Russian cargo ship takes the express route for same-day delivery to space station

News Brief: A robotic Russian Progress cargo craft today was sent on an “fast-track” trajectory that should get it to the International Space Station in less time than it takes to drive from Seattle to Spokane. Liftoff of the Progress’ Soyuz rocket from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan came at 2:51 p.m. PT. The Progress and its payload, consisting of nearly three tons’ worth of food, fuel and supplies, are scheduled to arrive at the orbital outpost at 6:39 p.m. PT, with NASA providing live coverage of the hookup. The transit is taking 3.5 hours instead of the usual two days due to a carefully planned two-orbit trajectory that Russia plans to use eventually for crewed as well as uncrewed flights.