spacetoday.net: Progress docks with ISS

Posted: Mon, Sep 30, 2002, 11:16 AM ET (1516 GMT)
Progress spacecraft on approach to ISS (NASA)

A Progress cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on Sunday. The spacecraft, known as Progress M1-9 by Russia and Progress 9 by NASA, docked with the aft port of the Zvezda module at 1:01 pm EDT (1701 GMT) Sunday. The docking took place four days after the Progress was launched from Baikonur, longer than normal: the extra time was used to conduct tests of an automated docking system with the Progress in the vicinity of ISS. The Progress is carrying 2.6 tons of cargo for the station, including food, fuel, and other equipment and supplies for the station's crew. The Progress is the first of two spacecraft scheduled to dock with the station this week: the shuttle Atlantis will dock with the station on Friday, assuming an on-time liftoff Wednesday from Florida.