Russia Restores Launch Capability with Successful Cargo Mission to ISS After Cosmodrome Repairs

Russia has successfully launched an uncrewed Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, marking the first launch from a repaired launch pad since damage occurred in November 2023. The launch, which took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. Baikonur time (7:59 a.m. EDT), is a significant step in restoring Russia’s full operational capacity for crewed and cargo missions to the ISS.

Baikonur Cosmodrome Repairs

Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Russia’s primary launch pad for human spaceflight, sustained damage during the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 mission in November 2023. A portion of the launch site collapsed during lift-off, temporarily halting crewed missions. Repairs were completed earlier this month, paving the way for the resumption of launches.

Progress MS-33 Mission Details

The Progress MS-33 spacecraft, launched on a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, is carrying approximately three tons of essential supplies – including food, fuel and equipment – to the orbiting laboratory. NASA confirmed the spacecraft is safely in orbit and en route to the ISS.

Whereas one of the Progress spacecraft’s two KURS automated rendezvous antennas did not deploy as planned, all other systems are operating normally. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the space-facing port of the station’s Poisk module at 9:34 a.m. Tuesday, March 24. If the antenna issue persists, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov will manually pilot the spacecraft using the TORU (Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous System) located in the Zvezda Service Module. NASA will provide live coverage of the rendezvous and docking beginning at 8:45 a.m. On NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel.

Russia’s Space Program: Recent Challenges

The successful launch from the repaired Baikonur pad represents a recovery for Russia’s space program, which has faced challenges in recent years. These include setbacks following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of the Luna-25 lunar lander in 2023. The launch similarly follows recent repairs to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain and modernize Russia’s space infrastructure.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome itself is leased to Russia by Kazakhstan, with the agreement currently set to last until at least 2050. The launch of Progress MS-33 demonstrates Russia’s continued commitment to its role in the ISS program.