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Old April 17th, 2021 #121
Alex Him
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Allan View Post
Thanks for the new material, Alex. Being the 60th anniversary of Gagarin's flight was a few days ago, his short autobiography was interesting. Of all the information I have read about him throughout my life, I didn't know he was trained as a foundry worker prior to becoming a pilot and cosmonaut.
Ray, I can only hope that the words "moulder-caster" and "foundry" correctly express what Yuri Gagarin was preparing for.

We are all lucky that such a person left his professional activity to work in a branch that looks more like a hobby - aviation and cosmonautics.









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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old May 12th, 2021 #122
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Published on October 5, 2018











Published on October 8, 2018











Published on October 10, 2018











Published on October 18, 2018





The emergency rescue system worked and the cosmonauts survived.

07:30 - I did not translate Rogozin's words. He says the obvious things that there will be an investigation into the incident.



__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old July 22nd, 2021 #123
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Russia launches huge Nauka science module to space station after years of delays

Quote:
Russia's largest space laboratory yet launched into orbit Wednesday (July 21) on a mission to expand the International Space Station after 14 years of delays.

The Russian Multipurpose Research Module (MLM), also known as Nauka 'Science', blasted off toward the International Space Station at 10:58 EDT (14:58 UTC) atop a Proton-M rocket from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch was a longtime coming for Nauka, which was originally slated to launch in 2007.

. . . Nauka, which is expected to dock at the orbital outpost on July 29, will become the largest Russian component of the station. Over 42 feet (13 meters) long and with a maximum diameter of 14 feet (4.3 meters), the module will house research facilities but also provide a spare bed for a cosmonaut, as well as a toilet, oxygen regeneration system and gear for recycling water from urine.
https://www.space.com/russia-launche...esearch-module

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Old August 2nd, 2021 #124
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The unplanned firing of Nauka's thrusters.

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Old October 19th, 2021 #125
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Animation of Soyuz and Angara rocket launches from the new Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia's Far East.

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Old November 2nd, 2021 #126
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Published on October 27, 2021





On October 27 the Vyzov ("The Challenge") project was presented at the «Russia: Space» international conference at EXPO 2020. This is the first fiction film which was shot outside our planet.









Published on October 28, 2021





On October 28, 2021, the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and the Progress MS-18 transport cargo vehicle were launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Its docking to the "Zvezda" module of the ISS Russian segment is scheduled for October 30, 2021.

The new "space truck" will deliver to the International Space Station 470 kg of refueling fuel, 420 liters of drinking water in the Rodnik tanks, 40 kg of air and oxygen in cylinders, as well as 1 509 kg of equipment and materials in the cargo hold, including resource equipment and on-board systems maintenance, space experiments, medical and hygiene controls, garments, standard rations and fresh food.

01:00:19 - launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and the Progress MS-18 transport cargo vehicle;









Published on October 30, 2021











03:17 - the beginning of the live broadcast;

28:49 - docking of the Progress MS-18 spacecraft and the Zvezda module of the ISS Russian segment;









Working meeting with representatives of Republic of Zimbabwe



November 01, 2021 - 08:57







On November 1, 2021 Oleg Frolov, Roscosmos Deputy Director General had a meeting in Moscow with Reymore Machingura, Deputy Minister of Higher and Additional Education, Innovation, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Pianos Gweme, Acting Director of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA).





During the meeting, the parties discussed the perspectives of the Russian-Zimbabwean cooperation in the field of Earth remote sensing from space and training specialists for the space industry. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Roscosmos and ZINGSA on cooperation in the field of research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.








During the visit to Moscow, the delegation of the Republic of Zimbabwe will also pay a reference visit to the Russian rocket and space industry enterprises: the Russian Space Systems Scientific Center for Earth Operational Monitoring, NPO Lavochkin and the TsNIIMash Mission Control Center.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22484/






Refueling of Express-AMU3 spacecraft completed



November 01, 2021 - 10:52







The Express AMU3 spacecraft fueling with propellant components and compressed gases was completed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome beginning on October 30, 2021, when it was transported to the fueling and neutralization station at Site 91A of the cosmodrome.

Currently, the specialists of the Yuzhny Space Center (a branch of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation, part of Roscosmos) have conducted final fueling operations of Express AMU3. In accordance with the schedule, the spacecraft will be delivered to the assembly and testing facility of Site 92A for measuring the onboard buses resistance and checking the heaters integrity, as well as technical inspection of the solar cells.





