Russia Launches Progress MS-33 to ISS from Repaired Pad

Russia successfully launched an unmanned cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station from its repaired launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 22, 2026, marking the first liftoff from the site since it sustained damage during a crewed mission last year.

The Soyuz-2.1a rocket, carrying the Progress MS-33 freighter, lifted off at 12:00 GMT from Site 31, Russia's sole operational pad for Soyuz crew capsules and Progress cargo vehicles bound for the ISS. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, confirmed the spacecraft reached orbit successfully and was proceeding on a nominal trajectory. The freighter, loaded with approximately three tons of food, fuel, water, and other supplies, is scheduled to dock automatically with the station's Poisk module on March 24 at around 13:34 GMT. Once attached, it will remain for about six months before being filled with waste and deorbited to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

The launch restores Russia's ability to conduct both crewed and cargo missions to the ISS after months of disruption. Site 31 was severely damaged on November 27, 2025, immediately following the liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which carried two...