Progress M-18M Underwent Tests for Air-Tightness

Within last week, the Progress M-18M cargo spaceship has been successfully tested for air-tightness. Today at the mounting and test facility, Pad 254 the cargo ship is being transported from vacuum chamber to stand. Upon the Progress M-18M connecting to ground test equipment, the tests will be continued.

Today at the fuel station of Pad 31 the experts from the FGUP „TsENKI“’s Yuzhny Space Center began preparation of fuel station equipment for filling the Progress M-18M propulsion system with fuel components and compressed gases.

The launch of the Soyuz-U rocket with Progress M-18M cargo spaceship is scheduled for February 2013. The spaceship will carry more than 2.5 tons of supplies to the ISS – experiments, spare parts for the station, fuel to maintain the ISS orbit, food, water, and oxygen for astronauts.

ROSCOSMOS press service

Source: www.roscosmos.ru