Progress MS

{{short description|Latest revision of the Progress cargo spacecraft}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox spacecraft class

| name = Progress MS
{{lang|ru|Прогресс МС}}

| image = Progress spacecraft.jpg

| image_caption = Progress MS-11 approaching the ISS

| country = Russia

| operator = Roscosmos

| applications = ISS resupply

| spacecraft_type = Cargo

| design_life = 180 days docked to a space station{{efn|Progress MS-14 remained docked more than one year}}

| launch_mass = {{cvt|7290|kg}}

| manufacturer = Energia

| dry_mass =

| payload_capacity = {{Unbulleted indent list

| Total: {{cvt|2600|kg}}

| {{in5}}Dry cargo: {{cvt|1800|kg}}

| {{in5}}Propellant: {{cvt|870|kg}}

| {{in5}}Water: {{cvt|420|kg}}

| {{in5}}Gases: {{cvt|50|kg}}

| Disposal: {{cvt|2140|kg}}

}}

| volume = {{cvt|7|m3}}

| power =

| batteries =

| equipment =

| orbits = Low Earth orbit

| length =

| span =

| width =

| status = Active

| built = 29

| orders = 8

| launched = 29 (as of 11 September 2024)

| operational = 2 (MS-28, MS-29)

| retired = 26

| failed =

| lost = 1 (MS{{nbhyph}}04)

| first = 21 December 2015 (MS-01)

| last = Active

| derivedfrom = Progress M

| derivatives =

| flown_with = Soyuz-2.1a (2015–)
Soyuz-U (2016–2017)
Soyuz-FG (2018–2019)

| insignia =

| insignia_caption =

| insignia_size =

| programme =

| previous =

| next =

}}

The Progress MS ({{Langx|ru|Прогресс МС}}; GRAU: 11F615A61) is the latest version of the Russian Progress spacecraft series, first launched in 2015. The "MS" stands for "modernized systems," reflecting upgrades primarily focused on the communications and navigation subsystems. An evolution of the Progress M spacecraft, the Soyuz MS features minimal external changes, mainly in the placement of antennas, sensors, and thrusters. It is used by Roscosmos for cargo spaceflight missions. Progress MS-01 conducted its maiden flight on 21 December 2015, heading to the International Space Station (ISS).

Design

Like all previous variants, the Progress MS spacecraft consists of three distinct sections:{{Cite web |title=Progress cargo ship |url=https://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.russianspaceweb.com}}

  • Cargo Section: This pressurized carries supplies for the crew, including maintenance items, prepackaged and fresh food, scientific equipment, and clothing. Its docking drogue, similar to that of the Soyuz, features ducting that enables fuel transfer (described below).
  • Tanker Section: Replacing the Soyuz's reentry module, this unpressurized compartment houses two tanks containing unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel and dinitrogen tetroxide ({{Chem2|N2O4}}) oxidizer. Ducts run from these tanks around the outside of the pressurized module to connectors at the docking port, allowing automated fuel transfer. This design prevents any potential leaks of the toxic propellant from contaminating the station's atmosphere. This section also contains water tanks.
  • Propulsion Section: Located at the rear of the spacecraft, this unpressurized compartment remains largely unchanged from the Soyuz design. It contains the orientation engines used for automatic docking and can be utilized to boost the station's orbit once docked.

The Progress spacecraft's uncrewed and disposable design enables significant weight reduction. Unlike Soyuz, it does not require life support systems, heat shields, parachutes, or automatic crew rescue systems. Additionally, it lacks the ability to separate into multiple modules. after completing its mission, the spacecraft undocks, performs a controlled retrofire, and burns up upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

;Technical specifications

  • Launch mass: {{convert|7290|kg}}
  • Total payload capacity at launch: {{convert|2600|kg}} – the following amounts exceed this capacity, giving planners the ability to match the payload to the needs of the station
  • Dry cargo (in cargo section): Up to {{convert|1800|kg}}
  • Propellant: Up to {{convert|870|kg}}
  • Water: Up to {{convert|420|kg}}
  • Gases: Up to {{convert|50|kg}}
  • Total payload capacity (in cargo section) for disposal: {{convert|2140|kg}}