The Ekspress series satellites are manufactured by order of the Russian satellite operator Russian Satellite Communications Company on behalf of the Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. The spacecraft are designed to provide a wide range of communications and broadcasting services in Russia, fixed and mobile communications, television and radio broadcasting services, high-speed broadband access to information resources and other applications.

The Proton-M rocket with the Briz-M upper-stage launch and Express-AMU3 and Express-AMU7 telecommunication spacecraft is scheduled to launch in December from Launchpad 200 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22482/






Soyuz-2 rocket for Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft unloaded



November 01, 2021 - 11:50



The Soyuz-2.1a rocket blocks unloading was performed in the assembly and testing building of Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Currently the blocks are undergoing external inspection.

The rocket in question will inject the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft into near-Earth orbit.

The next stage of work is docking of 1A and 2A compartments of the central block, and checking the tightness of the B and G units’ propulsion systems. All technological operations are performed by specialists of the Yuzhny Space Center (a branch of Center for Ground Space Infrastructure Operation) and the Progress Rocket and Space Center (part of Roscosmos).

The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to launch in the beginning of December from launchpad Vostok at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The flight to the International Space Station will last 12 days under a contract with Space Adventures. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin is the prime crew commander, taking Yusaku Maezawa, President of Start Today Corporation, and his personal assistant Yozo Hirano into space as spaceflight participants.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22480/






Prichal Node Module patch unveiled



November 01, 2021 - 12:37







Roscosmos has started the final stage of shaping the final composition of the International Space Station Russian segment. With the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle and the Progress M-UM cargo spacecraft final ground checks going on, the logo of the next Russian mission to the International Space Station with the Prichal Node Module.

This will be the next launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome scheduled for November 24, 2021 at 13:06 UTC. The day before, the Progress M-UM cargo spacecraft-module passed leak tests in the vacuum chamber of the assembly and testing building of Site 254.

The general appearance of the Prichal patch continues the basic idea (and symbolism) used in a similar patch of the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module, including Roscosmos logo and the trademark red trim, but the pentagonal shape is unique. This is because the module has five passive docking units for docking Russian-built crewed and cargo spacecraft, as well as for possible expansion of the Russian segment configuration.

The new International Space Station module is pictured in the center of the patch with the attributes traditionally placed on the modules: the logo of the manufacturing organization (Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, part of Roscosmos), the flag of the Russian Federation and its own name Prichal (‘berth’).

The two stars in the left corner of the patch symbolize Nauka and Prichal, the two new modules of the Russian segment. The two big stars in the right corner represent the Zarya Functional Cargo Module and the Zvezda Service Module, the two small ones there represent the small research modules Rassvet (MIM-1) and Poisk (MIM-2) mini-research modules.

Finally, the patch perimeter also contains the names of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and the Progress M-UM cargo spacecraft-module in the upper left and right parts, and the new Prichal Node Module in the lower part.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22481/






Baiterek space rocket complex creation discussed at Baikonur Cosmodrome



November 01, 2021 - 13:02







Basis Group President Alexander Belovitch visited the Baiterek space rocket complex facilities at the Baikonur cosmodrome as part of his working visit. During the visit, together with specialists from the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation (part of Roscosmos), representatives of both companies discussed the matter of deploying design and construction works to create ground-based space infrastructure for the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle.





The development of design estimate documentation by specialists of Bazis Engeneering LLP (the Bazis Group design institute, the Kazakhstan side project executor) is already underway. In the near future, a group of specialists will arrive at the cosmodrome to do surveying and measurement works.





The Baiterek project implies deep modernization of the Zenit-M rocket ground space infrastructure to be used for the newest Russian Soyuz-5 rocket preparation and launch. The new complex distinctive features are its environmental friendliness, higher payload capacity, and market appeal.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22483/






EP-20 crews settling in their space home



November 02, 2021 - 06:40







Preparations continue for the 20th visiting expedition to the International Space Station. In early December 2021, Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant Yozo Hirano are scheduled to go into orbit. The Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft will be piloted by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin. The EP-20 backup crew includes Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and Japanese spaceflight participant Shun Ogiso.

















It was the backups who first took part in the training on the ISS Russian segment, which is called a typical flight day. The 20th visiting expedition to the station will last 12 days.

















