The Multifunctional Space Relay System (MSRS) "Luch" (the operating organization is JSC "Gonets Satellite System", part of the State Corporation "Roscosmos"), successfully completed the tasks of targeted application during the launch and docking of the Progress MS-22 cargo spaceship with the Russian Segment of the International Space Station (ISS RS).
On February 09, 2023, at 09:15 Moscow time, the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket was launched from the 31st site of the Baikonur Cosmodrome with the Progress MS-22 transport cargo ship. On February 11, at 11:45 Moscow time, the Progress MS-22 docked to the Russian "Zvezda" service module. The launch of the spacecraft into a given orbit, its separation from the third stage of the launch vehicle, the deployment of antennas and solar panels, as well as its flight and docking with the ISS took place in normal mode. During the launch and flight of the Progress MS-22 spaceship, the relay channels of the Luch System were used according to the two-day approach scheme. After the release of the Progress MS-22 spaceship from the radio visibility zone of ground facilities, the transmission of telemetry data to the Flight Control Center (FCC) of the ISS RS, as well as the transmission of control commands to the ship was carried out by the Luch system.
Currently, according to the established work program, the MSRS "Luch" continues to provide the crew of the ISS RS with a broadband information transmission channel with the possibility of voice and video communication. All 3 spacecraft of the system are involved in the organization of data transmission: "Luch-5A", "Luch-5B", "Luch-5B", equipment installed on the ISS RS, and a ground-based relay support complex.
Progress MS-22 spaceship, the launch of which was the first launch of the Progress series spacecraft in 2023, delivered more than 2,500 kg of cargo, including fuel, water, nitrogen, as well as almost 1.5 tons of various materials and equipment for the crew of the 68th long-term expedition aboard the ISS RS. In honor of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, an image of the monument "Motherland Calls!" and drawings of children about Volgograd were applied to the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket, which put the Progress MS-22 into orbit.
The launch of the Progress MS-22 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on February 09, 2023. (Photo: Roscosmos)
The docking of the Progress MS-22 spaceship with the ISS on February 11, 2023. (Photo: Roscosmos)
