The Multifunctional Space Relay System (MSSR) "Luch" successfully completed the target tasks during the launch and docking of the Soyuz MS-20 manned spacecraft with the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS RS), and also continues to provide a communication channel during the crew's stay on the ISS.
On December 8, 2021, at 10:38 Moscow time, a successful launch of the "Soyuz-2.1a" carrier rocket with the "Soyuz MS-20" manned "tourist" spacecraft was carried out from the Baikonur cosmodrome. At 16:41 Moscow time, the crew consisting of Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, as well as space flight participants from Japan Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano boarded the ISS.
After the "Soyuz MS-20" Manned Transport Vehicle (MTV) left the radio visibility zone of ground communications (11th minute of flight), the transmission of telemetry information to the ISS Flight Control Center (FCC) and the issuance of control commands on ship board was carried out through the means of ground and space segments of the MSRS "Luch" (operator - "Gonets Satellite System" JSC, part of the State Corporation "Roscosmos").
During the crew's stay on the ISS, the “Luch” system performs a complex task of providing the crew of the ISS RS with a broadband information transmission channel with the possibility of voice and video communication, as well as data transmission in accordance with the established work program.
All 3 spacecrafts are involved in the organization of a broadband channel with the ISS RS: “Luch-5A”, “Luch-5B”, “Luch-5V”, onboard equipment installed on the ISS RS and means of a ground-based relay support complex.
The use of the Russian “Luch” relay system makes it possible to organize the exchange of information between the ISS RS and the FCC without involving the American TDRSS relay system.
The flight of the 20th "tourist" mission takes place as a part of the main ISS-66 expedition. The planned duration of the flight of the crew with tourists is 12 days.
The crew of the Soyuz MS-20 "tourist" ship (Photo: Roscosmos)
Soyuz MS-20 launch (Photo: Roscosmos)
Soyuz MS-20 manned spacecraft (Photo: Roscosmos)
