Russia successfully launches cargo spacecraft to International Space Station

MOSCOW

The Progress MS-33 transport cargo spacecraft, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, has successfully separated from the third stage of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle, Russia's Roscosmos corporation announced on Sunday.

The Soyuz-2.1a rocket, carrying the Progress MS-33 transport cargo spacecraft, successfully launched from Launch Pad No. 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3 pm Moscow time (GMT0000), Roscosmos said in a statement.

"At 3:09 p.m. Moscow time, the rocket placed the spacecraft, weighing approximately 7.4 tons, into orbit. It is now en route to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight to the station will take about 49.5 hours, with docking to the Poisk module of the Russian segment expected on March 24 at 4:35 p.m. Moscow time," it said.

The spacecraft will deliver 2,509 kg of cargo to the ISS, including 1,211 kg of dry cargo for the ISS-74 crew and station systems (including equipment for the Sun-Terahertz experiment), 828 kg of fuel for station refueling, 420 liters of drinking water, and 50 kg of oxygen to replenish the atmosphere.

Progress MS is a Russian automatic spacecraft designed to service orbital stations. It is used to deliver various cargo, including fuel, scientific equipment, oxygen, water, food, and other supplies to the ISS.