From lunar simulations in Arizona to autonomous docking in orbit
In short: NASA is currently managing two very different types of mission preparation. While engineers simulate the lunar surface in the Arizona desert, an unpiloted cargo spacecraft is preparing to rendezvous with the International Space Station, carrying essential supplies for the crew.
In northern Arizona, NASA engineers, scientists, and astronauts are currently engaged in a two-week mission simulation. This Desert RATS program mimics the conditions of the moon to prepare for future lunar exploration. Such terrestrial training is a critical component of NASA's broader strategy to build the foundations for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, specifically as part of the Artemis program.
Simultaneously, the International Space Station is preparing for a logistical handoff. A Soyuz rocket will carry the unmanned Progress 96 cargo vessel from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome, with liftoff set for 9:33 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. This mission follows the departure of the Progress 94 spacecraft, which undocked from the station at 11:18 a.m. on September 7.
The Progress 96 mission is a vital supply chain link, carrying approximately three tons of food, fuel, and other necessities. After a three-day journey, the spacecraft is set to dock autonomously to the Poisk module’s space-to-space port at 9:46 a.m. on Saturday, September 19. Once docked, the spacecraft will remain part of the orbiting laboratory for about five months. At the end of its stay, it will depart to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, where it is designed to burn up harmlessly over the Pacific Ocean.
These continuous operations are part of a legacy of human presence in low Earth orbit that has spanned more than 25 years. This ongoing habitation allows for scientific breakthroughs that are impossible to achieve on Earth and helps NASA prepare for the complexities of deep space travel.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Progress Docking and Desert RATS Top This Week @NASA
- Also: NASA to Cover Progress 96 Spacecraft Launch, Docking - NASA
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