Docking to the SM Aft port was successful. Everything performed nominally. :thumbup:
Following the docking, this is the ISS's current configuration:
Hi-res version.
---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Spaceflight Now: "Space station receives latest Russian resupply ship".
SPACE.com: "New Russian Supply Ship Docks at Space Station".
Here's the docking video from NASA TV.
---------- Post added at 09:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 12/09/2010:
Yest kasaniye! At 11:57 AM GMT, Progress M-07M/39P docked successfully to the SM Aft port under automatic KURS control, followed by a final DPO post-contact thrusting burn, docking probe retraction and hook closure ("sborka", ~12:04 PM GMT) after motion damp-out while the ISS was in free drift for 20 minutes (11:58 AM to 12:18 PM GMT). At "hooks closed" signal, the SM returned to active attitude control, maneuvering the ISS to LVLH (Local Vertical Local Horizontal) TEA (Torque Equilibrium Attitude) at ~12:18 PM GMT. Control authority returned to US Momentum Management at ~1:00 PM GMT. Russian thrusters were disabled temporarily during clamps install and leak check (1:30 PM to 3:25 PM GMT). All Progress systems operated nominally from automated rendezvous start at approximately 9:32 AM GMT, Progress KURS-A activation and testing, KURS antenna retraction, and ending with successful approach & docking.
For monitoring 39P maneuvering and docking, CDR Alexander Skvortsov & FE-2 Tracy Caldwell-Dyson set up the Ku-band video "scheme". [The crew configured the SSC-1 (Station Support Computer-1) A31p laptop in the FGB and activated the VWS (Video Streaming Workstation) laptop for both the conversion and the "streaming" MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Expert Group-2) encoding in order to downlink "streaming video" packets via US OpsLAN and Ku-band. The previously used ESA MPEG-2 Encoder in the SM was not used, in favor of the more stable VWS.]
Also before docking, the amateur/ham radio equipment was deactivated to prevent RF (Radio Frequency) interference with the Progress KURS radio control system.
Tracy installed the four snubber alignment guides on the T2 treadmill to protect the exercise device. After the docking and before first exercise run, FE-4 Doug Wheelock removed the guides.
In addition, Tracy closed the protective shutters of the Lab, JPM & Cupola science windows.
After the 39P docking, Alexander & FE-3 Mikhail Kornienko shut off the TORU teleoperated rendezvous & docking system, used as manual standby, and reconfigured the STTS telephone/telegraph subsystem to normal ops. [The "Voskhod-M" STTS enables telephone communications between the SM, FGB, DC-1 and USOS, and also with users on the ground over VHF (Very High Frequency) channels selected by an operator at an SM comm. panel, via STTS antennas on the SM's outside. There are six comm. panels in the SM with pushbuttons for accessing any of three audio channels, plus an intercom channel. Other modes of the STTS include telegraphy (teletype), EVA voice, emergency alarms, Packet/Email, and TORU docking support].
The crewmembers then conducted the standard 1 hour leak checking of the docking vestibule and fuel/oxidizer transfer line interface between Progress and the SM PKhO (Transfer Compartment).
Later today, the Russian crewmembers:
- Opened the hatches (~3:00 PM GMT) and installed the QD (Quick Disconnect) screw clamps (BZV) of the docking & internal transfer mechanism (SSVP) to rigidize the coupling (CDR).
- Performed the standard air sampling inside Progress with the Russian AK-1M air sampler (FE-5 Fyodor Yurchikhin).
- Powered down the spacecraft and installing the ventilation/heating air duct (CDR).
- Took photographs of the internal docking surfaces for subsequent downlinking (FE-5).
- Dismantled the docking mechanism (StM, Stykovochnovo mekhanizma) between Progress and the SM (~4:00 PM GMT) [the StM is the "classic" probe-and-cone type, consisting of an active docking assembly (ASA) with a probe (SSh), which fits into the cone (SK) on the passive docking assembly (PSA) for initial soft dock and subsequent retraction to hard dock. The ASA is mounted on the Progress' cargo module (GrO), while the PSA sits on the docking ports of the SM, FGB, DC-1, MRM-2 & MRM-1].
- Transferred a number of Russian high priority biotechnology payloads to the ISS, setting them up in the RS (Russian Segment) and taking documentary photography of each:
o BTKh-5/LAKTOLEN (to Bioecology containers in SM).
o BTKh-6/ARIL (to the TBU thermostat-controlled incubator at +29°C).
o BTKh-7/OChB.
o BTKh-14/BIOEMULSIYA.
o BTKh-26/KASKAD (Cascade), (to KRIOGEM-03M at +4°C).
o BTKh-40/BIF (to MRM-2, then to TBU at +29°C).
o BTKh-41/BACTERIOFAG (Bakteriophag, to container and TBU).
o BTKh-10/KONYUGATSIYA (to KRIOGEM-03M at +4°C).
o BIO-1/POLIGENE.
o TkhN-9/KRISTALLIZATOR.
FE-6 Shannon Walker handled the high-priority transfer & installation of two critical science payloads from Progress:
- ESA SODI (Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument) experiment.
- JAXA PCG (Protein Crystal Growth) canister – installed in the PCRF (Protein Crystallization Research Facility) and PCRF cables connected.
Fyodor then had ~1.5 hours reserved on his timeline for the first cargo transfers from the Progress to the ISS.
On the US side, Tracy disassembled & removed the RS video "scheme" while Doug powered up the amateur/ham radio equipment in the SM.
---------- Post added 13th Sep 2010 at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was 12th Sep 2010 at 09:37 PM ----------
Roscosmos PAO: "Progress M-07M will Boost ISS Оrbit Twice".
In the nearest future, Progress M-07M cargo vehicle which docked to the International Space Station yesterday will boost ISS orbit.
The first reboost operation is slated for September 15, in order to prepare the station for docking with Soyuz TMA-01M on October 10, and to maintain favorable conditions for Soyuz TMA-18 landing on September 24.
The other reboost is scheduled on October 15. This time the cargo spaceship will raise the orbit of the station to support further rendezvous and docking of Progress M-08M on Oct. 30 and Discovery shuttle on Nov. 3.
---------- Post added at 10:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------
Here's the docking photos.
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
Hi-res version.
This one taken from MRM-2!
Hi-res version.
---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 PM ----------
Progress M-07M included a kit with census report forms for the All-Russian population census of 2010. It is assumed that the Russian cosmonauts of the ISS among the first will take part in the All-Russian population census of 2010.
Full story (with images) from RSC Energia.
