Live coverage of the Progress M-15M undocking & redocking for tests of a new Kurs-NA antenna.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-135
NASA TELEVISION TO AIR SPACE STATION CARGO SHIP MOVES AND TEST
WASHINGTON -- NASA Television will broadcast the move of a Russian
cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station and the
demonstration of a new docking system beginning Sunday, July 22.
NASA TV coverage of ISS Progress 47's initial undocking starts at 4
p.m. EDT, July 22. Progress 47 will undock at 4:27 p.m.
Russian flight controllers will command the resupply ship to undock
from the space station's Pirs compartment in a test of an updated
docking system that will be used for both Progress and Soyuz human
spacecraft in the future. The new automated rendezvous system, known
as Kurs-NA, will use a single antenna, which will allow four others
to be removed. The Kurs-NA-enabled Progress and Soyuz spacecraft will
have only three antennas, half as many as the current versions.
Kurs-NA also will use less power, improve safety and possess updated
electronics.
Progress 47 arrived at the station in April. After it was emptied of
its cargo, the space station crew filled it with trash for disposal.
NASA TV coverage of the Progress' re-rendezvous and docking will begin
at 9:15 p.m. Monday, July 23. The ship will re-dock to the station at
9:57 p.m.
Coverage of Progress 47's final departure from the station begins at 2
p.m. Monday, July 30, with undocking set for 2:11 p.m. It then will
be commanded to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
The next Russian cargo spacecraft, ISS Progress 48, is scheduled to
launch Wednesday, Aug. 1, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space
Agency and his five crewmates, including NASA astronauts Suni
Williams and Joe Acaba, will monitor events as the Progress 47 tests
unfold.
For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and downlink information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntvFor more information about the International Space Station and its
crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
