mardi 31 juillet 2012

Russian cargo spacecraft Progress M-15M undocked from the ISS










ROSCOSMOS - Russian Vehicles patch.

31/07/2012

In accordance with the schedule of the flight of the International Space Station today at 01:19:19 GMT Department made ​​cargo vehicle (THC), Progress M-15M from the docking module Pirs.

Progress M-15M undocked from ISS

After separation from the ISS during free flight in orbit working on the ship will conduct an experiment, Radar-Progress, which consists in the study of ground-based observations of the reflective characteristics of plasma irregularities in the ionosphere generated by the onboard engine THC Progress.

The purpose of the experiment is to determine the spatial and temporal dependence of the density, temperature, ionic composition of local inhomogeneities of the ionosphere, occurring as a result of on-board liquid-propellant rocket engines.

In the experiment, Radar-Progress is involved full-time equipment: propulsion THC Progress and VHF radio (Torah), as well as a set of ground-based radio observations.

The Russian spacecraft Progress undocked from the ISS and went to the free flight

He turned to the laboratory for physical experiments in the ionosphere. Especially for a three-week free flight on it a little bit of fuel left. After completion of the research mission of "Progress" in a designated flood area of ​​the Pacific Ocean, far from shipping routes. Vacant docking module on the station will take the following space vehicle that will carry into orbit food, water and scientific equipment. Its launch from Baikonur is scheduled for August 1.

Original text in Russian: http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=19372

Images, Video, Text, Credits: Press Service of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos PAO) / Roscosmos TV / 1 TV / NASA TV/ Translation: Orbiter.ch.

Cheers, Orbiter.ch