Russia Launches 2.8 Tons of Cargo to ISS Today
A Russian Progress freighter, designated Progress 93, is set to launch today, September 11, 2023, carrying approximately 2.8 tons of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch will take place at 11:54 a.m. EDT (15:54 GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, utilizing a Soyuz rocket to propel the freighter into orbit.
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch, starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT (15:30 GMT). Viewers can access the live stream via NASA’s official channels or platforms like Space.com.
Mission Details and Cargo Delivery
If all proceeds as planned, Progress 93 is expected to dock with the ISS’s Zvezda service module on September 13, 2023, at 1:27 p.m. EDT (17:27 GMT). The cargo includes essential supplies such as food, propellant, and various materials for the astronauts currently on the ISS as part of the Expedition 73 mission.
NASA will also broadcast the docking event live, with coverage commencing at 12:30 p.m. EDT (16:30 GMT) on the day of the rendezvous. Progress 93 is anticipated to remain docked at the station for approximately six months before departing, at which point it will be loaded with waste from the astronauts. The freighter, along with its cargo, will ultimately burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Upcoming Missions and Comparisons
Today’s launch is part of a busy schedule for cargo delivery to the ISS. Following Progress 93, another freighter, Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus vehicle, is slated to launch on September 14, 2023, at 6:11 p.m. EDT (22:11 GMT) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Similar to Progress, Cygnus is designed for single-use missions.
In contrast, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, another operational cargo vehicle for the ISS, is designed for recovery and reuse. After completing its mission, Dragon returns to Earth, splashing down in the ocean under parachutes, making it distinct from the one-time-use designs of both Progress and Cygnus.
This launch not only highlights Russia’s ongoing contributions to the ISS but also emphasizes the collaborative efforts among international space agencies to maintain a continuous presence in low Earth orbit.
