Progress 96

History

Progress 96 is an uncrewed Russian cargo spacecraft launched in September 2026 to deliver food, fuel, and other supplies to the International Space Station. The mission is operated by Roscosmos and is also identified as Progress MS-35.

The spacecraft was launched on September 16, 2026, aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Its cargo load was described as about three tons, with mission data also giving a cargo mass of 2,600 kg.

Progress 96 was placed safely into orbit for a planned three-day rendezvous with the International Space Station. At launch, autonomous docking with the space-facing port of the station's Poisk module was scheduled for September 19.

Launch

Progress 96 lifted off from Baikonur at 13:33 GMT on September 16, 2026. The Soyuz launch sequence proceeded normally, and deployment of the spacecraft's solar arrays was completed after orbital insertion.

The launch followed the departure of Progress 94 from the International Space Station's Poisk module on September 7, clearing the docking location intended for Progress 96.

Design

Progress 96 is a robotic, uncrewed cargo spacecraft designed to transport consumables and station supplies to the International Space Station. Progress spacecraft carry pressurized cargo such as food and equipment, while separate tanks accommodate fuel, water, and gases that can be transferred to the station through automated systems.

The spacecraft uses solar arrays to provide electrical power in orbit. Its rendezvous plan called for autonomous docking with the Poisk module, without a crew aboard the cargo vehicle.

Progress spacecraft are expendable. After their station missions, they can be loaded with waste, undocked, and commanded to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, where they are destroyed during atmospheric entry.

Mission profile

Progress 96 carried approximately three tons of food, fuel, and other supplies for the International Space Station. A more specific mission cargo figure of 2,600 kg is also given for Progress MS-35.

The spacecraft was scheduled to reach the station after a three-day flight and dock autonomously with the space-facing port of the Poisk module. The mission plan called for Progress 96 to remain attached to the station for about five months.

After completion of its docked mission, the spacecraft was planned to be filled with station waste, depart the International Space Station, and make a destructive atmospheric re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.

Specifications (Progress 96 / Progress MS-35)

General characteristics

• Type: Uncrewed cargo spacecraft
• Operator: Roscosmos
• Crew: Uncrewed
• Primary role: International Space Station resupply
• Cargo: 2,600 kg; also described as about three tons
• Cargo types: Food, fuel, and other station supplies

Mission

• Launch date: September 16, 2026
• Launch time: 13:33 GMT
• Launch vehicle: Soyuz rocket
• Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
• Destination: International Space Station
• Planned rendezvous duration: Three days
• Planned docking location: Poisk module, space-facing port
• Planned docked duration: About five months
• Planned disposition: Destructive atmospheric re-entry over the Pacific Ocean after departure from the station