Progress MS improvements

The Progress MS received the following upgrades with compared to the Progress M:{{cite web|url=http://www.tsenki.com/en/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=128142|title=Upgraded Progress Transport Cargo Spacecraft Getting Ready for Launch|publisher=Yuzhny Space Center|date=10 August 2015|access-date=13 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061422/http://www.tsenki.com/en/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=128142|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/progress-ms/|title=Progress MS Spacecraft|first=Patrick|last=Blau|publisher=Spaceflight101.com|access-date=17 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/progress-ms.htm|title=Progress-MS 01-19|work=Gunter's Space Page|first1=Gunter|last1=Krebs|date=1 December 2015|access-date=16 November 2018}}

  • New flight control system (SUD): Instead of relying only on six ground stations to determine its orbital path, the new SUD flight control system will also use signals from GLONASS navigation satellites.
  • New Kurs-NA rendezvous system: The new Kurs-NA ({{langx|ru|Курс-Новая Активная|Kurs-Novaya Aktivnaya|Course-New Active|links=no}}) automatic docking system is designed and manufactured in Russia, replacing its Ukrainian predecessor. This change addresses a political problem (with the two countries at war) and enhances the system's capabilities with a higher level of computerization. While the original Kurs system was highly reliable over the years, many of its electronic components have become outdated. The Kurs-NA is {{cvt|25|kg}} lighter, 30% smaller, and consumes 25% less power. Additionally, it features a single phased-array antenna, replacing four antennas on the older system, while the two narrow-angle antennas have been retained although re-positioned further toward the rear. To assist with docking, the old halogen headlight has been replaced with a brighter, more energy-efficient LED light.{{Cite web |last=Zak |first=Anatoly |date=8 July 2016 |title=The Kurs-NA docking system for Soyuz MS |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz-ms-kurs-na.html |access-date=9 July 2016 |website=RussianSpaceWeb.com}}{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Pete |date=28 July 2012 |title=Progress M-15M re-docks to ISS following resolution of Kurs-NA failure |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/07/progress-m-15m-re-docks-iss-kurs-na/ |access-date=1 September 2012 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight (not associated with NASA)}}
  • Unified Command and Telemetry System (EKTS, {{Langx|ru|Единая Командно-Телеметрическая Система|Edinaya Komandno-Telemetricheskaya Sistema|links=no}}): Instead of solely relying on ground stations in Russian territory, the spacecraft has a satellite-capable communications system, EKTS, that connects to Russia's Luch system, providing coverage 83 percent of the day. It also retains very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) radios for communications with ground stations. The large EKTS S-band satellite antenna array, one of the most prominent new features on the ship's exterior, is also capable of communicating via American TDRS and Europe's EDRS satellites. The EKTS integrates several previous systems, including the BRTS (radio), MBITS (telemetry), and Rassvet (radio voice), which have been replaced or upgraded for compatibility. Additionally, it features a COSPAS-SARSAT transponder for real-time location tracking during reentry and landing. These changes enable the Soyuz to use the same ground segment terminals as the Russian Segment of the ISS.{{Cite web |last=Zak |first=Anatoly |date=7 July 2016 |title=The EKTS communications system for Soyuz MS spacecraft |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz-ms-ekts.html |access-date=6 July 2016 |website=RussianSpaceWeb.com}}
  • Additional micro-meteoroid protection: Additional anti-micro-meteoroid shielding was added to the cargo section module walls. This measure was designed to safeguard the spacecraft's most vulnerable component against the unlikely but potential threat of a meteoroid or space debris impact.
  • Improved docking mechanism: The docking system received a backup electric driving mechanism.{{Cite web |last=Zak |first=Anatoly |date=3 July 2016 |title=Soyuz rocket flies critical test mission with Progress-MS |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms.html |access-date=6 July 2016 |website=RussianSpaceWeb.com}}
  • Digital camera system: The spacecraft utilizes a digital television camera system based on MPEG-2, replacing the older analog system. This upgrade enables space-to-space RF communication between the spacecraft and the station and reduces interference.
  • CubeSat deployment platform: New external compartment that enables it to deploy CubeSats. Each compartment can hold up to four launch containers. First time installed on Progress MS-03.

