The uncrewed Russian Progress MS-32 spacecraft launched on its vital resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 11, 2025, at 11:54 a.m. EDT (15:54 UTC). The launch occurred from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, aboard a Soyuz 2.1a rocket.
The spacecraft is carrying approximately 2,500 kilograms of essential provisions, including 515 kilograms of propellant, 420 kilograms of water, and 40 kilograms of compressed nitrogen. These supplies are crucial for the ongoing operations and the well-being of the Expedition 73 crew. The Progress MS-32 is expected to dock autonomously with the ISS's Zvezda module on September 13, 2025, at approximately 1:27 p.m. EDT (17:27 UTC).
This resupply mission highlights Roscosmos's commitment to supporting the ISS and its crew. The ISS continues to be a key platform for international space research, with numerous missions planned for 2025. This launch follows recent resupply efforts, such as the Progress MS-31 mission. The Expedition 73 crew comprises astronauts from NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA, who have been actively involved in scientific research and station maintenance.
Recent activities by the Expedition 73 crew include health monitoring in microgravity and preparations for spacewalks. Notably, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted a spacewalk on May 1, 2025, to upgrade the station's power infrastructure, which is essential for the future installation of new solar arrays. The ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2, 2000, demonstrating a long-standing international cooperation in space exploration.
The partnership between NASA and Roscosmos remains vital for the integrated operation of the ISS, despite evolving geopolitical landscapes. Future plans for the ISS include the addition of new modules and a potential extension of its operational life, with current projections indicating continued activity until the end of 2030. The successful launch of Progress MS-32 reinforces the collaborative spirit driving space exploration forward.