Re-docking of Progress M-015M delayed further

After the aborted re-docking test of the Kurs-NA system on Progress M-015M on 24 July attempts by Russian mission control to conduct tests of the Kurs-NA system on the Progress M-015M have so far been unsuccessful. It has been decided to leave the craft in free flight until at least 20 August when a decision will be made whether to attempt to re-dock with the International Space Station or to de-orbit the craft in the normal fashion over the South Pacific Ocean. During the period of free flight the craft will take part in the Radar-Progress series of experiments which is aimed at defining the physical characteristics of the ionosphere environment around the spacecraft during the operation of its liquid propellant engines.