BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan -- Russian space officials on Monday approved continuing the countdown toward a planned Jan. 29 launch of a Progress freighter to the International Space Station.

The meeting resulted in a "go" to load propellant and pressurized gases into the Progress M1-11 cargo vehicle, according to a statement by RSC Energia, which builds the critical supply ships.

Enclosed in its aerodynamic shell, the Progress spacecraft is seen here laying on its side in a hangar at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Russian letters for Progress are spelled out on the exterior.

From here the complete unmanned ship will be attached to the forward end of a Soyuz booster and the rolled out to the launch pad two days before liftoff. Launch is targeted for 6:58 a.m. EST (1158 GMT) on July 29 with docking at the station expected two days later.

CREDIT: RSC ENERGIA