Unmanned Spacecraft Heads to International Space Station

Posted October 31st, 2011 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Russia says an unmanned Progress cargo spacecraft launched successfully from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan Sunday, and headed for the International Space Station. The successful launch follows a failed attempt in August.

Russia's Federal Space Agency says Progress will arrive Wednesday and deliver necessities such as food, water and clothing for the astronauts on board the station, as well as a satellite for a research on lightning strikes.

Another Russian spacecraft left the ISS Saturday after a 6-month mission that included delivery of more than two tons of personal supplies and scientific equipment. The spacecraft will be largely destroyed as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. Any pieces remaining should land in a remote area of the south Pacific.

Once the latest Russian cargo ship is unloaded, it too will be loaded with trash and sent into a destructive re-entry.