Progress MS-20
Progress MS-20, Russian production No.450, identified by NASA as Progress 81P, is a Progress spaceflight launched by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station. It is the 173rd flight of a Progress spacecraft.
History
The Progress-MS is an uncrewed freighter based on the Progress-M featuring improved avionics. This improved variant first launched on 21 December 2015. It has the following improvements:- New external compartment that enables it to deploy satellites. Each compartment can hold up to four launch containers. First time installed on Progress MS-03.
- Enhanced redundancy thanks to the addition of a backup system of electrical motors for the docking and sealing mechanism.
- Improved Micrometeoroid protection with additional panels in the cargo compartment.
- Luch Russian relay satellites link capabilities enable telemetry and control even when not in direct view of ground radio stations.
- GNSS autonomous navigation enables real time determination of the status vector and orbital parameters dispensing with the need of ground station orbit determination.
- Real time relative navigation thanks to direct radio data exchange capabilities with the space station.
- New digital radio that enables enhanced TV camera view for the docking operations.
- Unified Command Telemetry System replaces previous Ukrainian Chezara Kvant-V as the Progress spacecraft's on-board radio and antenna/feeder system.
- Replacement of the Kurs A with Kurs NA digital system.
Launch
A Soyuz-2.1a launched Progress MS-20 to the International Space Station from Baikonur Site 31 on 3 June 2022 on a fast-track trajectory. Around 3 hours 20 minutes after the launch, Progress MS-20 automatically docked with Zvezda and continue its mission for 196 days, supporting Expedition 67 and Expedition 68 missions aboard the ISS.
Cargo
The MS-20 cargo capacity is as follows:- Dry cargo:
- Fuel:
- Oxygen:
- Water: