posted 12-21-2015 07:45 AM               

Modernized Progress launches on two day trip to space station

The first of Russia's modernized Progress cargo spacecraft launched to the International Space Station on Monday (Dec. 21).

The Progress MS-01 (62P) lifted off atop a Soyuz 2-1A rocket at 2:44 a.m. CST (0844 GMT or 2:44 p.m. local time) from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Less than 10 minutes after launch, the resupply ship reached its preliminary orbit and deployed solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned. The Progress will make 34 orbits of Earth during the next two days before docking to the space station at 4:31 a.m. CST (1031 GMT) on Wednesday (Dec. 23).

The two-day rendezvous was deliberately planned to enable Russian flight controllers to test new software and communications equipment on the vehicle that will be standard for future Progress and piloted Soyuz spacecraft.

The new Progress MS features a more accurate KURS NA navigation system, requiring fewer antennas, a new external debris shield and external compartments capable of launching cubesats.

Progress MS (62P) is delivering more than 2.8 tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 46 crew on the space station. It will spend more than six months docked to the Pirs module before departing in early July 2016.

Photos credit: RSC Energia

posted 12-23-2015 08:52 AM               

Progress MS-01 docks to space station

The first of Russia's modernized systems cargo spacecraft, Progress MS (62P) autonomously docked with the Pirs docking compartment of the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:27 am CST (1027 GMT) on Wednesday (Dec. 23) as the two vehicles flew about 253 miles (407 km) over western Mongolia.

The spacecraft launched Monday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Following a by-the-book rendezvous and docking with the Progress' upgraded Kurs automated system, hooks formed a hard mate between the ship and the Pirs docking compartment. Once the station's crew completes leak checks, the hatches will open, allowing the crew to unload the cargo.

The Progress spacecraft will remain docked until early July 2016.

posted 07-01-2016 08:22 AM               

Cosmonauts at ISS Have Successfully Tested the Manual Control System of Progress MS Transport Cargo Vehicle

On July 1, 2016, the crew of the International Space Station (ISS), working in accordance with the ISS flight program, has successfully tested the improved system of remote manual control of space vehicles (TORU, Teleoperated Mode of [spacecraft] Control) at the Progress MS transport cargo vehicle.

The testing was necessary to complete the flight test program for Progress MS transport cargo vehicle.

In the course of scheduled test operations, at 8:36 AM MSK, the cargo vehicle was led from the Pirs (SO-1) docking module of the ISS to a distance of about 200 m (660 ft) in order to conduct the all-around testing of TORU system operations. The cargo vehicle was remotely controlled by Roscosmos' cosmonauts Alexei Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka, who are currently working at the ISS.

The final stage of the testing was the return of Progress MS vehicle to the station. The vehicle's docking with Pirs SO-1 module of the ISS through remote "manual" control was completed on July 1, 2016, at 9:04 AM MSK.

The TORU is a system of remote manual control of the space vehicle movements, operated with two joysticks and control board from inside the ISS. One of the joysticks controls the vehicle's movement, while the other is responsible for maneuvering. The system also includes a camera, mounted on the docking spacecraft.

posted 07-01-2016 08:28 AM               

...during the final few meters during the approach, the crew reported problems with TORU in its communications with the Russian mission control in Korolev and officials on the ground were heard advising the cosmonauts to switch from manual to automated control.

Then, during berthing of the spacecraft, a considerable pitch movement of the spacecraft was clearly visible on live TV broadcast, apparently related to an accidental firing of attitude-control thrusters, DPOs, aboard the cargo ship.