Progress M-UM (Russian: Прогресс М-УМ), was a specially modified Progress M, Russian production No.303,[5] used to deliver the Prichal module to the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) of the International Space Station (ISS). It was launched on 24 November 2021 at 13:06:35 UTC. The spacecraft consisted of a Progress M propulsion compartment, with the pressurized cargo section of the spacecraft removed to accommodate Prichal. This was the 171st flight of a Progress spacecraft.[2][6] It was the final flight of a Progress M and the first launch of a Progress spacecraft on a Soyuz 2.1b.[7]

Progress M-UM
Progress M-UM docking to ISS
NamesПрогресс М-УМ
Mission typePrichal module delivery
OperatorRoscosmos
COSPAR ID2021-111A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.49499Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration28 days and 15 hours
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftProgress M-UM No. 303
Spacecraft typeProgress-M (modified with hardware from Progress MS)
ManufacturerEnergia
Launch mass8,180 kg (18,030 lb)
Payload mass5,350 kg (11,790 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date24 November 2021, 13:06:35 (24 November 2021, 13:06:35) UTC[1][2][3][4]
RocketSoyuz 2.1b
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
ContractorProgress Rocket Space Centre
End of mission
DisposalDeorbited
Decay date23 December 2021, 04:30:54 UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.65°
Docking with ISS
Docking portNauka nadir
Docking date26 November 2021, 15:19 UTC
Undocking date22 December 2021, 23:03 UTC
Time docked26 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes (delivery craft)
Payload
  •    Prichal: 4,650 kg (10,250 lb)
  •    Cargo: 584.1 kg (1,288 lb)

Diagram of Progress M-UM spacecraft
Progress ISS Resupply
External image
image icon Prichal module / Progress M-UM launch mission logo

Development

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On 15 January 2011, RKK Energia announced that its Scientific and Technical Council (NTS) had reviewed and approved the preliminary design of the Node Module and associated hardware, including a special version of the Progress cargo ship designated the Progress M-UM spacecraft module, intended for the delivery of the Node Module to the station. The space payload section for the Progress M-UM was dubbed KGCh. The Soyuz-2 launch vehicle was adapted for the launch of the Progress M-UM spacecraft module, originally envisioned to take place in 2012, then 2019.[8] It was eventually signed for as completed in 2014 and kept in storage until processing and attachment with Prichal was started for launch in 2021. It is attached to the Prichal module by means of a newly developed transition compartment.

The Prichal module was the second addition to the ROS in 2021. Earlier modules were delivered and added in a similar manner. Progress M-UM is similar in design to Progress DC-1 that delivered Pirs in 2001 and Progress M-MIM2 that delivered Poisk in 2009, but with navigational systems and avionics hardware taken from the Progress MS variant.

Launch

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A Soyuz-2.1b launched Progress M-UM to the International Space Station from Baikonur Site 31/6 on 24 November 2021, at 13:06:40 UTC for delivery of the Prichal module.[1][2][4] Due to the larger diameter of the Prichal module, the Progress M-UM was launched in a 4.1 m (13 ft) wide ST-type fairing.

Docking

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Two days after launch, Progress M-UM automatically docked Prichal to the re-configured nadir (or Earth-facing) port of the Nauka module after removal of the module's nadir docking adapter by Progress MS-17. Progress M-UM, was later undocked and deorbited after 28 days and 15 hours in space.

Expansion of Russian Orbital Segment

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The ISS flight manifest drafted by Roscosmos at the end of summer 2020 set the launch of the Prichal module for 6 September 2021, with the docking to Nauka's nadir port two days later.[2] However, on 1 December 2020, the launch of Prichal slipped to three and four months after the Nauka. The planned launch date was on 24 November 2021.[1]

One port on Prichal is equipped with an active hybrid docking port, which enables docking with the Nauka module. The remaining five ports are passive hybrids, enabling docking of Soyuz and Progress vehicles, as well as heavier modules and future spacecraft with modified docking systems. Eight spacewalks will follow in 2022 to complete the integration of the Nauka and Prichal modules into the Russian Orbital Segment.[1]

Undocking

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The Progress M-UM propulsion section remained docked at the station for 26 days. The propulsion section then undocked, revealing Prichal's nadir docking port for future Russian spacecraft.

Atmospheric entry

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The propulsion section re-entered the atmosphere of Earth for destruction over the South Pacific Ocean, on 23 December 2021, at 04:30:54.[6]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Zak, Anatoly (15 January 2011). "Prichal Node Module, UM". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Zak, Anatoly (10 October 2020). "Planned Russian space missions in 2021". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Status - Progress M-UM Prichal". NextSpaceflight. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Soyuz-2.1b - Progress M-UM Prichal - Baikonur - 24 November 2021 (13:06 UTC)". forum.nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter (1 December 2015). "UM (Prichal, NM, Progress-M-UM)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Progress M-UM Pritchal". 9 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021. Last flight of Progress-M.
  8. ^ "Prichal Node Module to launch in 2019". russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.