Anatoly Zak

Anatoly Zak

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Space historian (russianspaceweb.com); extensive coverage of Russian spaceflight.

ISS Captures Progress MS-33 Docking with Antenna Snag
SocialMar 25, 2026

ISS Captures Progress MS-33 Docking with Antenna Snag

Newly released images taken from the ISS of yesterday's docking with the Progress MS-33 cargo ship, with a stuck antenna clearly visible on the right of docking mechanism. More pics and context: https://t.co/GL29AvnJQ5 https://t.co/7idPQ8z9Ix

By Anatoly Zak
Soyuz Launch Reveals Unexpected Military‑style Payload Fairing
SocialMar 24, 2026

Soyuz Launch Reveals Unexpected Military‑style Payload Fairing

Note to illustrators: videos of last night's Soyuz launch show that it used a different ("military" style) payload fairing from the Ariane-4-derived 81KS type depicted by the satellite developer. Context: https://t.co/zaum1S7eWh https://t.co/7iPE8xWFls

By Anatoly Zak
NASA Switches Progress MS-33 Docking to Manual After Antenna Failure
SocialMar 24, 2026

NASA Switches Progress MS-33 Docking to Manual After Antenna Failure

NASA: All attempts to deploy 1 of 2 Progress MS-33 Kurs rendezvous antenna did not succeed, so the docking will be switched to manual mode as first planned yesterday... Progress MS-33 is now tracked by an ISS camera: https://t.co/P6h1cwOAXH...

By Anatoly Zak
Unveiling Plesetsk's Secret Unannounced Orbital Launch
SocialMar 24, 2026

Unveiling Plesetsk's Secret Unannounced Orbital Launch

OK, we will try to chronicle the curious case of an unprecedented/unannounced orbital launch from Plesetsk on the linked page (work in progress, of course): https://t.co/zaum1S7eWh

By Anatoly Zak
Eyewitness Claims Possible ICBM Launch Near Plesetsk
SocialMar 23, 2026

Eyewitness Claims Possible ICBM Launch Near Plesetsk

There is an eyewitness report on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki web forum from the Ukhta area (NE of Plesetsk) about a rocket launch and stage separation (in one piece), possibly indicating an ICBM launch: https://t.co/bElbE6hVlW https://t.co/adIadiu1hY

By Anatoly Zak
Progress MS-33 Antenna Failure Forces Manual TORU Docking
SocialMar 22, 2026

Progress MS-33 Antenna Failure Forces Manual TORU Docking

One of the rendezvous antennas aboard Progress MS-33 failed to deploy, likely prompting the use of the TORU manual-control by the ISS crew to guide the cargo ship to docking... https://t.co/snqlHtWeDl

By Anatoly Zak
Soyuz Launches Progress MS‑33 Cargo to the ISS
SocialMar 22, 2026

Soyuz Launches Progress MS‑33 Cargo to the ISS

A Soyuz rocket lifts off from Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, carrying the Progress MS-33 cargo ship to the International Space Station. Mission details, updates: https://t.co/U0Mzlpkmer https://t.co/VKOSMpjPHC

By Anatoly Zak
Soyuz‑Progress Launch Set From Restored Site 31
SocialMar 22, 2026

Soyuz‑Progress Launch Set From Restored Site 31

A Soyuz rocket with a Progress cargo ship is ready to lift off from the newly restored launch pad at Site 31 in one hour: https://t.co/U0Mzlpkmer https://t.co/rFVE71MWiO

By Anatoly Zak
First Cargo Launch From Repaired Site 31 Tomorrow
SocialMar 21, 2026

First Cargo Launch From Repaired Site 31 Tomorrow

A cargo mission to lift off from the repaired pad at Site 31 tomorrow for the first time (details, updates): https://t.co/U0Mzlpkmer

By Anatoly Zak
Roskosmos Launches Parallel Cargo Missions to Recover ISS Supply
SocialMar 18, 2026

Roskosmos Launches Parallel Cargo Missions to Recover ISS Supply

Roskosmos conducts a rather rare parallel cargo ship launch campaigns in Baikonur, with Progress MS-34 in early tests and Progress MS-33 on the pad, in an effort to make up the ISS resupply schedule after the November pad accident. Context:...

By Anatoly Zak
Soyuz‑5 Test Launch Set for March 27, Officials Warn of Debris
SocialMar 17, 2026

Soyuz‑5 Test Launch Set for March 27, Officials Warn of Debris

Soyuz-5 rocket to fly its inaugural test mission on March 27, according to local authorities in the Yugra Region, warning population on fragments' impact; no confirmation from Roskosmos yet: https://t.co/DBcHRiQe36 https://t.co/wHpGAkKqBV

By Anatoly Zak
Progress MS-31 Departs ISS, Paving Path for Next Resupply
SocialMar 16, 2026

Progress MS-31 Departs ISS, Paving Path for Next Resupply

Progress MS-31 undocks from ISS to clear the way for the next resupply mission: https://t.co/8NFAf26ZvR https://t.co/rvJcBU6rTq

By Anatoly Zak
Progress MS-33 Sealed in Fairing for March 22 ISS Launch
SocialMar 13, 2026

Progress MS-33 Sealed in Fairing for March 22 ISS Launch

Progress MS-33 cargo ship was encapsulated inside its fairing in preparation for an ISS resupply mission scheduled to lift off on March 22: https://t.co/mN4Hi2mIUG https://t.co/13WiUz4NSF

