Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-09-2018 06:12 PM
Launch of Progress MS-09 on fastest-track to station
Russia's Progress MS-09 cargo spacecraft lifted off on Monday (July 9) to the International Space Station, following the fastest-ever track to the orbiting laboratory.
The 70th Progress freighter bound for the International Space Station launched atop a Soyuz-2.1a rocket at 5:51 p.m. EDT (2151 GMT or 3:51 a.m. July 10 local time) from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Carrying almost three tons of food, fuel, and supplies, the Russian craft is expected to dock to the Pirs module at 9:39 p.m. EDT (0139 GMT).
The less-than-four-hour, two-orbit trip is demonstrating an expedited capability that may be used on future Russian cargo and crew launches. Earlier, the fastest rendezvous track was six hours and four orbits.
This new two-day track was made possible by launching just before the space station flew over the Baikonur Cosmodrome. At the time of the launch, the outpost was flying about 250 miles (400 kilometers) over southwest Uzbekistan, south of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Progress MS-09 spacecraft will remain at the space station until late January 2019.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
A Russian uncrewed spacecraft has blazed a new, faster trail from Earth to the International Space Station.
Russia's Progress MS-09 cargo spacecraft completed the record-setting journey to the space station just 3 hours and 40 minutes after its launch on Monday (July 9), shaving off roughly two hours from the previous "fast track" rendezvous and docking. The expedited trip, made possible by orbital dynamics, is expected to be used for future Russian cargo and crew launches to the space station, pending more tests.
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1336 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 07-10-2018 02:47 PM
Which mathematicians determine the launch time and flight path — U.S. or Russia?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-10-2018 03:52 PM
Russia sets the schedule for Soyuz, but coordinates with the station partners.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-25-2019 08:19 PM
Progress MS-09 departs space station
Russia's Progress MS-08 spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station on Friday (Jan. 25), backing away from the Pirs docking port at 6:55 a.m. CST (1255 GMT).
Loaded with trash, Progress MS-09 descended into Earth's atmosphere less than four hours for a fiery demise over the Pacific Ocean.
posted 07-09-2018 06:12 PM
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