Progress MS

The Progress MS is the latest version of the Russian Progress cargo spacecraft series, first launched in 2015. MS stands for modernized systems, and the upgrades focus on communications and navigation. It is an evolution of the Progress M with minimal external change, mainly in the placement of antennas, sensors and thrusters, and Roscosmos uses it for cargo flights to the International Space Station. Progress MS-01 made its maiden flight on 21 December 2015. Like earlier variants it has a cargo section based on the Soyuz orbital module, a tanker section in place of the reentry module that holds propellant, water and gases for transfer to the station, and an instrumentation and propulsion section that also reboosts the station. Its launch mass is 7,440 kilograms. A Russian-made Kurs-NA docking system replaced the earlier Ukrainian-built Kurs.