List of flights

{{sticky header}}{{Sort under}}

class="wikitable sortable sticky-header-multi sort-under"
rowspan=2| Spacecraft

!rowspan=2| S/N

!rowspan=2| Launch (UTC)

!rowspan=2| Carrier
rocket

!rowspan=2| Launch
pad

!colspan=3| Docking

!rowspan=2| Deorbit
(UTC)

!rowspan=2 class="unsortable"| Remarks

Port

!Docking
(UTC)

!Undocking
(UTC)

Progress MS-01

|431

|21 December 2015
08:44:39

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|23 December
10:27

|2 July 2016
23:48

|3 July
07:03

|ISS-62P

Progress MS-02

|432

|31 March 2016
16:23:57

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

|2 April
17:58

|14 October
09:37

|14 October

|ISS-63P

nowrap|Progress MS-03{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms-03.html|title=Progress MS-03 heads to the ISS|last=Zak|first=Anatoly|date=17 July 2016|work=Russian Space web|access-date=2016-07-18}}

|433

|16 July 2016
21:41:45{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/16/progress-supply-ship-heads-for-international-space-station|title=Progress supply ship heads for International Space Station|last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=16 July 2016|access-date=2016-07-18}}

| Soyuz-U

| Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|19 July
00:20

|31 January 2017
14:25

|31 January
17:34

|ISS-64P

style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec)

|Progress MS-04

|434

|1 December 2016
14:51:52

| Soyuz-U

| Site 1/5

|Zvezda aft

|—

|—

|1 December (Failed to reach orbit)

|ISS-65P.
Soyuz third stage anomaly. Vehicle lost {{cvt|190|km}} over Tuva. Failed to reach orbit.

Progress MS-05

|435

|22 February 2017
05:58:33

| Soyuz-U

| Site 1/5

|Pirs nadir

|24 February
08:30

|20 July
12:00

|20 July

|ISS-66P

Progress MS-06

|436

|14 June 2017
09:20:13

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

|16 June
11:37

|28 December
01:03

|28 December

|ISS-67P

Progress MS-07

|437

|14 October 2017
08:47

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|16 October
11:37

|28 March 2018
13:50

|26 April

|ISS-68P

Progress MS-08

|438

|13 February 2018
08:13:33

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

|15 February
10:38

|23 August
02:16

|30 August

|ISS-69P

Progress MS-09

|439

|9 July 2018
21:51:33

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|10 July
01:31

|25 January 2019
12:55

|25 January

|ISS-70P.
It took just 3 hours, 40 minutes to dock the spacecraft to the ISS after the rocket's launch.{{Cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/07/09/progress-freighter-blasts-off-on-fastest-ever-trip-to-international-space-station/|title=Progress MS-09 mission to ISS|access-date=2018-07-10}}

Progress MS-10

|440

|16 November 2018
18:14:08

| Soyuz-FG

| Site 31/6|Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

|18 November
19:28

|4 June 2019
08:40

|4 June

|ISS-71P

Progress MS-11

|441

|4 April 2019
11:01:35

| Soyuz-FG

| Site 31/6|Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|4 April
14:25

|29 July
10:44

|29 July

|ISS-72P

Progress MS-12

|442

|31 July 2019
12:10:46

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|31 July
15:29

|29 November
10:25

|29 November
14:19

|ISS-73P

Progress MS-13

|443

|6 December 2019 09:34:11

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|9 December
10:35:11

|8 July 2020
18:22:00

|8 July
22:05

|ISS-74P

Progress MS-14

|448

|25 April 2020
01:51:41

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

|25 April
05:12:00

|27 April 2021
23:11:00

|29 April
00:42

|ISS-75P

Progress MS-15

|444

|23 July 2020
14:26:22

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir

|23 July 17:45:00

| 9 February 2021
05:21:00

| 9 February
09:13

|ISS-76P

Progress MS-16

| 445

| 15 February 2021
04:45:06

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Pirs nadir/Zvezda nadir

| 17 February
06:27

| 26 July
10:55 (with Pirs)

