On Thursday, Russia initiated the launch of a supply rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing one of the few remaining collaborative efforts between Russia and the United States despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia's offensive against Ukraine.
The Soyuz-2 rocket, carrying the Progress MS-26 cargo ship, lifted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, as confirmed by Russia's space agency on its Telegram channel, which also provided video footage of the launch.
The scheduled arrival of the rocket at the ISS is set for Saturday, as announced by the agency. The primary objective of the mission is to deliver essential supplies including fuel, food, and scientific equipment to support the seven individuals currently aboard the space station.
Among the crew are three Russian cosmonauts, two American astronauts, and one specialist each from Denmark and Japan. Despite previous announcements by Russia indicating its intent to withdraw from the ISS project after 2024, both Russian and US space agencies agreed in December to extend their joint flights to the ISS until 2025.
Russian cosmonauts maintain a permanent presence aboard the space station and play integral roles in its operations. While Moscow has emphasized the creation of a new Russian space station as a priority, the ISS, which was established through collaborative efforts involving Russia, the United States, Europe, and Japan, commenced assembly in 1998.
Originally slated to remain operational until 2024, the possibility of extending the ISS's lifespan until 2030 has been suggested by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Photo: NASA