Russia launches ‘Progress’ cargo ship to International Space Station

In order to take supplies to the six astronauts aboard the International Space Station, an unmanned Russian cargo ship was launched on Saturday.

The launch, which took place from Russia’s main space facility in Kazakhstan’s Baikonur, came after a two-day postponement and docking plan change.

The Progress cargo ship was initially to test a new regime for docking with the space station less than four hours after launch.

However, the launch which was supposed to take place on Thursday was aborted for unspecified reasons. Now, the ship will remain in orbit for two days before docking on Monday.

The Progress, carrying 2.5 metric tons (2.75 tons) of water, food and scientific equipment, reached orbit about nine minutes after its launch at 0846 GMT, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.

(With PTI inputs)

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