Soyuz 2.1a Progress MS-34 Launch Success — 25 April 2026

What happened?

A Russian Soyuz 2.1a rocket successfully launched the Progress MS-34 (95P) cargo freighter toward the International Space Station on 25 April 2026 at 22:21:47 UTC from Pad 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. ROSCOSMOS, the Russian Federal Space Agency, confirmed the mission reached orbit and the uncrewed resupply spacecraft separated as planned.

Progress is Russia's expendable robotic cargo spacecraft, derived from the crewed Soyuz capsule, that carries food, fuel, water and equipment to the ISS and later burns up on reentry to dispose of station waste.

Did the launch succeed?

Yes. The launch is confirmed as a Success. The three-stage Soyuz 2.1a placed Progress MS-34 into its initial parking orbit, from which the freighter used its own thrusters to raise altitude and chase the station orbiting at roughly 400 km, traveling at about 28,000 km/h.

When was the launch?

Liftoff occurred at 25 April 2026, 22:21:47 UTC. Progress missions to the ISS typically follow a fast two-orbit or standard multi-day rendezvous profile before docking automatically using the Kurs radar system.

What is the Soyuz 2.1a?

The Soyuz 2.1a is the modernized, digitally-controlled variant of the legendary R-7 rocket family, which has flown since 1957 and remains the most-launched orbital rocket in history. Key characteristics:

• Configuration: Three stages plus four strap-on boosters in the classic Korolev cross arrangement.
• Height: Approximately 46 metres.
• Liftoff mass: Around 312 tonnes.
• Payload to LEO: Roughly 7,000 kg, more than enough for a fully loaded Progress freighter.

The 2.1a upgrade replaced the analog flight-control system with a digital one, improving injection accuracy and enabling the rocket to carry larger, more complex payloads.

What is the payload?

The payload is Progress MS-34, the 34th flight of the upgraded MS-series Progress spacecraft. Each Progress can deliver roughly 2,400 kg of cargo, including dry goods in the pressurized module plus propellant, water and pressurized gases in its refueling and tankage systems. The freighter also periodically fires its engines to reboost the ISS to a higher altitude, countering atmospheric drag.

Once docked, the crew unloads supplies over several weeks, then repacks the vehicle with trash before it undocks and performs a destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean.

Where did it launch from?

The mission lifted off from Pad 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's oldest and largest operational spaceport, leased by Russia from Kazakhstan. Baikonur has been the launch site for every crewed Soyuz mission and remains the primary departure point for Progress resupply flights.

Launch details at a glance

How to watch and track it live

ROSCOSMOS and NASA typically stream Progress launches and dockings. You can now follow Progress MS-34 as it chases and berths with the station using Cosmik's live ISS tracker and full 3D solar system and satellite map. For upcoming missions, check the rocket launch schedule and the latest launch news.

Background: the Progress program

Progress has resupplied space stations continuously since 1978, first serving Salyut and Mir before becoming a workhorse of the ISS program. Multiple Progress vehicles fly each year, keeping the outpost stocked with essentials and maintaining its orbit through regular reboosts.

Launch data for this mission is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library. Additional background is available on the Soyuz-2, Progress spacecraft, and Baikonur Cosmodrome Wikipedia pages.

Follow it live on Cosmik

Track Progress MS-34 and the ISS in real time on Cosmik's free 3D map, explore the full launch schedule, and enable free launch alerts so you never miss a liftoff or docking.