KOROLYOV, Moscow region. Feb 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's Progress M-18M resupply ship has docked with the Pirs module of the International Space Station (ISS), an Interfax-AVN correspondent reported from the Mission Control Center in Korolyov on Tuesday.
"Docking complete," said a loudspeaker announcement.
The docking was done automatically under the supervision of Russian engineers Oleg Novitsky and Roman Romanenko.
"Progress M-18M reached the ISS within six hours by taking a shortcut tested in the two previous resupply missions. The standard delivery time is two days. The shortcut will be taken by a manned spaceship for the first time this March in the Soyuz TMA-08M mission.
The resupply ship delivered over 1,500 kilograms of fuel components, 50 kilograms of oxygen in cylinders, 420 kilograms of water in tanks, 140 kilograms of research equipment, 180 kilograms of medical supplies, 360 kilograms of food and water and personal parcels for ISS crew members. Several Russian flags and a new treadmill have been delivered, too. The total weight of the cargo is 2,638 kilograms. The takeoff weight is approximately 7,300 kilograms.