Progress MS explained

Progress MS Russian: Прогресс МС
Country:	Russia
Operator:	Roscosmos
Applications:	ISS resupply
Spacecraft Type:	Cargo
Design Life:	180 days docked to a space station
Manufacturer:	Energia
Orbits:	Low Earth orbit
Status:	Active
Built:	29
Orders:	8
Launched:	29 (as of 11 September 2024)
Operational:	2 (MS-28, MS-29)
Retired:	26
Lost:	1 (MS04)
First:	21 December 2015 (MS-01)
Last:	Active
Derivedfrom:	Progress M
Flown With:	Soyuz-2.1a (2015–) Soyuz-U (2016–2017) Soyuz-FG (2018–2019)

The Progress MS (; 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:^[1]

• 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 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:
• Total payload capacity at launch: – 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
  • Propellant: Up to
  • Water: Up to
  • Gases: Up to
• Total payload capacity (in cargo section) for disposal:

Progress MS improvements

The Progress MS received the following upgrades with compared to the Progress M:^{[2] [3] [4]}

• 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 (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 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.^{[5] [6]}
• Unified Command and Telemetry System (EKTS,): 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.^[7]
• 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.^[8]
• 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

Spacecraft	S/N	Launch (UTC)	Carrier rocket	Launch pad	Docking			Deorbit (UTC)	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^[9]	433	16 July 2016 21:41:45^[10]	Soyuz-U	Site 31/6	Pirs nadir	19 July 00:20	31 January 2017 14:25	31 January 17:34	ISS-64P
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 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.^[11]
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
Progress MS-17	446	30 June 2021 23:27:20	Soyuz-2.1a	Site 31/6	Poisk zenith	2 July 00:59	20 October 23:42	25 November 14:34 (with docking adapter)	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^[12] ^[13]
Progress MS-19	449^[14]	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

External links

• The Progess MS spacecraft (RussianSpaceWeb.com)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Progress cargo ship . 2024-11-23 . www.russianspaceweb.com.
2. Web site: Upgraded Progress Transport Cargo Spacecraft Getting Ready for Launch. Yuzhny Space Center. 10 August 2015. 13 August 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061422/http://www.tsenki.com/en/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=128142. dead.
3. Web site: Progress MS Spacecraft. Patrick. Blau. Spaceflight101.com. 17 November 2020.
4. Web site: Progress-MS 01-19. Gunter's Space Page. Gunter. Krebs. 1 December 2015. 16 November 2018.
5. Web site: Zak . Anatoly . 8 July 2016 . The Kurs-NA docking system for Soyuz MS . 9 July 2016 . RussianSpaceWeb.com.
6. Web site: Harding . Pete . 28 July 2012 . Progress M-15M re-docks to ISS following resolution of Kurs-NA failure . 1 September 2012 . NASASpaceFlight (not associated with NASA).
7. Web site: Zak . Anatoly . 7 July 2016 . The EKTS communications system for Soyuz MS spacecraft . 6 July 2016 . RussianSpaceWeb.com.
8. Web site: Zak . Anatoly . 3 July 2016 . Soyuz rocket flies critical test mission with Progress-MS . 6 July 2016 . RussianSpaceWeb.com.
9. Web site: Progress MS-03 heads to the ISS. Zak. Anatoly. 17 July 2016. Russian Space web. 2016-07-18.
10. Web site: Progress supply ship heads for International Space Station. Clark. Stephen. 16 July 2016. 2016-07-18.
11. Web site: Progress MS-09 mission to ISS. 2018-07-10.
12. Web site: Schedule of ISS flight events (part 2) . 2022-07-31 . forum.nasaspaceflight.com.
13. Web site: Год "Науки" на МКС . https://web.archive.org/web/20220821192201/https://www.roscosmos.ru/38032/ . 21 August 2022 . dead . ru . Year of "Science" on the ISS . 29 July 2022 . .
14. Web site: Progress-MS 01 - 19. 2021-11-09. Gunter's Space Page. en.