Progress MS-18

Progress MS-18 (Russian: Прогресс МC-18), Russian production No. 447, identified by NASA as Progress 79P, is a Progress spacecraft launched by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This will be the 170th flight of a Progress spacecraft.

Progress MS-18
Docking of Progress 76P
NamesProgress 79P
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorRoscosmos
Mission duration334 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftProgress MS-18
Spacecraft typeProgress-MS
ManufacturerEnergia
Launch mass7000 kg
Start of mission
Launch date28 October 2021 (planned) [1][2][3][4]
RocketSoyuz-2.1a
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31
ContractorProgress Rocket Space Centre
End of mission
DisposalDeorbited (planned)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.65°
Docking with ISS
Progress ISS Resupply
 

History

The Progress-MS is a uncrewed freighter based on the Progress-M featuring improved avionics. This improved variant first launched on 21 December 2015. It has the following improvements:[5][6][7][8]

  • New external compartment that enables it to deploy satellites. Each compartment can hold up to four launch containers. First time installed on Progress MS-03.
  • Enhanced redundancy thanks to the addition of a backup system of electrical motors for the docking and sealing mechanism.
  • Improved Micrometeoroid (MMOD) protection with additional panels in the cargo compartment.
  • Luch Russian relay satellites link capabilities enable telemetry and control even when not in direct view of ground radio stations.
  • GNSS autonomous navigation enables real time determination of the status vector and orbital parameters dispensing with the need of ground station orbit determination.
  • Real time relative navigation thanks to direct radio data exchange capabilities with the space station.
  • New digital radio that enables enhanced TV camera view for the docking operations.
  • The Ukrainian Chezara Kvant-V on board radio system and antenna/feeder system has been replaced with a Unified Command Telemetry System (UCTS).
  • Replacement of the Kurs A with Kurs NA digital system.

Launch

On February 3, 2021 Roskosmos approved the updated flight program to the International Space Station for 2021, highlighted with the addition of two permanent modules to the Russian Segment of the outpost. A short tourist visit to the ISS at the end of the year also got the green light.[1]

A Soyuz-2.1a will launch Progress MS-18 to the International Space Station from Baikonur Site 31 28 October 2021 on a fast-track trajectory.[2][3][4] If the air leak repairs planned for Zevzda’s PrK chamber (delivery of sealing patches aboard Progress MS-16 in February) are successful, then 3 hours 20 minutes after the launch Progress MS-18 will attempt to automatically dock to Zvezda’s aft port.[1]

The vehicle is expected to dock to the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module (SM) and remain in orbit for 215 days, supporting the Expedition 66 mission aboard the ISS.

Cargo

The Progress MS-18 spacecraft is loaded with 0 kg (0 lb) of cargo, with 0 kg (0 lb) of this being dry cargo.

  • Dry cargo: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Fuel: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Oxygen: 0 kg (0 lb)
  • Water: 0 kg (0 lb)

Undocking and decay

The Progress MS-18 is scheduled to remain docked at the station through late 2021, when it will depart with trash and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere for destruction over the South Pacific Ocean.

See also

References
  1. Zak, Anatoly (9 February 2021). "ISS set for the Russian expansion". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. Zak, Anatoly (10 October 2020). "Planned Russian space missions in 2021". RussianSpaceWeb. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  3. "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  4. "Status - Progress MS-18". NextSpaceflight. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  5. Krebs, Gunter (1 December 2015). "Progress-MS 01-19". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. "Progress MS-18". NSSDCA. NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. Zak, Anatoly. "Progress-MS". RussianSpaceWeb. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  8. Blau, Patrick (1 December 2015). "Progress MS Spacecraft". Spaceflight101. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
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