Representatives of Japan are going into orbit as space tourists. They do not need to prepare to work in weightlessness, but it is important to learn how to heat their own food, brew drinks and fully service themselves in everyday life. Another skill that is usually practiced during such training is recording a video message from the station. In addition, the spaceflight participants must navigate in the ISS Russian segment and know the algorithm of actions in case of abnormal or emergency situations.

















This time, similar situations were simulated for both crews: problems with the waste management system and a fire on the station. The cosmonauts and spaceflight participants successfully coped with all the difficulties. In addition to the tasks performed jointly, Alexander Skvortsov and then Alexander Misurkin carried out their part of the sequence as the 20th expedition to the ISS flight engineers during typical flight days.

















Two weeks later, on November 15, the EP-20 prime and backup crews will start complex examination training, after which they will continue their prelaunch training at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Soyuz MS-20 craft is scheduled to launch on December 8, 2021.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22485/






20th visiting expedition to the ISS participants deemed fit for spaceflight



November 02, 2021 - 12:53







The Chief Medical Commission meeting was held at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) to analyze medical examination data of the cosmonauts and the spaceflight participants of the 20th visiting expedition to the International Space Station.

The Commission consisted of the representatives of GCTC, Roscosmos, Federal Medico-Biological Agency, Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Ministry of Health and Russian Ministry of Defense.





By the decision of the commission Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, spaceflight Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano (EP-20 prime crew) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and Shun Ogiso (EP-20 backup crew) were deemed medically fit for spaceflight.

The Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft is scheduled to launch on December 8, 2021 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The flight is to last 12 days.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22486/
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old November 13th, 2021 #127
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OneWeb Mission 37 launch campaign began at Baikonur



November 02, 2021 - 16:48



The Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket prelaunch preparations with a Fregat upper stage and OneWeb satellites under Mission 37 have begun at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. In the Site 31 assembly and testing facility the Fregat upper stage preparations are underway (manufactured by NPO Lavochkin, part of Roscosmos).

Schematic assembly, pneumatic-vacuum and electrical tests were performed according to schedule. Specialists of the Yuzhny Space Center (a branch of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation, part of Roscosmos) and NPO Lavochkin took part in the work.

The Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat upper stage and OneWeb satellites is scheduled to launch in the end of December from the Vostok launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. OneWeb satellites are intended to create a space communication system that will provide high-speed Internet access worldwide. The orbital constellation will consist of 18 planes with 36 satellites each.

The first six OneWeb satellites went into space from the Guiana Space Center on a Soyuz-ST rocket on February 28, 2019. Thirty-four satellites were launched from Baikonur on February 7, 2020, with another batch of 34 craft on March 21. OneWeb was launched from Vostochny for the first time in mid-December 2020, 36 spacecraft were injected into their target orbits. Further launches from the new Russian spaceport were carried out on March 25, April 26, May 28, July 1 and October 14, 2021; launches from Baikonur took place on August 22 and September 14, 2021.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22487/






Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft vacuum tests began at Baikonur



November 05, 2021 - 08:32







The Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft prelaunch processing continues at Site 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Today, the spacecraft was transported to the vacuum chamber of the processing facility for leak tests.








Upon completion of the preparations, specialists from RSC Energia and core enterprises of Roscosmos transported and loaded spacecraft Soyuz MS-20 to the vacuum chamber cradle. A pneumatic vacuum test cycle is intended for qualitative ground leak check of the spacecraft and its onboard systems.





The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz-MS-20 spacecraft is scheduled to launch in December 2021. The crewed mission to the International Space Station will last 12 days under a contract with the Space Adventures company. The spacecraft prime crew commander is Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Yusaku Maezawa, president of Start Today Corporation, and his personal assistant Yozo Hirano have been included into the prime crew as spaceflight participants.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22499/






Progress M-UM spacecraft-module solar array check



November 05, 2021 - 11:31







Prelaunch processing of the Progress M-UM cargo spacecraft-module carrying the Prichal Node Module continues in the Site 254 processing facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On November 5, 2021, a planned operation was conducted to test insolate the spacecraft-module solar arrays of the onboard power supply system.








To check the solar arrays functioning, specialists from RSC Energia deployed the photovoltaic panels and insolated them with powerful lamps to record parameters of solar power conversion into electric power. In addition to this, processing of cargo and hardware to be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) is being completed.








