November 10, 2009. Baikonur Cosmodrome,
branch of RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev
Cosmodrome Baikonur at 17 hours: 22 minutes: 04 seconds Moscow Time witnessed launch of space transport cargo vehicle "Progress M-MRM2".
Launch objective is to further deploy the Russian Segment of the International Space Station (ISS RS).
The main mission objective is to deliver Mini-Research Module №2 (MRM2) "Poisk" to the ISS, which is intended to resupply RS with a dedicated compartment and facilities to conduct Extravehicular activities during the ISS RS operational use, scientific research, set up an additional port for docking and operation of manned and cargo vehicles within the ISS RS.
Space vehicle is placed into reference near-earth orbit with the following parameters: inclination of 51,64°; minimum altitude of 192,69 km; maximum altitude of 251,69 km; orbital period of 88,66 min.
Onboard systems of the space vehicle operate in design modes.
Space vehicle processing and launch operations were performed at the Cosmodrome under the lead of the State Committee (with the Commission Chairman A.N. Perminov, the Head of Roscosmos). The Committee arrived at the decision on processing and launch phases implementation based upon the conclusions made by the Technical Management headed by V.A. Lopota, the President of RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev, General Designer.
The station onboard systems operate in normal modes by telemetry data and reports of the crew of the ISS 21/22 Main Expedition. The station is ready to dock with the space vehicle.
The space vehicle docking is scheduled to occur on November 12, 2009 at 18 hours: 43 minutes: 30 seconds Moscow Time.
For reference:
- RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev is the Russian strategic enterprise, the leading developer of the national rocket-space industry under the human space flight programs, responsible for the ISS Russian Segment development, its integration into the station and operational use, including the development and utilization of the main Russian modules ("Zvezda", "Pirs", etc.); manufacture, launch and operational use of Soyuz TMA, Progress M space vehicles.
- Intended use of "Poisk" Module will start after its being integrated into the ISS RS, for which purpose in December 2009 operations for setting up cable communication lines for the Module and ISS on the station surface will be performed.
- Different cargoes (850 kg) to serve the needs to the ISS crew are delivered into orbit in the space vehicle compartments.
- Under the ISS Program, 6 persons are now working in near-earth orbit. They make up the crew of the 21/22 Prime Crew (ISS - 21/22): Russian cosmonauts Roman Romanenko and Maxim Surayev, European astronaut Frank de Winne (ISS Commander), American astronauts Nikole Stott and Jeffrey Williams, Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk.
- RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev conducts final test operations of Mini-Research Module №1 which is scheduled to start operation as part of the ISS in the next year.
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