[SatNews] Preparations continue for Russia's launch of their Progress M-26M spacecraft.

On February 4, the Progress Rocket and Space Center specialists conducted pneumatic tests of the Soyuz-U booster's first stage side blocks and matched 2A and 1A blocks. This occurred after the M-26M had been transported to the launchpad's fuel service area, where the Yuzhny space centre specialists started filling the tanks with pressurized gas and propellant components. Once this work is completed, the rocket will be returned to the integration building for further testing.

At the same time, the specialists started preparing #1 launchpad ( Gagarin launch) for the receipt of the Soyuz-U booster with the Progress M-26M cargo vehicle, where they will pass final prelaunch preparations.

The launch of the Soyuz-U booster with the Progress M-26M cargo vehicle is scheduled for February 17, at 14:00 hours,  Moscow time.