The multi-purpose Prichal Node Module developed and built by RSC Energia is designed to enhance the engineering and operational capabilities of the International Space Station Russian Segment. The launch of Prichal as part of the Progress M-UM spacecraft-module on a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket is scheduled for November 24, 2021.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22498/






Express AMU7 spacecraft being fueled at Baikonur



November 05, 2021 - 11:36







Technological operations for filling the Express AMU7 spacecraft with fuel components and compressed gases are underway at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. According to the schedule, they continued for two days at the fueling-neutralization station at Site 91A of the cosmodrome.





These operations were carried out by specialists of the Yuzhny Space Center (a branch of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation, part of Roscosmos). The spacecraft has been transported to the assembly and testing facility at Site 92A for transferring to the workplace and xenon fueling operations.





The Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper-stage rocket and Express-AMU3 and Express-AMU7 telecommunication spacecraft is scheduled for launch in December from Site 200 launch complex of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft are designed to provide a wide range of communications and broadcasting services in the Russian Federation, to provide fixed and mobile communications, television and radio broadcasting services, broadband high-speed access to information resources and other applications.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22495/






Swirling deposits in a giant impact basin



November 05, 2021 - 17:32







This mesmerizing image of swirling deposits on Mars was taken by the CaSSIS camera on the ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter on 9 May 2021.

The swirling and looping texture is typical of the deposits on the floor of the Hellas impact basin in the southern hemisphere of Mars. At 2300 km in diameter and 7 km deep, Hellas is one of the largest identified impact craters both on Mars and within the Solar System.

The terrain imaged in this scene, centred at 52°42'E/39°38'S, is at one of the lowest points of Mars.

The swirling nature of the landscape evokes a feeling of flow. The exact reason for its origin is a puzzle however, and could be attributed to one of many different processes: salt tectonism, or viscous deformation of ice and sediments, for example.

TGO arrived at Mars in 2016 and began its full science mission in 2018. The spacecraft is not only returning spectacular images, but also providing the best ever inventory of the planet’s atmospheric gases, and mapping the planet’s surface for water-rich locations. It will also provide data relay services for the second ExoMars mission comprising the Rosalind Franklin rover and Kazachok platform, when it arrives on Mars in 2023.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22489/






Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket stack assembled at Baikonur



November 06, 2021 - 11:34







According to the integrated work schedule, on November 5, 2021 specialists of the Yuzhny Space Center (a branch of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation) and the Progress Space-Rocket Center (both are parts of Roscosmos) have completed assembling the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle stack (1 and 2 stages).








After completion of assembly operations, the stack was transported to the place of storage. Technological activities were performed in the assembly and test building of the technical complex at Site 31.





The Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft is scheduled to launch in the beginning of December 2021 from launchpad Vostok of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft prime crew commander is Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Yusaku Maezawa, president of Start Today Corporation, and his personal assistant Yozo Hirano have been included into the prime crew as spaceflight participants. Their backups are Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and spaceflight participant Shun Ogiso.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22493/






Anton Shkaplerov assumes command of ISS



November 06, 2021 - 17:51







The Crew-2 mission is nearing completion aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan MacArthur, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide are preparing to return to Earth. On November 6, 2021, a shift change of crews took place at the ISS.

The process of transferring the shift on the station is a formal signing ceremony between the two commanders: European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who was in charge since October 4, 2021, and cosmonaut from Roscosmos Anton Shkaplerov signed the act of transfer.





Hero of Russia, cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, will lead the international crew of the 66th long-term expedition until his return to Earth in spring 2022. Anton Shkaplerov set off into his fourth mission on October 5, 2021 on the Soyuz MS-19 crewed spacecraft.





According to preliminary data from NASA, the Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to undock on November 7, 2021. After its undocking and until the arrival of a new crew, Roscosmos cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov, Pyotr Dubrov and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei will continue their work at the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft with the Crew-3 mission of Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer is expected to launch next week.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22492/
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old November 13th, 2021 #128
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Layered history



November 07, 2021 - 19:34







Exquisite detail of the Red Planet’s history is captured in this image taken by the CaSSIS camera on the ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) on 21 April 2021.

Zooming into the image shows the details of layered deposits exposed on the floor of a 50 km wide impact crater. Sediments that have been eroded by the wind reveal their internal layering. Dark sand has been trapped in the low parts of the terrain and contrasts with the brighter sedimentary rocks. In places the layers are offset by faults cutting through them, showing that the ground has been fractured in the past.

