Progress MS-01

Progress MS-01 (Russian: Прогресс МС-01), identified by NASA as Progress 62P is a Progress spacecraft used by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) during 2015. It was launched on 21 December 2015, to deliver cargo to the ISS. Progress MS-01 is the first vehicle in the Progress-MS series.[6]

Progress MS-01
Progress MS-01 undocking and redocking test.
NamesProgress 62P
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorRoscosmos
COSPAR ID2015-080A
SATCAT no.41177
Mission duration195 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeProgress-MS s/n 431
ManufacturerRKK Energia
Start of mission
Launch date21 December 2015
08:44:39 UTC [1]
RocketSoyuz 2.1a s/n R15000-026 [2]
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
ContractorProgress Rocket Space Centre
End of mission
DisposalDeorbited
Decay date3 July 2016 at 07:03 UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking portPirs
Docking date23 December 2015
10:27 UTC [3]
Undocking date2 July 2016, 23:48 UTC [4]
Time docked192 days
Cargo
Mass2436 kg [5]
Pressurised1252 kg
Fuel718 kg
Gaseous46 kg
Water420 kg
Progress ISS Resupply
 

History

The Russian Progress is an uncrewed cargo resupply spacecraft that is largely based on the crewed Soyuz. It is used to resupply Space Stations and was used for the Russian Salyut and Mir space stations as well as the International Space Station that receives three or four Progress flights a year.[7]

Spacecraft

Progress MS represents the latest generation of Progress spacecraft introduced in late 2015 in an upgrade (Article 11F615A61) from the Progress M-xxM spacecraft (Article 11F615A60) that was inaugurated back in November 2008, succeeding in the Progress M configuration flown since 1989. This latest update in the line of Progress spacecraft, also to be introduced on the crewed Soyuz craft, is largely focused on communications and navigation systems that are upgraded using modern electronics. Progress MS introduces a new KURS navigation system, a new radio, the use of GPS/GLONASS for navigation, and the use of a proximity communications link for relative navigation. These changes will not significantly change the external appearance of the Progress except for the number of deployable antennas present on the spacecraft and beginning with the third cargo ship (No. 433), each Progress MS spacecraft can carry up to four containers for launching up to 24 CubeSat for deployment.[8][7]

Progress MS has been designed to launch atop the upgraded Soyuz 2.1a rocket that will allow the craft to carry a greater cargo upmass to the International Space Station. The spacecraft is still compatible with the Soyuz-U rocket that is being phased out in a soft transition to the newer version, alternating flights between the two to iron out any problems with no significant interruption of the supply chain to International Space Station (ISS). Progress spacecraft can dock to any port on the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) of the International Space Station, but usually use the Pirs docking compartment and the aft docking port on the Zvezda service module.[7]

Once docked and secured in place, the hatch to the pressurized cargo carrier can be opened by the crew to unload the cargo. Because it is crewed in orbit (crew members can enter the spacecraft), Progress is classified as a crewed spacecraft, although it is launched without a crew. During its stay at the Space Station, all cargo is transferred to ISS. This includes dry cargo that is transferred by the crew, water that is also transferred internally, oxygen, and nitrogen gas that is released to repressurize the station's atmosphere and propellant which is transferred via a dedicated transfer system being fed to tanks on the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS).[7]

Afterward, Progress is loaded with trash and no-longer-needed items before the hatch is closed and the spacecraft undocks. Progress does not have a heat shield and makes a targeted, destructive re-entry to end its mission.[7]

Launch

The launch was initially scheduled for 21 November 2015.[9] Progress MS-01 was launched on 21 December 2015 at 08:44:39 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.[1]

Docking

Progress MS-01 docked with the Pirs docking compartment on 23 December 2015 at 10:27 UTC.[3]

Communications

The Progress MS spacecraft has upgraded communications and electronics from previous Progress vehicles. After launch, ground controllers were able to communicate the Progress MS-01 via a Russian Luch data relay satellite in geosynchronous orbit. This was described as the first time a Progress or Soyuz spacecraft had such capability.[8][10]

Other upgrades include:

  • Upgraded Kurs-A rendezvous system designated Kurs-NA, including new antennas
  • Upgraded flight control system that can take advantage of the GLONASS navigation satellites for the first time, for autonomous trajectory measurements
  • New digital television system, which replaced an older analog TV, allowing transmission between the transport ship and the space station via onboard radio channels
  • New digital backup control unit
  • Enhanced meteoroid shielding
  • New LED-based lighting system
  • Upgraded angular velocity sensors
  • Docking port equipped with a backup electric driving mechanism

Progress MS-01 was launched on a Soyuz-2.1a, the first launch of the rocket since the failed launch of Progress M-27M. The Soyuz-U rocket was used for subsequent Progress flights until this flight.[10]

Reentry

The upper stage reentry was visible over Arizona and Nevada on 22 December 2015 at 05:30 UTC. The spacecraft initiated the deorbit maneuver on 3 July 2016 at 07:03 UTC, with an expected landing of any possible debris on the Pacific Ocean by 07:50 UTC.

References

  1. Christy, Robert (1 December 2015). "Progress MS-01 Launches and Orbital Operations". Soviet, Russian and International Space Flight. Zarya. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  2. Krebs, Gunter (1 December 2015). "Progress-MS 1 - 8". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  3. Rincon, Paul (23 December 2015). "ISS crew receives Christmas delivery". BBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. Zak, Anatoly (3 July 2016). "First Progress-MS ends its mission". russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  5. Clarke, Stephen (23 December 2015). "Progress spaceship docks with International Space Station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  6. Staff writers (4 October 2015). "Progress-MS to be Launched on December 21". Russian Space News. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  7. "Progress MS-01: 2015-080A". NSSDCA. NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "Progress MS Spacecraft". Spaceflight101.com. 4 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  9. Nowakowski, Tomasz (29 October 2015). "Russia postpones maiden flight of its Progress-MS spacecraft". Spaceflight Insider. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  10. Zak, Anatoly (23 December 2015). "Soyuz rocket flies critical test mission with Progress-MS". Russian Space Web. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
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