Progress MS-18

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Progress MS-18
NamesProgress 79P
Mission typeISS resupply
OperatorRoscosmos
COSPAR ID2021-098A
SATCAT no.49379
Websitehttps://www.roscosmos.ru/
Mission duration215 days (planned)
64 days and 7 hours (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftProgress MS-18 No. 447
BusProgress MS
ManufacturerKSC Energia
Launch mass7,000 kg (15,000 lb)
Payload mass2,439 kg (5,377 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date28 October 2021, 00:00:32 UTC[1]
RocketSoyuz-2.1a
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
ContractorProgress Rocket Space Centre
End of mission
DisposalDeorbited (planned)
Decay date2022
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.65°
Docking with ISS
Docking portZvezda aft
Docking date30 October 2021, 01:31:19 UTC
Undocking date2022 (planned)
Time docked62 days and 5 hours (in progress)
Cargo
Mass2,439 kg (5,377 lb) [2]
Pressurised1,509 kg (3,327 lb)
Fuel470 kg (1,040 lb)
Gaseous40 kg (88 lb)
Water420 kg (930 lb)
Progress ISS Resupply
← Progress MS-17
Progress M-UM →
 

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 is the 170th flight of a Progress spacecraft.

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:[3][4][5][6]

  • 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 3 February 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.[7]

A Soyuz-2.1a launched Progress MS-18 to the International Space Station from Baikonur Site 31 on 28 October 2021 on a two-day, 36 orbit rendezvous profile.[8][9][10] If the air leak repairs planned for Zvezda's PrK chamber (delivery of sealing patches aboard Progress MS-16 in February 2021) are successful, then 3 hours 20 minutes after the launch Progress MS-18 will attempt to automatically dock to Zvezda's aft port.[7]

The vehicle docked to the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module (SM), on 30 October 2021, at 01:31:19 UTC, and will remain in orbit for 215 days, supporting the Expedition 66 mission aboard the ISS.[11]

Cargo[]

The Progress MS-18 spacecraft is loaded with 2,439 kg (5,377 lb) of cargo, with 1,509 kg (3,327 lb) of this being dry cargo.[2]

  • Dry cargo: 1,509 kg (3,327 lb)
  • Fuel: 470 kg (1,040 lb)
  • Oxygen: 40 kg (88 lb)
  • Water: 420 kg (930 lb)

Experiments[]

In addition, a set of target loads was delivered to the station as part of the implementation of the Russian program of scientific and applied research and experiments:[12]

  • Matryoshka-R - study of the dynamics of the radiation situation in orbit and the accumulation of dose in spherical and anthropomorphic phantoms;
  • Biomag-M - study of changes in the properties of biological objects and the possibility of increasing their activity under conditions of magnetic field shielding under the influence of the main factors of outer space;
  • Aseptic - development of methods and technical means for monitoring the sterility of equipment;
  • Structure - study of physical processes of protein crystallization to obtain perfect protein single crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis and deciphering their structure in the interests of fundamental science, medicine and biotechnology;
  • Photobioreactor - creation of a photobioreactor for conducting biotechnological experiments and obtaining food and oxygen by cultivating microalgae in microgravity.

Undocking and decay[]

The Progress MS-18 is scheduled to remain docked at the station till mid 2022, when it will depart with trash and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere for destruction over the South Pacific Ocean.

See also[]

  • Uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station

References[]

  1. ^ "Progress MS-17 to make 24 hour long relocation at space station". NASASpaceFlight.com. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Russian Progress supply ship poised for launch from Baikonur". Spaceflight Now. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter (1 December 2015). "Progress-MS 01-19". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Progress MS-18". NSSDCA. NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ Zak, Anatoly. "Progress-MS". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. ^ Blau, Patrick (1 December 2015). "Progress MS Spacecraft". Spaceflight101.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b Zak, Anatoly (9 February 2021). "ISS set for the Russian expansion". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  8. ^ Zak, Anatoly (10 October 2020). "Planned Russian space missions in 2021". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Status - Progress MS-18". NextSpaceflight. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Russian cargo freighter docks with International Space Station". Spaceflight Now. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Forum Soyuz MS-18". NASASpaceFlight.com. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
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