TGO arrived at Mars in 2016 and began its full science mission in 2018. The spacecraft is not only returning spectacular images, but also providing the best ever inventory of the planet’s atmospheric gases, and mapping the planet’s surface for water-rich locations. It will also provide data relay services for the second ExoMars mission comprising the Rosalind Franklin rover and Kazachok platform, when it arrives on Mars in 2023.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22490/






Three Gonets-M satellites awaiting launch



November 08, 2021 - 07:24







Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company (ISS, part of Roscosmos) has completed building of three Gonets-M spacecraft. They have passed a full cycle of ground tests.

ISS Reshetnev specialists have checked the correctness of their installation on the separation unit, which will be used to dock the three spacecraft to the launch vehicles. The spacecraft are ready to be sent to the Baikonur Cosmodrome and are at the manufacturer's custody. Their launch is planned for 2022.

These spacecraft were built to replenish the Gonets-D1M multifunction personal satellite communications system orbital constellation. The system provides hard-to-reach territories with communications, organize data transmission networks for various agencies, industrial, ecological and scientific monitoring.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22491/






EP-20 crews commanders passed manual docking exam



November 08, 2021 - 12:05







The EP-20 prime crew commander Alexander Misurkin and his backup Alexander Skvortsov have passed the Soyuz MS spacecraft manual docking exam.





During the examination training, the cosmonauts performed three docking modes each using the Don-Soyuz specialized simulator. When the vehicle is approaching the space station, an abnormal situation can occur. The exam requires recognizing what might hinder the docking and demonstrate to the commission an algorithm of actions to solve the problem.





Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Misurkin and his backup Alexander Skvortsov performed the tasks one by one, without the help of flight engineers as there are none in their crews. In December, spaceflight participants from Japan Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano will go to the International Space Station as tourists. The Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft commander will control the vehicle all by himself.





This is not a unique situation. Commander of the ISS-66 crew Anton Shkaplerov, currently at the ISS, also took a solo manual docking test before the flight, as did his backup Oleg Artemyev. Constant honing such skills allows cosmonauts to act clearly and confidently in abnormal situations.





For example, on October 5, 2021 Anton Shkaplerov had to manually dock the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft with the station. He had spaceflight participants Klim Shipenko and Yulia Peresild onboard; the docking was successful. The ‘Challenge’ project crew fulfilled its tasks at the ISS and safely returned to Earth, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy. Anton Shkaplerov continues to work in orbit.





EP-20 expedition participants will stay at the station for 12 days and return to Earth with the same team. Next week Alexander Misurkin and Alexander Skvortsov will join their crews and continue exams together. The Soyuz MS-20 is scheduled to launch on December 8, 2021 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22496/






ISS orbit altitude correction scheduled for November 16



November 08, 2021 - 13:36







In order to form the ballistic conditions prior to the launch and landing of the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft, a routine orbit altitude correction of the International Space Station is scheduled for November 16, 2021.

According to the ballistic and navigation support service of the TsNIIMash Mission Control Center (part of Roscosmos) preliminary data, a command will be issued to turn on the Progress MS-18 cargo spacecraft engines at 17:40 UTC. The engines will fire for 478 seconds. After the corrective maneuver, the station's average orbital altitude should increase by 1.3 km to 420.76 km.

The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to launch on December 8, 2021. The crewed mission to the International Space Station will last 12 days under a contract with the Space Adventures company. The spacecraft prime crew commander is Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Yusaku Maezawa, president of Start Today Corporation, and his personal assistant Yozo Hirano have been included into the prime crew as spaceflight participants. Their backups are Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and spaceflight participant Shun Ogiso.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22497/






Fregat upper stages sent to Vostochny and Baikonur



November 09, 2021 - 07:04



The Fregat upper stage, meant to launch the Russian Luna-25 spacecraft, was dispatched from NPO Lavochkin (part of Roscosmos) on November 9, 2021 to be delivered to the Vostochny Cosmodrome by air.

The Luna-25 spacecraft produced by NPO Lavochkin is created using Russian components and the latest achievements in the field of space instrumentation. The main task of the mission is to develop basic technologies of soft landing in the near-polar region and to carry out contact studies of the South Pole of the Moon. Luna-25 is scheduled to launch in 2022 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle and a Fregat upper stage.

