The ISS Progress 43 spacecraft docked to the International Space Station at 12:37 p.m. EDT Thursday delivering three tons of fuel, air and supplies to the Expedition 28 crew. The unpiloted Russian resupply vehicle docked automatically to the aft port of the station’s Zvezda service module via the Kurs automated rendezvous system.

The ISS Progress 43 spacecraft, loaded with three tons of fuel, air and supplies for the Expedition 28 crew aboard the International Space Station launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at at 10:38 a.m. EDT Tuesday. The unpiloted Russian vehicle will dock automatically to the aft port of the station’s Zvezda service module Thursday via the Kurs automated rendezvous system.

HOUSTON -- NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly has announced his plans to retire from the agency on Oct. 1. He is a veteran of four space shuttle missions.

"We salute Commander Mark Kelly and his contributions to NASA as an extremely accomplished member of the astronaut corps and the final commander of the space shuttle Endeavour," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "We deeply respect his achievements and his decision to focus on his family. We continue to send out our thoughts and prayers to Mark and his wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as she makes a remarkable recovery. We know that Mark will continue to do great things for his country no matter what he chooses to do next. He has helped us build a space program poised to take advantage of the many opportunities in our bright future."