Posted: Wed, Sep 25, 2002, 8:20 PM ET (0020 GMT)
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A Soyuz rocket successfully launched a Russian Progress cargo spacecraft Wednesday on a mission to the International Space Station. The Soyuz lifted off from Baikonur at 12:58 pm EDT (1658 GMT) and placed into orbit the Progress-M1 9 spacecraft, which NASA alternatively calls Progress 9. The Progress is scheduled to dock with the ISS Sunday at 1:07 pm EDT (1707 GMT). The spacecraft is carrying food, fuel, and other supplies for the three-person station crew. The Progress payload also includes a plant growth experiment developed by Utah State University as well as census forms for the Russian members of the crew.