Two containers with Fregat upper stages for Soyuz-2 rocket launches with OneWeb satellite system spacecraft were also dispatched from the enterprise. The upper stages will be delivered by rail to the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Fregat upper stage is manufactured by NPO Lavochkin and is used in the medium class launch vehicles ensuring efficient injection of one or more spacecraft into operational orbits or departing trajectories. The entire injection process is performed autonomously without any interference from Earth. Since 2000, the Fregat upper stage has completed 101 launch campaigns and injected over 700 Russian and foreign-made spacecraft into various near-Earth orbits and flight paths.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22500/






Launch escape system propulsion unit delivered to Baikonur



November 09, 2021 - 13:28



The launch escape system (LES) propulsion unit was delivered to airport Krayny of the Baikonur Cosmodrome by an An-12 plane in preparation for the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft launch.

Currently, the Yuzhny Space Center specialists (branch of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation Center) and the Progress Rocket and Space Center (part of Roscosmos) unloaded it and transported to Building 54 of the cosmodrome Site 112.

The propulsion unit consists of three types of solid propellant rocket engines: separation engines for jettisoning and breaking off the retractable part from the Soyuz-2 rocket, control engines for formation and stabilization of the flight trajectory and flap jettisoning engines for separation and breaking off the LES propulsion unit and habitable compartment from the descent vehicle landing site. Before separation of the first stage of the launch vehicle, the LES propulsion unit is jettisoned.

The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to launch on December 8, 2021. The crewed mission to the International Space Station will last 12 days under a contract with the Space Adventures company. The spacecraft prime crew commander is Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Yusaku Maezawa, president of Start Today Corporation, and his personal assistant Yozo Hirano have been included into the prime crew as spaceflight participants. Their backups are Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and spaceflight participant Shun Ogiso.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22501/






ISS preparing for space debris evasion maneuver



November 10, 2021 - 12:49



A fragment of the Fengyun-1C spacecraft will approach the International Space Station around 1 a.m. UTC on Friday, November 12, 2021.

According to preliminary data from the TsNIIMash Main Information and Analysis Center of the Automated Warning System for Dangerous Situations in near-Earth Space. (ASPOS OKP, part of Roscosmos), the minimum distance between the object and the ISS will be just over 600 meters.

In order to evade the space debris object, specialists of the ballistic and navigational support service of the TsNIIMash Mission Control Center calculated the International Space Station orbit correction parameters.

On Wednesday, November 10, at 20:15 UTC the Progress MS-18 cargo spacecraft docking and orientation engines will be fired for 361 seconds, giving the station a momentum of 0.7 m/s.

After the corrective maneuver, the ISS orbit average altitude will increase by 1,240 m and reach 420.72 km.


ISS orbit parameters after the corrective maneuver:

Orbital period: 92.93 min;
Orbital inclination: 51.66 deg;
Minimum orbital altitude: 417.90 km;
Maximum orbital altitude: 438.39 km.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22502/
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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
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Old November 13th, 2021 #129
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Aleksander Misurkin and Aleksander Skvortsov pass manual control descent exam



November 10, 2021 - 14:28







The EP-20 prime and backup crews’ commanders continue taking their exams. On November 10, 2021, they showed skills to control the spacecraft under real overload, which can be experienced during the reentry. A specialized manual control descent simulator based on the TsF-18 centrifuge is used to conduct the exam.





Early December, the Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant, Yozo Hirano, should go into orbit. The Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft will be controlled by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin. EP-20 backup crew includes Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and spaceflight participant Shun Ogiso. Representatives of Japan will go into space as tourists.





At this stage of preparation for the flight, Alexander Misurkin, EP-20 prime crew commander is taking exams together with his backup Alexander Skvortsov. The cosmonauts demonstrate the algorithm of actions to be performed in case automatics failure during the reentry or a recommendation to switch to manual control descent is received.





‘During the examination training, the spacecraft commander performs four descents: two in static mode and two in the rotating centrifuge. Manual control descent is deemed as backup, in reality we did not have to use it, but the cosmonauts must be ready for any situation,’ said Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center instructor Anton Renzhin.





In any mode the main goal is to land with minimal overload and as close to the target point as possible.





On November 15, 2021, the EP-20 prime and back-up crews will begin comprehensive examinations, after which they will continue the prelaunch training at Baikonur. The launch of Soyuz MS-20 is scheduled for December 8, 2021.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22504/






ISS orbital altitude correction conducted



November 10, 2021 - 20:26



The International Space Station orbital altitude was increased on Wednesday evening to avoid space debris. According to preliminary data, after the maneuver, the ISS orbital altitude increased by about 1.2 km.

On November 10, 2021 at 20:15 UTC, a command was issued to fire the Progress MS-18 cargo spacecraft engines for six minutes, docked to the Zvezda Service Module ISS Russian segment.

