September 15, 2001. Baikonur Cosmodrome.
At 03:35 Moscow time specialized logistics vehicle-module
(LVM) Progress M-CO1 was launched to a near-earth orbit
by Soyuz-с launch vehicle in accordance with the International
Space Station (ISS) assembly program.
The launch objective is to deliver the docking compartment-module
Pirs to the Space Station for outfitting of the Russian
Segment (RS). The Docking Compartment #1 (DC1) was developed
and manufactured at S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, ISS RS prime
developer in Russia, and is intended to provide a complementary
docking port for Soyuz- and Progress-type manned and logistics
vehicles, and support cosmonauts and astronauts egress into
space from the Russian Segment of the Space Station.
A newly developed docking compartment with two egress hatches
and a new structural element, i.e. a transfer spacer, are
installed on the vehicle-module as opposed to Progress M
logistics vehicle in place of the cargo compartment and
refueling components compartment.
To enable docking to the nadir port of the Russian Service
Module Zvezda, LVM has been outfitted with a hybrid docking
assembly, the systems have been modified due to a change
of the vehicle function and a complement of its compartments,
radio protection mechanisms and shields of the Kurs system
antennas have been upgraded. A separable joint has been
added between the docking mechanism and the transfer spacer.
LVM carries more than 870 kg of propellant and about 800
kg of various cargoes, among which is CO1 and vehicle-module
flight equipment launched in a transport position; science
and utilization hardware, including hardware for implementation
of the Andromeda Project Experiment program, sanitary-hygienic
and water support systems, individual protection gear, crew
health care equipment, flight-data files, maintenance and
repair facilities.
The vehicle has been injected into orbit with a maximum
and minimum altitude of 233.0 km and 192.3 km, respectively,
revolution of 88.5 min and inclination of 51.66°. The
vehicle onboard systems operate normally in a design mode.
The docking to the ISS is slated on September 17, 2001 at
05:05 Moscow time.
The vehicle prelaunch processing and launch at Baikonur
cosmodrome were accomplished under the direction of Yu.P.
Semenov, Technical Manager of Russian Manned Programs, General
Designer of S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, Academician of RAS.
The vehicle and Station flight is controlled by the Lead
Operational Control Team (LOCT) located at the Mission Control
Center (MCC-M), Moscow area, Korolev. The flight director
is pilot-cosmonaut Vladimir Soloviev.
According to the telemetry information and reports of ISS-3
crew working aboard the ISS consisting of F. Culbertson
(ISS-3 Commander), V. Dezhurov (ISS-3 Pilot and Soyuz TM
Commander) and M. Tyurin (ISS-3 Flight engineer, RSC Energia
test cosmonaut), all ISS systems operate normally, and the
station is prepared to receive the vehicle.
The ISS of about 133.9 t currently operates in orbit consisting
of Russian Soyuz TM-32 transport vehicle, Progress M-45
logistics vehicle, Service Module Zvezda, Functional Cargo
Block Zarya, U.S. modules Unity and Destiny.
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