spacetoday.net: Progress docks with ISS

Posted: Sun, Dec 26, 2004, 11:18 AM ET (1618 GMT)
Progress spacecraft on approach to ISS (NASA)

A Progress cargo spacecraft carrying critical supplies successfully docked with the International Space Station Saturday night. The Progress M-51 spacecraft (also called Progress 16 by NASA) docked automatically at the aft port of the station's Zvezda module at 6:58 pm EST (2358 GMT) Saturday. The docking was delayed nearly a half-hour to allow it to take place in range of Russian ground stations; the docking was previously scheduled to take place out of range over South America. The spacecraft is carrying about two and a half tons of food, water, and other supplies for the station, as well as Christmas gifts for the station's two-man crew. The resupply mission was critical to the future of the orbiting outpost, as food supplies had dwindled to dangerously low levels. The Progress carries more than enough food for the crew to last until the next Progress mission is launched in about two months.