Proxima Mission Director Roland Luettgens sent us this update on launch and docking:
Launch preparations went as planned.
The launch of Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft occurred at 20:20 GMT with separation of the launch vehicle at 20:29 GMT. The ascent was normal. The Motion Control System was tested and the docking probe was extended. All Soyuz systems are functioning.
The rendezvous manoeuvres were completed without problem. The Soyuz TV system required for docking was tested as well and with normal results too.
The preparation for the docking on Saturday is ongoing. The automated rendezvous sequence will start at 19:39 GMT on Saturday 19 November evening.
Soyuz MS-03 docking on MRM1 Nadir
The docking itself will be on the so-called MRM1 Nadir port of the International Space Station and will occur at around 22:00 GMT.
A docking with the International Space Station requires that the Soyuz is in sunlight, and sunrise will occur when the Soyuz is about 47 km from the International Space Station at 20:59 GMT. The sunlight is important for a deceptively simple reason: the astronauts need to see the spacecraft arriving.
Zvezda Service Module with crew viewing capabilities
The automated docking manoeuvre can be seen by the three astronauts inside the Space Station. They can look out of the windows of the Russian Zvezda Service Module to see the Soyuz arriving.
The final approach will start at a distance of 185 m from the Station and will lead to a docking at the docking port on the bottom of the ISS. Five minutes before docking the sun will disappear behind Earth, this is calculated so the reflectors and sensors on the spaceraft do not get interference from sunlight.
The Station and Soyuz will dock over the West coast of Africa on a trajectory from Africa over South Europe to Russia
Projected docking location with trajectory of International Space Station
The day after docking will be a crew rest-day so the astronauts can get settled into the International Space Station and get ready to start working on Monday.
Thomas will start with a busy day on Monday, with almost seven hours of work time scheduled for him.
It will be our first day of the Proxima Mission and we are excited to start working with Thomas…
Discussion: 5 comments
Thanks a lot for the detailed information. Could you please explain why “A docking with the International Space Station requires that the Soyuz is in sunlight”?
Merci de nous informer du bon accostage à l’ISS. Comme les astronautes présents à bord, j’aimerais pouvoir voir ces images incroyables. Je pense fort à l’équipage qui doit être éprouvé par ce voyage de 2 jours et leur souhaite une connection parfaite
Pour info j’ai pu suivre le décollage en direct sur nasa TV et ils montreront l’accostage également: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public
En fait pas la peine d’aller sur le site de la nasa, il y a aussi bien sûr le site de l’esa pour voir en direct les différentes phases du vol même en français sur https://proxima.cnes.fr/fr/AllezThomas
diis;b&pn:Htya, I’m especially joyful I have set up this information. Today bloggers distribute only regarding gossips and internet and this is especially frustrating. A good place with attractive gratify, this is what I penury. Thankfulness for keeping this website, I’ll ensue visiting it. Solve you achieve newsletters? Can not find it.