A Russian Progress freighter, loaded with an impressive 2.8 tons of cargo, is set to launch toward the International Space Station (ISS) today, September 11. This highly anticipated event will be broadcast live, allowing space enthusiasts to witness the action unfold in real-time.
The launch is scheduled for 11:54 a.m. EDT (15:54 GMT; 8:54 p.m. local time in Kazakhstan) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a spaceport managed by Russia. The vehicle, known as Progress 93, will be propelled into orbit by a Soyuz rocket. For those interested in watching the launch live, coverage will commence at 11:30 a.m. EDT (15:30 GMT) and can be viewed here on Space.com, courtesy of NASA.
If the launch proceeds as planned, Progress 93 is set to dock with the ISS's Zvezda service module on Saturday, September 13, at 1:27 p.m. EDT (17:27 GMT). This mission is crucial as it will deliver essential supplies, including food, propellant, and other necessary items to the astronauts aboard the current Expedition 73 mission on the ISS. Viewers can also catch the live coverage of this docking event, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT (16:30 GMT) on Saturday.
Once docked, Progress 93 will remain attached to the ISS for approximately six months. After this period, it will depart, taking with it astronaut waste and other items. The freighter, along with its cargo, is expected to burn up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Following today's launch, space enthusiasts can look forward to another significant event. The Northrup Grumman's Cygnus vehicle is scheduled to lift off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, September 14, at 6:11 p.m. EDT (22:11 GMT). Stay tuned for details on how to watch this launch as well!
In summary, the launch of the Progress 93 freighter marks an important step in ongoing support for the ISS and its crew. With several exciting events on the horizon, including live coverage of both the launch and docking, space enthusiasts won't want to miss out!
