spacetoday.net: Progress docks with ISS

Progress docks with ISS

Posted: Sun, May 2, 2010, 10:12 AM ET (1412 GMT)
The International Space Station crew performed a manual docking of a Progress cargo spacecraft on Saturday after an automated system failed. The Progress M-05M spacecraft, designated Progress 37 by NASA, docked with the Pirs module of the ISS at 2:30 pm EDT (1830 GMT) Saturday. The docking is normally performed in an automated mode, but the station's commander, Oleg Kotov, took over on final approach after the Progress's automated Kurs system appeared to lose attitude orientation after a thruster firing. The docking took place without incident after the switch to manual control. The spacecraft, launched Wednesday from Baikonur, carries over 2.5 tons of supplies and equipment for the station and its six-person crew.