Previously, the ISS orbital altitude was adjusted on October 12, 2021. According to the TsNIIMash Mission Control Center Ballistic and Navigational Support Service (part of Roscosmos), the orbital parameters of the International Space Station are as follows:

Orbital period: 92.927 min;
Orbital inclination: 51,663 degrees;
Minimum orbital altitude: 417.94 km;
Maximum orbital altitude: 438.39 km.

Previously, a fragment of the Fengyun-1C satellite was to approach the station in the morning of November 12. According to preliminary data of the TsNIIMash Main Information and Analysis Center of the Automated Warning System for Dangerous Situations in near-Earth Space (ASPOS OKP, part of Roscosmos), the minimum distance between the object and the ISS would be about 600 meters.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are currently working aboard the International Space Station. The Crew-3 mission crew including astronauts Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer are expected to join them soon.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22503/






Russia's government to allocate 6,5 billion rubles for space industry development



November 11, 2021 - 09:29






The Government of the Russian Federation will allocate additional 6.5 billion rubles for the development of the space industry, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a Government meeting on Thursday.

‘On the instructions of the President, the Government will allocate an additional 6.5 billion rubles for the development of the space industry, including unconditional fulfillment of international obligations in this area. Our country has always been a reliable partner, that clearly follows all agreements reached,’ Mishustin said.

Russia retains one of the leading positions in the world in the space industry. Today, Russian cosmonautics faces serious strategic tasks and ambitious plans related to space exploration and development, as well as the fulfillment of international obligations.

‘It is important to improve the efficiency of the entire industry, develop scientific potential, and improve infrastructure,’ stressed Prime Minister.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22505/






Preparations continue for Soyuz-ST rocket launch in French Guiana



November 11, 2021 - 11:05







Work continues at the Soyuz launch complex at the Guiana Space Center under the 26th launch campaign. At the assembly and testing facility, Roscosmos organizations’ specialists have assembled the Soyuz-ST rocket first and second stage stack, performed pneumovacuum tests of propulsion units.











At the refueling station, specialists from the Barmin Research Institute of Launch Complexes (a branch of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation) and NPO Lavochkin (all parts of Roscosmos) have completed filling the Fregat upper stage tanks with oxidizer and prepare to fill it with propellant.











TsENKI specialists work to prepare the launch pad technological equipment systems and components to receive the launch vehicle. All work performed by Russian specialists at the Guiana Space Center technical and launch complexes, are carried out observing the schedule.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22506/






November 16 ISS orbit correction canceled



November 11, 2021 - 14:33



The International Space Station orbital altitude was increased by about 1.2 km on November 10, 2021, to avoid space debris.

Previously, a planned ISS orbit correction was scheduled for November 16 to form the ballistic conditions before the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft launching and landing, however the avoidance maneuver calculated by the TsNIImash Mission Control Center (part of Roscosmos) allowed cancelling the November 16 reboost.

Currently, Roscosmos cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are working at the International Space Station. The Crew-3 mission crew of astronauts Thomas Marshburn, Raja Chari, Kayla Barron and Matthias Maurer is scheduled to join them tomorrow morning. In December, as expected, the station will be visited by spaceflight participants from Japan Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano, they will fly to the ISS on the Soyuz MS-20 crewed spacecraft commanded by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22507/






Additional funding will allow implement planned scientific research



November 12, 2021 - 07:34



The decision of the Government of the Russian Federation to allocate additional funds for the development of the space industry will allow to provide the necessary funding for basic space research in such areas as:

Lunar research;

Studies of astrophysical objects in the ultraviolet and visible electromagnetic spectrum;

Studies of Venus.

In addition, the funding will be provided within the joint ExoMars project with the European Space Agency to study Mars. The first spacecraft was launched in 2016, the second is to be launched in 2022. At the same time, this will ensure fulfilling the scientific research program via the X-ray space observatory (the Spektr-RG spacecraft).

Dmitry Rogozin, Roscosmos Director General: ‘The adoption of the Russian Federation Government's order to allocate additional funds to Roscosmos from the reserve fund will allow fulfilling President Vladimir Putin's assignment and create the necessary conditions for solving tasks under the fundamental space research program at the level of the leading space agencies.

