Russia successfully resupplies the international space station

Russia's unmanned Progress M-28M cargo spacecraft carrying more than two tons of supplies and food has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS).

The Progress M-28M cargo ship carrying more than two tons of food and supplies successfully reached the ISS. Photo: NASA

"The Progress M-28M cargo ship successfully docked to the ISS at 10:11 Moscow time," the Russian federal space agency (Roscomos) announced yesterday. The ship was launched on July 3 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

According to Nasa Space Flight, the Progress M-28M spacecraft carries more than 2,300 kg of oxygen, fuel, food and scientific equipment, as well as personal items for three astronauts working on the ISS in the Expedition 44 project. Astronaut Pdalka is expected to return to Earth next November, while Korrnienko and Kelly will continue working, at least until March 2016.

"Guys, congratulations. Your cargo has arrived," Vladimir Solovye, the launch mission commander, announced at the Russian space control center near Moscow.

"We're as happy as Christmas in July," the ISS astronauts tweeted after the successful landing. "Third time's the charm, they say," Kelly tweeted, adding a chuckling emoji, referring to the series of previous failed launches.

Most recently, an American rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft carrying more than two tons of supplies exploded minutes after leaving the launch pad on June 28. Previously, in April, a Russian Progress spacecraft carrying more than three tons of supplies also lost control in space, caught fire, and crashed to Earth.

The resupply mission was successful, easing pressure on the space crew and flight planners. If the Japanese cargo ship HTV arrives on schedule in August, the ISS crew will have enough supplies and food to last the rest of the year.

According to VnExpress