“It feels like Christmas in July!”

That was the jubilant and relieved message from the International Space Station as a Russian Progress cargo ship – carrying desperately needed supplies – successfully docked at the orbital outpost following some failed deliveries.

This was mission accomplished for the un-piloted spacecraft carrying vital food, water, fuel and other supplies, two days after its launch from from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

#Progress docks to Pirs docking compartment at 3:11am ET. Crew reports, "Feels like Christmas in July" pic.twitter.com/pVoGUG5aQL— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) July 5, 2015


The delight at its safe arrival was all the stronger after recent failed attempts to supply the space lab.

An ISS-bound cargo ship was lost, just after take-off from Florida at the end of June,when an unmanned SpaceX rocket went up in smoke.

And on April 28, Russia lost a Progress cargo ship due to dock at the space lab. It failed to separate prop