Russian Soyuz Progress 40 Cargo vessel reaches ISS

The unmanned Russian Progress 40 cargo ship blasts off atop a Soyuz rocket on Oct. 27, 2010 to deliver 2.5 tons of supplies to the International Space Station. Credit: RSC Energia

A new Russian cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station today to deliver tons of food and supplies – including the treat of fresh fruit – to the orbiting lab's crew just in time for Halloween.


While fruits and vegetables may not sound like a traditional Halloween treat, any fresh foods are a treasure for astronauts serving a months-long mission on the space station.


Fresh produce is typically packed along with the tons of supplies delivered on each Russian cargo ship that visits the space station, so the fruit on the new cargo ship only happens to be a timely treat.