Russia Launches Progress Spacecraft to Deliver 2.5 Tons of Supplies to the International Space Station
At 6:21 Beijing time on April 26th, Russia launched the Progress MS-34 cargo spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz 2.1a rocket. It is expected to dock with the International Space Station approximately 48 hours after launch. Prior to this, the previous Progress MS-32 spacecraft detached from the ISS and burned up upon re-entry, clearing the docking port.
The Progress spacecraft weighs 7.28 tons and is delivering over 2.5 tons of supplies to the International Space Station, including food, fuel, water, hygiene products, oxygen, equipment, and experimental payloads.
It also carries a new set of "Orlan" spacesuits for astronauts to use during extravehicular activities in the Russian segment.
So far in 2026, only one spacewalk has been conducted at the International Space Station, and it was performed by the United States. The last spacewalk from the Russian segment was in late October 2025.
The history of the "Orlan" spacesuit dates back to December 1977, when it was initially used on the Soviet Salyut 6 and Salyut 7 space stations. Improved versions were used on the Mir space station.
The latest Orlan-MKS model has been in service since 2017. This is the eighth set being sent up and should remain in use until the space station is decommissioned, around 2032.
This is Russia's eighth space launch of 2026, the third using the Soyuz 2.1a rocket, and the second Progress spacecraft launch.
It is also the second launch mission from the Baikonur Cosmodrome since it sustained serious damage and was repaired following the launch of Soyuz MS-28 on November 27, 2025.