PM EST (1620 GMT).
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