Will this Progress finally use the express route to ISS docking? Or it's another mission that takes the classic long route to ISS?
1 декабря 17:51:51 - запуск Прогресса МС-04" 3 декабря 19:43 - стыковка "Прогресса МС-04" к модулю "Звезда"
Blast! Any reason why? They need more time for systems validation? I suspect that Soyus MS waits for Progress MS to get on the express route, so it will be a while until we'll see the crew docking again after just a few hours.
Soyuz MS-03 had to take the long way round, sticking to the conventional 34-orbit rendezvous profile taking two days from launch to docking. This profile had to be used by all Soyuz MS flights to date because the ground system is not yet ready to support a six-hour, four-orbit launch-to-docking mission. To accomplish an express docking, the Soyuz has to receive updated flight parameters based on its actual insertion orbit shortly after launch – requiring a ground station compatible with the new Unified Command and Control System of the Soyuz MS spacecraft.This station, located near the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s far east, recently finished outfitting and was to be tested on Friday when Soyuz MS-03 passed overhead to verify the S-Band uplink could be received by the spacecraft to clear the ground station for operational use. If declared operational, the ground station will be used on all subsequent Progress and Soyuz mission to provide several minutes of data connectivity in the minutes after orbital insertion as the vehicle heads over Russia and out over the Pacific on their first lap around Earth.
Progress MS-04 was already docked to the transfer compartment and designers inspection took place. The vehicle was then inserted inside the payload fairing.Transfer to MIK 112 will follow.http://www.energia.ru/ru/iss/iss50/progress_ms-04/photo_11-25.html (in Russian)
If the Russian version of TDRS was actually working, wouldn't concern about ground stations disappear?
Quote from: wally on 11/26/2016 12:04 pmBlast! Any reason why? They need more time for systems validation? I suspect that Soyus MS waits for Progress MS to get on the express route, so it will be a while until we'll see the crew docking again after just a few hours.http://spaceflight101.com/soyuz-ms-03-docking/QuoteSoyuz MS-03 had to take the long way round, sticking to the conventional 34-orbit rendezvous profile taking two days from launch to docking. This profile had to be used by all Soyuz MS flights to date because the ground system is not yet ready to support a six-hour, four-orbit launch-to-docking mission. To accomplish an express docking, the Soyuz has to receive updated flight parameters based on its actual insertion orbit shortly after launch – requiring a ground station compatible with the new Unified Command and Control System of the Soyuz MS spacecraft.This station, located near the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s far east, recently finished outfitting and was to be tested on Friday when Soyuz MS-03 passed overhead to verify the S-Band uplink could be received by the spacecraft to clear the ground station for operational use. If declared operational, the ground station will be used on all subsequent Progress and Soyuz mission to provide several minutes of data connectivity in the minutes after orbital insertion as the vehicle heads over Russia and out over the Pacific on their first lap around Earth.
Not only this, but the 6h maneuver needs a Progress vessel to be docked on the rear of the zvezda module, right?
Quote from: EgorBotts on 11/28/2016 11:20 amNot only this, but the 6h maneuver needs a Progress vessel to be docked on the rear of the zvezda module, right?No. They can dock to any Russian docking port, with or without the quick rendez-vous profile.
Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 11/28/2016 12:06 pmQuote from: EgorBotts on 11/28/2016 11:20 amNot only this, but the 6h maneuver needs a Progress vessel to be docked on the rear of the zvezda module, right?No. They can dock to any Russian docking port, with or without the quick rendez-vous profile.I think he meant the requirement to supply impulse to the ISS for DAMs and orbit correction without using the FGB's thrusters/propellant.