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4h ago

Progress MS-33 Launches From Repaired Baikonur Pad as Antenna Glitch Threatens Automated Docking

A KURS antenna failure could shift Tuesday’s Poisk docking to a TORU-guided manual approach.

A Soyuz-2.1a rocket booster with a Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan March 22, 2026. Roscosmos/Handout via REUTERS
Site 31 was Russia's only operational launch pad for crewed missions
Image
NASA

Overview

  • A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from Baikonur’s Site 31/6 at 12:00 GMT on March 22, placing the uncrewed cargo ship into orbit for a two-day flight to the ISS.
  • Roscosmos said one KURS automated rendezvous antenna did not deploy, and engineers are troubleshooting ahead of the planned March 24 docking.
  • If required, ISS commander Sergei Kud-Sverchkov will perform a manual rendezvous and docking using the TORU backup system from inside the station.
  • Progress MS-33 is delivering 2,509 kilograms of supplies, including 1,211 kg of dry cargo, 828 kg of propellant, 420 liters of water, and 50 kg of oxygen.
  • The launch marks the return to service of Site 31/6, repaired with a modified 1970s maintenance platform after November 2025 damage, restoring Russia’s ability to fly Soyuz and Progress missions to the ISS.