spacetoday.net: Progress docked to ISS manually

Progress docked to ISS manually

Posted: Sun, Oct 31, 2010, 10:23 AM ET (1423 GMT)
Progress M-08M on approach to ISS (NASA)

A Progress cargo spacecraft carrying supplies docked with the International Space Station on Saturday after a cosmonaut on the station took manual control of the approaching spacecraft. Alexander Kaleri took manual control of the Progress M-08M spacecraft (designated Progress 40 by NASA) and docked it to the station's Pirs module at 12:36 pm EDT (1636 GMT) Saturday. Progress spacecraft usually approach and dock automatically; officials only said that "technical reasons" required Kaleri to take over the docking process. The spacecraft is carrying about three tons of food, water, propellant, and other supplies for the station.