ISS Cargo Missions: Progress 93 and Cygnus XL Deliveries

Introduction

The Progress 93 and Cygnus XL cargo missions to ISS are set to make this week one of the busiest for Expedition 73. One spacecraft is already in orbit, while another is preparing for launch. The crew will manage docking operations, unload thousands of pounds of supplies, and continue vital heart, bone, and fermentation research in microgravity.

Progress 93 Nears Docking

Roscosmos’ Progress 93 is carrying nearly three tons of food, fuel, and supplies. It launched Thursday and is now orbiting Earth. The craft will perform automated maneuvers before docking to the Zvezda service module’s aft port at 1:27 p.m. EDT Saturday. It will remain attached for six months. Commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritsky confirmed readiness with mission control on Friday. They will monitor the approach on Saturday. The hatch will be opened Sunday to begin unloading. NASA+ will stream live coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Cygnus XL Prepares for Record Delivery

Northrop Grumman’s expanded Cygnus XL will launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 at 5:11 p.m. EDT Sunday from Cape Canaveral. It will deliver over 11,000 pounds of science gear and supplies — its largest load yet. Arrival is planned for 6:35 a.m. EDT Wednesday. NASA astronauts Jonny Kim and Zena Cardman will operate the Canadarm2 from the cupola to capture Cygnus about 10 meters from the station.

Science and Medical Work in Orbit

On Friday, Cardman replaced radiation monitor cables in the Columbus lab and inspected hardware for the DNA Stability food production experiment. Kim worked with Mike Fincke on a thigh cuff study. The cuff may reduce fluid shifts toward the head in microgravity, protecting astronauts’ vision. Fincke collected data using chest electrodes and Ultrasound 2 scans while Kim wore the cuff. On Sunday, Kim and Cardman will treat bone stem cell samples to help doctors understand microgravity’s effects on bone health.

International Contributions

JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui photographed the thigh cuff experiment for ground review. He set up a Kibo module incubator for the Dassai Moon sake yeast fermentation study. Later, he replaced a light bulb on a research rack and reviewed cargo for return on a SpaceX Dragon. Roscosmos’ Oleg Platonov trained on the PK‑4 complex plasma experiment, which could improve spacecraft design and industrial processes. He also photographed glaciers in Patagonia for an environmental monitoring study.