14 DAY TRIAL // The Russian Federal Space Agency (RosCosmos) launched a new resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday, April 20. The Progress 47 robotic capsule reached orbit successfully, and is expected to dock with the orbital outpost on April 22.
The spacecraft took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in the Kazakh steppe, at 8:50 EDT (1250 EDT) yesterday, April 20, aboard a Soyuz medium-lift delivery system. It reached its first transfer orbit just 10 minutes after launch.
According to the flight manifest, the robotic capsule is carrying 2.5 tons of supplies for members of the Expedition 30 crew aboard the station. The cargo includes food, water, oxygen, scientific experiments, propellant for the station's maneuvering thrusters, as well as personal items for the astronauts.
On Thursday, April 19, the Progress 46 spacecraft – filled with trash and unneeded materials – undocked from the ISS, and entered a stable orbit around the planet. After Progress 47 occupies the dock it recently made available, the capsule will be set ablaze high in the atmosphere.
In order to destroy the capsule, RosCosmos mission controllers will set it on a angled reentry course, which will cause the spacecraft to break apart and burn above the Pacific Ocean, Space reports.
This is standard procedure for Russian resupply capsules. At the end of July, the Progress 47 spacecraft will have the exact same fate, once its successor, Progress 48, launches. What is interesting about the timing of its launch is that it comes just 10 days ahead of a historic moment for private spaceflight.
On April 30, Hawthorne, California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) plans to launch its unmanned Dragon cargo capsule to the ISS as well, the first instance when a private spacecraft will attempt to dock with the $100 billion orbital lab.
The capsule will take off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 medium-lift rocket. This will be Falcon 9's third,and Dragon's second, flight to space.
Under a $1.6 billion COTS agreement between SpaceX and NASA, the spaceflight company has to fly 12 resupply missions to the ISS over the next few years. This arrangement will last until the United States finish developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).
In addition to being the first private spacecraft to attempt to dock to the station, Dragon is also the first unmanned, American vehicle ever to head for the ISS. Thus far, the US involvement in the ISS Project was defined by the use of its three iconic shuttles, which were retired from active duty last year.