The new-series logistics vehicle Progress МS-04 within the orbital module was transported for final integration with launch vehicle Soyuz-U.

The transportation was performed by rail. A set of processing activities for final integration will be conducted at the integration and checkout facility of the launch vehicles within the processing operations.

The launch of Progress MS-04 under the International Space Station (ISS) program is scheduled on December 1, 2016.

The vehicle will deliver to the ISS about 2.5 tons of various cargo, including ”dry” cargo, propellant in the combined propulsion system and refueling system tanks, water and compressed gases. Scientific equipment and components for the life support system, as well as containers with food, clothing, medical supplies and personal hygiene items for the crewmembers are stowed in the cargo compartment.

The new-series transportation spacecraft Progress MS and Soyuz MS designed and built by RSC Energia were developed as a result of a radical upgrade of Progress M and Soyuz TMA spacecraft. The onboard command radio system Kvant-B was replaced with an integrated command and telemetry system with an additional telemetry channel. The new command radio link will make it possible to receive signals via relay satellites Luch-5, which will significantly increase the radio coverage zone for the spacecraft – up to 70% of an orbit. The spacecraft are are equipped with an advanced onboard radio system for rendezvous and docking Kurs-NA. Instead of the analog TV system Klyost, the spacecraft will use a digital TV system. The onboard equipment of the Soyuz MS and Progress MS series spacecraft includes a new Digital Backup Loop Control Unit developed by RSC Energia, an upgraded Rate Sensor Unit BDUS-3A and a LED headlight SFOK. Thanks to the use of new ground and onboard radio systems, it became possible to use state-of-the-art data transmission protocols, which resulted in improved operational stability of spacecraft control system.