Progress MS-26

Progress MS-26 (Прогресс МC-26), Russian production No.456, identified by NASA as Progress 87P, is a Progress spaceflight launched by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). It is the 179th flight of a Progress spacecraft.

History
The Progress-MS is an uncrewed freighter based on the Progress-M featuring improved avionics. This improved variant first launched on 21 December 2015. It has the following improvements:


 * New external compartment that enables it to deploy satellites. Each compartment can hold up to four launch containers. First time installed on Progress MS-03.
 * Enhanced redundancy thanks to the addition of a backup system of electrical motors for the docking and sealing mechanism.
 * Improved Micrometeoroid (MMOD) protection with additional panels in the cargo compartment.
 * Luch Russian relay satellites link capabilities enable telemetry and control even when not in direct view of ground radio stations.
 * GNSS autonomous navigation enables real time determination of the status vector and orbital parameters dispensing with the need of ground station orbit determination.
 * Real time relative navigation thanks to direct radio data exchange capabilities with the space station.
 * New digital radio that enables enhanced TV camera view for the docking operations.
 * Unified Command Telemetry System (UCTS) replaces previous Ukrainian Chezara Kvant-V as the Progress spacecraft's on-board radio and antenna/feeder system.
 * Replacement of the Kurs A with Kurs NA digital system.

Launch
A Soyuz-2.1a launched Progress MS-26 to the International Space Station from Baikonur Site 31/6 on 15 February 2024. Later, Progress MS-26 automatically docked with Zvezda and is continuing its mission on 17 February 2024, supporting Expedition 70 aboard the ISS.

Cargo
The MS-26 cargo capacity is 2518 kg as follows:
 * Dry cargo: 1478 kg
 * Fuel: 580 kg
 * Oxygen: 580 kg
 * Water: 420 kg
 * Nitrogen: 40 kg