The Russian cargo spaceship “Progress” has blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Carried by the Soyuz rocket, it is taking a new module to the International Space Station.
The main purpose of the new module it will be serving is to increase the docking capacity of the station, which has not had enough capacity for the number of cosmonauts traveling back and forth to the ISS.
It will also deliver new equipment to the station that will enable the cosmonauts at the ISS to conduct scientific experiments and also serve as a platform for these experiments.
The launch is of great significance to Russia’s space program, says RT science correspondent Ryan Dollard.
“It’s 8 years since a module like this was sent by Russia up there, and despite the current crisis, it’s been a very brave decision,” he said. “We will see another two modules of this sort going over the next three years. That will hugely expand the amount of scientific research that can take place there.”
The spaceship will also carry essential supplies for the cosmonauts working at the International Space Station.