| 26 July
14:51 (with Pirs)

| ISS-77P
Removed Pirs module from ISS

rowspan="2" |Progress MS-17

| rowspan="2" | 446

| rowspan="2" | 30 June 2021
23:27:20

| rowspan="2" | Soyuz-2.1a

| rowspan="2" | Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

| 2 July
00:59

| 20 October
23:42

| rowspan="2" | 25 November
14:34 (with docking adapter)

| rowspan="2" | ISS-78P
Removed Nauka module nadir port passive docking adapter from ISS

Nauka nadir

| 22 October
04:21

| 25 November
11:22 (with docking adapter)

Progress MS-18

| 447

| 28 October 2021
00:00:32

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 30 October
01:31:00

|1 June 2022
08:03

|1 June
11:51

|ISS-79P
Delivered LCCS part of MLM Means of Attachment of Large payloads to ISS{{Cite web |title=Schedule of ISS flight events (part 2) |url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32006.msg2391098#msg2391098 |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=forum.nasaspaceflight.com}}{{Cite web |title=Год "Науки" на МКС |url=https://www.roscosmos.ru/38032/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821192201/https://www.roscosmos.ru/38032/ |archive-date=21 August 2022 |url-status=dead |language=ru |trans-title=Year of "Science" on the ISS |date=29 July 2022 |publisher=Roscosmos }}

Progress MS-19

| 449{{Cite web|title=Progress-MS 01 - 19|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/progress-ms.htm|access-date=2021-11-09|website=Gunter's Space Page|language=en}}

| 15 February 2022
04:25:40

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

| 17 February
07:03:20

| 23 October
22:45:34

| 24 October
01:51

|ISS-80P

Progress MS-20

| 450

| 3 June 2022
09:03

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 3 June
13:02

| 7 February 2023
05:01

| 7 February
08:37

|ISS-81P

Progress MS-21

| 451

| 26 October 2022
00:20

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

| 28 October
02:49

| 18 February 2023
02:26

| 19 February
03:15

|ISS-82P

Progress MS-22

| 452

| 9 February 2023
06:15

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 11 February
08:45

|20 August
23:50

|21 August
02:58

|ISS-83P

Progress MS-23

| 453

| 24 May 2023
12:56

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

| 24 May
16:19

| 29 November
07:55

| 29 November
11:02

|ISS-84P

Progress MS-24

| 454

| 23 August 2023
01:08

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 25 August
03:50

| 13 February 2024
02:09

| 13 February
05:16

|ISS-85P

Progress MS-25

| 455

| 1 December 2023
09:25

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

| 3 December
11:18

| 28 May 2024
08:39

| 29 May
11:48

|ISS-86P

Progress MS-26

| 456

| 15 February 2024
03:25

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 17 February
06:06

| 13 August
02:00

| 13 August
05:49

|ISS-87P

Progress MS-27

|457

|30 May 2024
09:43

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

|1 June
11:43

|19 November
12:53

|19 November
16:51

|ISS-88P

Progress MS-28

| 458

| 15 August 2024
03:20:17

| Soyuz-2.1a

| Site 31/6

|Zvezda aft

| 17 August
05:53

|

|

|ISS-89P

Progress MS-29

|459

|21 November 2024
12:22:23

|Soyuz-2.1a

|Site 31/6

|Poisk zenith

|23 November
14:31

|

|

|ISS-90P

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Portal|Spaceflight}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |last=Zak |first=Anatoly |title=Progress-MS cargo ship |url=https://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms.html |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=RussianSpaceWeb.com}}

}}