By Anatoly Zak
Russia's Comsat Failure Highlights Delayed Domestic Satellite Plans
SocialMar 7, 2026

Russia's Comsat Failure Highlights Delayed Domestic Satellite Plans

Russia's Ekspress-AT1 comsat shuts down mysteriously as Roskosmos is struggling to transition to domestic development of communications satellites. The replacement is promised at the end of 2030... if money available. Details: https://t.co/OeG1s4wfhC https://t.co/gjAig4ks29

By Anatoly Zak
Next‑Gen Space Station Gets Major Life‑Support Upgrade
SocialMar 3, 2026

Next‑Gen Space Station Gets Major Life‑Support Upgrade

For our subscribers, a long read with exclusive details on the latest upgrades of the life-support system and food/water supply proposed for the next-generation space station. Full story is on the site... https://t.co/URv1wBb2k4

By Anatoly Zak
NASA's Lunar Plan: Three Super‑Heavy Rockets, Two Landers, One Transport
SocialFeb 27, 2026

NASA's Lunar Plan: Three Super‑Heavy Rockets, Two Landers, One Transport

Key elements of NASA's lunar exploration architecture and milestones: (three dissimilar super-heavy launchers, two piloted lunar landers, one crew transport):

By Anatoly Zak
Cold War Lunar Lander Reappears After 55 Years
SocialFeb 27, 2026

Cold War Lunar Lander Reappears After 55 Years

55 YEARS AGO: The Soviet lunar lander for a single cosmonaut reappears in the Earth's orbit. Details on the site (subscription)... https://t.co/aJuVReTuyb

By Anatoly Zak
Roscosmos Completes Solar Array Tests, Site 31 Repairs Near Finish
SocialFeb 27, 2026

Roscosmos Completes Solar Array Tests, Site 31 Repairs Near Finish

Roskosmos reports completion of solar array tests in the ongoing Progress MS-33 launch campaign in Baikonur, while construction crews are finishing repairs at Site 31: https://t.co/mN4Hi2mIUG https://t.co/ih3V7RDbih

By Anatoly Zak
Soviet Dogs Lead 1966 Secret Voskhod Mission Against Gemini
SocialFeb 22, 2026

Soviet Dogs Lead 1966 Secret Voskhod Mission Against Gemini

60 YEARS AGO TODAY: The USSR launches a Voskhod spacecraft with the dogs Ugolyok and Veterok on a secret mission to prepare a response to NASA's Gemini project. FULL STORY: https://t.co/AWISaZC2RC

By Anatoly Zak
Celebrating 40 Years of Mir with Virtual Reconstruction
SocialFeb 20, 2026

Celebrating 40 Years of Mir with Virtual Reconstruction

40 YEARS AGO TODAY: The USSR launches the 1st element of the Mir orbital complex. To mark the occasion, I am working on the complete virtual reconstruction of the spacecraft, which will be used to illustrate 15 years of Mir's operation:...

By Anatoly Zak
Considering Soviet Space History Over Modern
SocialFeb 16, 2026

Considering Soviet Space History Over Modern

I now have quite a collection of messages like the one below, so the only solution I see is shifting my focus from today's Russia to the Soviet space history, but I am open to other suggestions and, of course,...

By Anatoly Zak
Roskosmos Preps Progress MS-33 for Site 31 Return
SocialFeb 15, 2026

Roskosmos Preps Progress MS-33 for Site 31 Return

Roskosmos resumes processing of the Progress MS-33 cargo ship in Baikonur in anticipation of the return to flight from the restored Site 31 after the service platform collapse last year: https://t.co/mN4Hi2mIUG https://t.co/dpnK9COwOB

By Anatoly Zak
Falcon‑9/Dragon Launches First 2026 ISS Crew
SocialFeb 13, 2026

Falcon‑9/Dragon Launches First 2026 ISS Crew

Falcon-9/Dragon lifts off from Cape Canaveral carrying the first International Space Station crew of 2026 (USCV-12). It is 303rd mission of the ISS poject: https://t.co/z0hQPyE0Zn https://t.co/113UjWl1F5

By Anatoly Zak
Proton Rocket Launches Elektro‑L5 Weather Satellite From Baikonur
SocialFeb 12, 2026

Proton Rocket Launches Elektro‑L5 Weather Satellite From Baikonur

Proton rocket lifts off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, with the Elektro-L5 weather satellite. DETAILS, UPDATES: https://t.co/XRGzszk0qi https://t.co/3ZESECT8GH

By Anatoly Zak
New Platform Restores Soyuz Launch Pad at Baikonur
SocialFeb 10, 2026

New Platform Restores Soyuz Launch Pad at Baikonur

Replacement to the collapsed service platform, that disabled the only launch pad for piloted Soyuz rockets, was now installed at Site 31, according to rumors from Baikonur, marking a major milestone in the repairs of the facility: https://t.co/Gej3DU7zrd https://t.co/2jiuluTuxl

By Anatoly Zak
Proton Rocket Returns to Pad After Three Years
SocialFeb 9, 2026

Proton Rocket Returns to Pad After Three Years

Proton rocket returned to launch pad this morning in preparation for its first flight in nearly three years on Thursday: https://t.co/DyHPm6OdhH https://t.co/KXqkCYSXcA

By Anatoly Zak