Posted: Wed, Jun 26, 2002, 10:12 AM ET (1412 GMT)
A Soyuz booster launched a Progress cargo spacecraft early Wednesday on a mission to the International Space Station. The spacecraft, known alternatively as Progress M-46 by Rosaviakosmos and Progress 8 by NASA, lifted off from Baikonur on a Soyuz booster at 1:36 am EDT (0536 GMT). The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the station on Saturday: while Progress spacecraft normally dock two days after launch, flight controllers plan to spend an additional day testing an automated rendezvous system that has experienced some glitches in the past. The Progress is carrying 2.4 tons of supplies and equipment for the Expedition Five crew currently on the station.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  SPACE.com article
•  RIA Novosti article
•  AP article