The Progress spacecraft being delivered by the rocket is unmanned, and filled with supplies for the crew of the International Space Station.

FORBES: Russian Spacecraft Launched Successfully

Rassvet will be used for cargo storage and as a fourth docking port for the Soyuz and Progress spacecraft's crew and cargo vehicles.

BBC: Atlantis set for 'final' return

Yesterday, the Russian space program successfully launched its Progress spacecraft, which is set to dock with the International Space Station on Wednesday.

FORBES: Russian Spacecraft Launched Successfully

Early in the year, a Soyuz rocket carrying an unmanned Progress spacecraft suffered a launch failure, a failure that had some concerned that NASA might decide to leave the International Space Station without a crew.

FORBES: Russian Space Program Suffers Another Failed Launch

Before leaving the space station, the Progress 47 spacecraft conducted a test of an upgraded docking system that Russia intends to use on future unmanned Progress and manned Soyuz vehicles.

MSN: Unmanned Russian cargo ship says goodbye to space station

Late on Friday, the unmanned Russian Progress 46 spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station.

FORBES: Progress 46 Successfully Docks With International Space Station

This comes as a pretty big blow to the Russian space program, which had just emerged from its failed launch in April to have successfully launched its Progress 45 unmanned spacecraft and also successfully docked it with the International Space Station.

FORBES: Russian Mars Probe Will Probably Fall To Earth Next Month