The funds will be used in full, the industrial enterprises will receive them this year under the contracts already signed and implemented.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22508/






Proton-M carrier rocket being prepared at Baikonur for Express spacecraft launch



November 12, 2021 - 11:55



Proton-M carrier rocket, Briz-M upper stage and the payload fairing developed and manufactured by the Khrunichev Center (a part of Roscosmos) are being prepared for Express AMU3 and Express AMU7 telecommunications spacecraft launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

The preparations are underway in the Site 92A-50 assembly and testing facility.

The Proton-M will launch the Express satellites manufactured by Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (a part of Roscosmos) at the order of the Russian Satellite Communications Company. The satellites will provide a wide range of communications and digital TV-broadcasting services in Russia and the CIS countries in various frequency bands.

Proton-M rocket and Briz-M upper stage developed and serially produced by the Khrunichev Center. Since 1965, there have been 425 launches of various Proton rocket modifications.

The modernized Proton-M rocket with improved control system, a higher level of performance and environmental performance has been in operation since 2001. Proton-M, equipped with Briz-M upper stage, launches payloads of up to 3.3 tons into geostationary orbit and over 6 tons into transfer orbit.




The source of information - http://en.roscosmos.ru/22509/
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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old November 13th, 2021 #130
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Published on November 9, 2021





Roscosmos cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov shares new space views from the International Space Station. This time he managed to capture the Aurora Borealis!









Published on November 10, 2021











The runway of the future airport for heavy transport aircraft and reentry rocket units. The work began in June this year.









Published on November 11, 2021





__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old November 13th, 2021 #131
Ray Allan
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Vostochny's new runway will also be useful if Roskosmos develops another Buran-type space shuttle or spaceplane.

Sad to see how the last flight-model Buran ended up vandalized and with the roof collapsing on it at Baikonur.
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Old November 13th, 2021 #132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Allan View Post
Vostochny's new runway will also be useful if Roskosmos develops another Buran-type space shuttle or spaceplane.

Sad to see how the last flight-model Buran ended up vandalized and with the roof collapsing on it at Baikonur.
As far as I understand, a certain reusable spacecraft will be developed, but I don't think that it will be very similar to Buran.

This is a fragment of an interview with Rogozin (07.08.2020):

"Quite often you can hear the opinion that the collapse of the USSR was facilitated by the high cost of the "Energy-Buran" project. You can argue with that. But won't the lunar program become the cause of economic problems for Russia? It's still an expensive project. The United States at one time abandoned the lunar program, because even their budget could not afford such costs.

<...> As for the "Energy-Buran" program, it ended not because the country could not finance this project. The problem was different. It turned out that after the automatic flight of the Buran, no one could figure out how to further use this spacecraft. The problem here was the lack of long-term system planning and strategic vision under Gorbachev's rule. There was no understanding of the second step, the third step. But what we are offering today is a completely different approach. The engineering configuration of a super-heavy rocket itself consists of modular structures: the first and second stages are a bundle of modules of several "Soyuz-5" launch vehicles, the central unit is a "Soyuz-6" launch vehicle. We have proposed an option that will not cost that colossal amount of money, but will cost the country incomparably cheaper than "Energy-Buran". We calculated that our rocket, in comparison with the American one, would cost several times cheaper.

<...>

We, (if we make a replacement for the "Soyuz MS" for servicing orbital stations, because the operation of the [spacecraft under development] "Орёл / Eagle", will be expensive for these purposes), we need to make a reusable spacecraft of a completely different configuration - something like the "Buran" with the ability landing on runways. I set this task to our engineers. The Energia Corporation and other teams will now offer such options for space technology. "Soyuz MS", of course, will still serve. It is constantly being upgraded. But endless modernization is destructive for the development of space technology. The light bulb did not appear as a result of the modernization of candles.

The next step will be the creation of a new reusable spacecraft for the development and operation of low orbits. And for deep space the spacecraft "Eagle" will be designed. Work on it is actively going on, unlike in previous years, I can see it." - https://www.roscosmos.ru/28947/
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Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
Old November 21st, 2021 #133
Ray Allan
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He also blessed the camera lens with holy water. Or the photographer.

The previous flight, Soyuz MS-10 in October 2018 had a launch abort. So a little extra help for the next flight couldn't hurt.
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Old November 24th, 2021 #134
Alex Him
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Allan View Post
He also blessed the camera lens with holy water. Or the photographer.

The previous flight, Soyuz MS-10 in October 2018 had a launch abort. So a little extra help for the next flight couldn't hurt.
I suggest taking a fine from this priest if any problems happen with the spaceship (for poorly performed work)
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(c) Alan Alexander Miln
 
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