NEWTOWN, Conn. - The Progress cargo transfer vehicle fills a role as a resupply vehicle for crew members on the International Space Station (ISS). Even as new U.S. commercial resupply vehicles enter service, the importance of the Progress continues. This importance was demonstrated when both U.S. cargo transports - the SpaceX Dragon and Orbital ATK Cygnus - suffered launch failures in 2015.
The Progress will continue to fulfill Russia's obligations to resupply the space station. Russia will also continue to upgrade the spacecraft, with the next variant planned to launch in late 2015 as of the time this report was written.
Despite a goal of building five or six Progress vehicles per year, only four were delivered in 2012, 2013, and 2014. It is likely that higher than usual failure rates and reduced burden on the Progress due to increased international support contributed to these reduced launch rates. That said, Russia expects to launch five Progress vehicles in 2015.
At one point, Russian officials suggested they would replace the Progress with a new cargo transfer vehicle. However, it now appears that Moscow will continue to update the Progress in an incremental fashion.
These updates ensure that Progress production will continue through the life of the space station. In addition, considering that four Progress vehicles have launched over the past three years, production will likely continue at that level going forward.
With ISS partners discussing extending the life of the science platform to 2024, it is likely Progress production will continue until at least that year.
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