BAIKONUR COSMODROME, KAZAKHSTAN – July 3, 2025, 3:32 PM EDT (1932 UTC; 12:32 AM July 4, Baikonur Time) – Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, successfully launched the Progress 92 (officially Progress MS-31) uncrewed cargo spacecraft towards the International Space Station (ISS) today, carrying approximately three tons of vital supplies for the orbiting laboratory’s Expedition 73 crew. The launch, executed flawlessly by a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Site 31, Pad 6 of the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, marked another critical resupply mission to maintain the continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
The liftoff occurred precisely as scheduled, with the powerful Soyuz booster igniting its engines and ascending into the clear Baikonur sky, a fiery pillar against the darkening predawn landscape. Onboard the Progress 92 are essential provisions including food, fresh water, propellants, scientific experiment hardware, and various other supplies crucial for the six-month operations of the station’s current inhabitants. Among the notable cargo is a new Orlan-MKS spacesuit, destined for use during future Russian spacewalks, ensuring the continued maintenance and expansion of the Russian Orbital Segment of the ISS. The spacecraft also carries equipment and hardware specifically designed to support ongoing Roscosmos science experiments, furthering the research capabilities of the unique microgravity environment.
Following a nominal ascent, the Progress 92 separated from the third stage of its Soyuz rocket approximately eight minutes and 49 seconds after launch, achieving its initial parking orbit with precision. The unpiloted freighter is now embarking on a two-day, 34-orbit journey to the ISS, meticulously planned to ensure a smooth and safe rendezvous. This deliberate trajectory allows ground controllers to conduct a series of orbital maneuvers and systems checks, ensuring the spacecraft is perfectly aligned for its autonomous docking procedure.
The docking is anticipated to occur on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at approximately 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC). The Progress 92 will autonomously link up with the space-facing Poisk module (Mini-Research Module 2, or MIM2) of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. This module serves as a critical docking port for various Russian spacecraft, including Soyuz crew vehicles and Progress cargo ships. NASA will provide live coverage of the rendezvous and docking activities via NASA+, with coverage slated to begin at 4:45 PM EDT on July 5, allowing space enthusiasts worldwide to witness the culmination of this critical resupply mission.
This launch comes just days after its predecessor, Progress 90, undocked from the very same Poisk port on Tuesday, July 1, after a roughly seven-month stay at the ISS. Progress 90, laden with refuse and discarded equipment from the station, was intentionally deorbited, burning up harmlessly in Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, a standard procedure for disposing of spent cargo spacecraft. The departure of Progress 90 cleared the way for the timely arrival of the fresh supplies brought by Progress 92, ensuring a continuous logistical lifeline to the orbiting laboratory.
The Progress 92 spacecraft itself, designated Progress MS-31 by Roscosmos and also referred to as 92P for its sequence in ISS resupply missions, is the 92nd Russian resupply craft to launch in support of the International Space Station program since 1998, and the 183rd Progress flight overall since the inaugural launch in 1978. These workhorse spacecraft have been instrumental in sustaining the ISS and its crews, providing a reliable and robust means of transporting essential cargo to orbit.
The journey of Progress 92 began much earlier than its spectacular launch. On March 14, 2025, RKK Energia, the primary developer and manufacturer of Russian spacecraft, announced that the Progress MS-31 had completed its factory tests and was shipped by rail to Baikonur, arriving four days later. The active launch campaign commenced in mid-May, with specialists meticulously preparing the spacecraft, including placing it in an anechoic chamber for radio tests and later a vacuum chamber for environmental checks. Propellant components and pressurized gases were loaded starting June 22, and on June 27, the cargo ship was integrated with its launch vehicle adapter. The final assembly with the Soyuz-2.1a rocket was completed on June 30, culminating in the rollout to the launch pad at Site 31 on the morning of July 1. This rigorous preparation ensured that the spacecraft and its launch vehicle were in optimal condition for the mission.
Once docked, the Progress 92 will remain attached to the ISS for approximately six months. During this period, the Expedition 73 crew will systematically unload its fresh cargo, replacing it with trash and unneeded items, preparing the craft for its eventual departure. Like its predecessors, Progress 92 will then undock and be guided into a destructive re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, safely disposing of the accumulated waste and concluding its mission.
The successful launch of Progress 92 underscores Russia’s ongoing commitment to the International Space Station and its vital role in global space cooperation. As the Expedition 73 crew eagerly awaits the arrival of their much-needed supplies, this mission reaffirms the complex and continuous logistical dance required to sustain human presence in space, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and international collaboration.
