A Russian Progress freighter carrying 2.8 tons of cargo is set to launch toward the International Space Station (ISS) today, September 11, 2023. The launch is scheduled for 11:54 a.m. EDT (15:54 GMT; 8:54 p.m. local time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Viewers can watch the launch live on Space.com or directly through NASA’s coverage, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. EDT (15:30 GMT).
The Progress 93 freighter will transport essential supplies, including food, propellant, and various other items, to the astronauts currently aboard the ISS as part of the Expedition 73 mission. If all proceeds as planned, Progress 93 will dock with the Zvezda service module of the ISS on September 13, 2023, at 1:27 p.m. EDT (17:27 GMT). NASA will also provide live coverage of this docking, starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT (16:30 GMT).
Progress 93 is expected to remain attached to the ISS for approximately six months. After fulfilling its mission, the freighter will depart, carrying waste from the astronauts, which will burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Upcoming Launches and Spacecraft
Today’s launch marks just one of several upcoming missions to the ISS. Following the Progress 93 mission, Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus vehicle is set to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on September 14, 2023, at 6:11 p.m. EDT (22:11 GMT). Similar to Progress, Cygnus is designed for single-use. In contrast, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is reusable, splashing down in the ocean at the end of its missions for recovery.
The ongoing collaboration between various space agencies and private companies continues to enhance supply routes to the ISS, ensuring that astronauts aboard can perform their vital research and experiments in low Earth orbit. Each launch plays a significant role in sustaining life aboard the ISS and advancing our understanding of space exploration.
As the world watches these events unfold, the implications for international cooperation in space remain profound, highlighting the shared goals of exploration and scientific inquiry.