Fwd: Progress M-21M taken to the launch pad

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From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: November 24, 2013 10:30:30 AM CST
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: Progress M-21M taken to the launch pad

Lots of good photos of Russian processing.

Gary

 

 

 

 

Baikonur: An overall assembly ILV "Soyuz-U" with THC "Progress M-21M"

22.11.2013 18:32 ::

 

At Baikonur continues preparations for the launch of a space rocket (RKN) "Soyuz-U" to transport cargo vehicle (THC) "Progress M-21M".

November 22, assembly and testing site 31 specialists of the Baikonur space industry Russia held a general assembly operations on a space rocket.

In accordance with the work schedule made docking space truck (under the fairing) with the third stage of the launch vehicle (LV), after which the resulting "assembly" is docked to the package of the first and second stage.

Start ILV "Soyuz-U" with THC "Progress M-21M" is scheduled for September 26 

Roscosmos press service

 

 

The State Commission has decided to roll out the ILV "Soyuz-U" on the launch pad

22.11.2013 18:38 ::

 

September 22 in assembly and testing site 254 Baikonur cosmodrome a meeting of the State Commission for conducting flight tests of manned space systems. The meeting discussed the results of the tests at the processing facility missiles (ILV) "Soyuz-U" to transport cargo vehicle (THC) "Progress M-21M".

After hearing reports of supervisors, the State Commission decided RKN readiness to export to the launch pad.

Starting work on transportation ILV with THC of assembly and test facility to the launch pad platform 31 is scheduled for 05.30 MSK 23 November 2013

Roscosmos press service

 

 

 

ILV "Soyuz-U" with THC "Progress M-21M" taken out to the launch pad

23.11.2013 16:42 ::

 

At Baikonur continues preparations for the launch of a space rocket (RKN) "Soyuz-U" to transport cargo vehicle (THC) "Progress M-21M".

November 23 in accordance with the schedule of prelaunch specialists of the space industry Russia performed the operation for removal of RKN to the launch pad.

Space rocket installed on the launch pad. Operations carried out on schedule the first launch day.

Start ILV "Soyuz-U" with THC "Progress M-21M" is scheduled for November 26, 2013

Roscosmos press service

 

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November 22, 2013
LV Soyuz general integration is completed

At Baikonur launch site the preparations continue for the launch of Progress M-21M cargo vehicle under the International Space Station program.

Orbital module of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, containing Progress M-21M spacecraft was integrated with the Soyuz-U launch vehicle in the processing facility.

 

 

November 22, 2013
Technical management meeting and Government Commission meeting were convened

At Baikonur launch site the preparations continue for the launch of Progress M-21M cargo vehicle under the International Space Station program.

Technical management meeting and Government Commission meeting were convened. A decision is made to roll out Soyuz-U launch vehicle with Progress M-21M transport vehicle to the launch pad.

 

 

Soyuz launch vehicle rollout to the launch pad
November 23, 2013

At Baikonur launch site the preparations continue for the launch of Progress M-21M cargo vehicle under the International Space Station program.
Soyuz launch vehicle was rolled out from the integration building to the launch pad.
Soyuz launch vehicle with Progress M-20M transport vehicle is installed on the launch pad.
L-2 days activities have been started.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 23, 2013
Soyuz launch vehicle rollout to the launch pad

At Baikonur launch site the preparations continue for the launch of Progress M-21M cargo vehicle under the International Space Station program.

Soyuz launch vehicle was rolled out from the integration building to the launch pad.
Soyuz launch vehicle with Progress M-20M transport vehicle is installed on the launch pad.
L-2 days activities have been started.

 

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Soyuz mounted atop launch pad to resupply station

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: November 23, 2013

Packed with 2.9 tons of cargo, a Progress resupply craft will launch Monday from Kazakhstan and take a deliberate four-day route to the International Space Station to test out upgraded rendezvous systems for use by future Russian vehicles.

The cargo ship's Soyuz rocket rolled out to its launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at sunrise on Saturday. By mid-morning, the Soyuz launcher and Progress spacecraft were standing vertical on the pad.

Liftoff is set for 2053:06 GMT (3:53:06 p.m. EST; 2:53:06 a.m. Baikonur time). Two minutes later, the Soyuz will empty and jettison its four strap-on boosters. The Soyuz rocket's core engine and upper stage will inject the Progress spacecraft into a preliminary orbit nine minutes after launch.

On-board commands will unfurl the spaceship's two power-generating solar arrays and deploy its communications and navigation antennas moments after separating from the Soyuz upper stage.

The cargo freighter is loaded with 1,763 pounds of propellant, 48 pounds of oxygen, 57 pounds of air, 925 pounds of water and 3,119 pounds of spare parts, experiment hardware and holiday gifts for the space station's six-person crew.

The spacecraft is known as Progress M-21M in Russia's naming system. It marks the 53rd Progress launch to the International Space Station since 2000, earning the mission the name Progress 53P in the space station program.

Most Progress missions reach the station in either six hours or two days, depending on the type of rendezvous profile selected by Russian engineers. But Progress M-21M will not dock until Friday.

On Wednesday, the Progress will fly within one mile of the space station to test new gear on the spacecraft's automated Kurs rendezvous system planned to be added to upgraded Soyuz and Progress vehicles.

After the flyby, the Progress will set up for docking with the space station's Zvezda service module at 2228:14 GMT (5:28:14 p.m. EST) Friday, Nov. 29.

Credit: Energia

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Energia

Credit: Energia

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Energia

 

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Energia

Credit: Energia

Credit: Energia

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Roscosmos

Credit: Energia

Credit: Energia

Credit: Roscosmos

 

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