Russian Cargo Ship Delivers Science Gear, Spacesuits, and Supplies to Space Station

Recently, a Russian supply ship delivered essential supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marks another milestone in space logistics and science support.

The Progress MS-30 spacecraft, or Progress 91 as NASA calls it, successfully docked with the ISS on March 1. This automatic docking took place while the ISS was orbiting the South Atlantic Ocean, 260 miles above Earth. The spacecraft had launched just two days prior from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

On board, the Progress MS-30 carries about three tons of supplies for the crew aboard the ISS Expedition 72. Among these supplies are food, clothing, medical items, and sanitary materials. There’s even a new Orlan-MKS spacesuit, which will be used for upcoming Russian spacewalks.

The Progress also carries tools and equipment for several scientific experiments. For instance, it includes materials to cultivate micro-algae, which might serve as a sustainable food source. Researchers will also use tools on board to study how microorganisms interact with different surfaces in space. Additionally, the spacecraft provides equipment necessary for growing advanced semiconductor crystals, which could help in various technological advancements.

The crew members, including cosmonauts Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Alexander Grebenkin, will find helpful biomedical tools to examine how microgravity affects blood circulation and the immune system. This research will contribute valuable information about living and working in space.

In terms of operational support, the Progress is bringing 2,094 pounds of fuel, 926 pounds of drinking water, and 110 pounds of nitrogen to replenish the station’s atmosphere. These supplies are crucial for sustaining life and operations aboard the ISS.

The Progress MS-30 will stay attached to the ISS for about six months. During this time, the crew will fill it with refuse before it’s sent back to Earth for a safe reentry, where it will burn up in the atmosphere, taking the trash with it.

Notably, this mission is the 91st Russian resupply mission since 1998, highlighting a long history of support for the ISS program, and the 183rd flight of the Progress spacecraft since its inaugural journey in 1978.

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