The unmanned Progress 93 spacecraft is in orbit and heading toward the International Space Station after a successful launch Thursday around noon ET from a cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The module will remain in transit for two days, after which it is expected to dock autonomously with the ISS on Saturday, shortly before 1:30 PM ET. It will deliver supplies to the crew aboard the ISS, including three tons of food, fuel, and other essentials.
The spacecraft will deliver about three tons of food, fuel and supplies to the space station.
The module was launched aboard a Russian Soyuz launch vehicle, which jettisoned its side boosters approximately two minutes into the mission. The main fuel element burned for approximately three minutes before separating from the launch vehicle's upper stage, before Progress 93 entered orbit.
The ship is planned to remain docked to the ISS for about six months, after which it will leave it, loaded with the remains of the astronauts, who will burn up along with the ship upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.
Progress 93 is the latest in a series of similar launches. Progress 92 flew to the ISS in July on a similar cargo delivery and debris removal mission.
Sourse: www.upi.com
