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Russian space freighter docks with ISS

RIA Novosti

13/05/2009 10:27 MISSION CONTROL (Korolyov, Moscow Region), May 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's unmanned Progress M-02M cargo spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS) as scheduled late on Tuesday.

The modified version of the standard Progress craft docked at 23:23 p.m. Moscow time (19:23 GMT), bringing 2.5 tons of supplies to the orbiter, including food, water, scientific equipment and messages for the three-member crew.

A third newly designed Russian spacesuit was also delivered, and is expected to be tested by Gennady Padalka, the crew's Russian commander, during a spacewalk.

The new suits are completely computerized and warn the astronaut in the event of any problems.

It took the new spacecraft five days instead of the usual two to reach the ISS as the freighter underwent a number of flight tests en route to the orbital station. The freighter is equipped with an on-board digital control system and it replaces the analog-controlled Progress spacecraft.

The crew also received three St. George ribbons in honor of Victory Day, which Russia celebrated last Saturday. More than 45 million ribbons have been distributed throughout the world as part of the campaign, started by RIA Novosti and the Student Community youth organization five years ago. The orange and black ribbons commemorate the heroes of the eastern front during World War II.