6 Months docked to ISS
Progress is derived from the manned Soyuz spacecraft and is launched on the same vehicle, a Soyuz rocket. The purpose of Progress is to deliver supplies needed to sustain human presence in orbit. Currently it is used as a re-supply spacecraft for the ISS.
Progress-MS is an improved variant which first launched on 21 December 2015. It has the following improvements: - New external compartment that enables it to deploy satellites. - Enhanced redundancy - Improved Micrometeoroid (MMOD) protection - Luch Russian relay satellites link capabilities - GNSS autonomous navigation - Real time relative navigation - New digital radio The Ukrainian Chezara Kvant-V on board radio system and antenna/feeder system has been replaced with a Unified Command Telemetry System (UCTS). - Replacement of the Kurs A with Kurs NA digital system.