The initial demonstration satellite for the Internet of Things, Marathon-IoT, faced a delay as teams worked to validate the software and refine the research plan. The update indicated that once these tasks are complete, Marathon-IoT would proceed to space as a passing payload, contributing to the broader IoT satellite initiative.
Roscosmos outlined plans to launch Marathon-IoT into orbit in tandem with Meteor-M satellite No. 2-4 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, targeting the first quarter of the year. This synchronized launch approach underscores the coordination required for multiple satellites to achieve their mission objectives while fitting within the available launch window.
In another milestone, the Soyuz-2.1a rocket carried the Progress MS-26 cargo ship from Baikonur, delivering more than 2.5 tons of supplies to the International Space Station. Shortly after liftoff, the vehicle reached low Earth orbit, and docking with the Zvezda service module on the ISS was scheduled to occur a couple of days later. This sequence reflects the ongoing cadence of cargo deliveries that support long-term station operations and research pursuits in low Earth orbit.
There has also been historical reference to early experimental propulsion concepts, including notes about alternative engine ideas that explored propulsion technologies of the past. These remarks highlight the ongoing spectrum of space engineering research and the move toward more efficient and scalable systems even as current missions proceed.