Successful Progress launch paves the way for further scientific utilisation of the ISS by Europe

Successful Progress launch paves the way for further scientific utilisation
of the ISS by Europe

29 January 2004

ESA INFO 02-2004.
Preparing for the arrival of the first European Automated Transfer Vehicle.
Europe's scientific utilisation of the International Space Station (ISS)
took an important step forward with the launch of an unmanned Russian
Progress cargo spacecraft today at 12:58 Central European Time (16:58 local
time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Progress supply vehicle will take two days to reach the International
Space Station, carrying experiment hardware for the Delta mission to be
carried out by ESA's Dutch astronaut André Kuipers in April, Matroshka, a
European experiment facility for measuring radiation levels to which
astronauts are exposed in space, and hardware to allow the European
Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) to dock with the Station.
Launched by a Soyuz rocket on mission 13P, the Progress spacecraft with the
serial number M1-11 is due to dock with the International Space Station on
31 January at 14:19 Central European Time. The Progress-type spacecraft are
currently serving as supply vehicles for the International Space Station and
are also uploading European hardware and equipment in advance of European
missions to be carried out on the International Space Station.



Among other cargo, Progress is transporting scientific equipment which will
be used during the upcoming Delta mission (Dutch Expedition for Life
science, Technology and Atmospheric research). André Kuipers, who on 19
April flies out to the ISS on a 10-day mission, will be employing this
equipment to carry out a programme of scientific and educational activities.
The Delta experiments on board Progress a


ARGES: This experiment will study high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps,
which are used in all kinds of outdoor illuminations, making use of the
absence of gravity to get new insights into how these lamps work and help
develop more efficient lamps in future.
HEAT: This experiment will be testing heat transfer properties in a section
of a heat pipe with the aim of developing more efficient heat distribution
systems for satellites and space vehicles in future.
PROMISS-3: The experiment aims to analyse the growth of protein crystals in
weightlessness, which cannot be observed to the same extent and with the
same homogeneity on the ground.
SUIT: The aims of this technology demonstration are to improve the
orientation capabilities of astronauts and reduce space sickness. The
experiment involves the astronaut wearing a special vest containing
vibrating elements to assist his awareness of his position.
ETD: This is a human physiology experiment which uses an eye-tracking device
to determine eye movements in weightlessness and compare how they differ
from eye movements on Earth and hence determine the effect the body's
balance system has on eye movements. This has an important bearing on
balance disorders on the ground as well as in space.
SAMPLE: This is a study into the composition and physiology of microbe
species at different points around the ISS and also from the astronauts. The
experiment will take samples from the chosen locations and further analyse
how the different microbes found adapt to weightlessness.
MOT: The aim of MOT is to calibrate accelerometers to be used to measure
acceleration in three directions. Once calibrated the accelerometers will be
incorporated into radio sensitive abdominal implants in mice for measuring
acceleration, heart rate and body temperature.
Specialised containers called "biokits" are also part of the Progress cargo.
They will be used to return the samples from the biological experiments
taking place on the Delta mission.

Also on board Progress is a Russian spectrum analyser, not part of the Delta
mission, to perform a dedicated in-orbit checkout on the European Global
Transmission Services (GTS) experiment on the ISS. It will analyse the
quality of the radio frequency cables of the GTS experiment, which might be
the cause of the weaker than expected transmission signals received on the
ground so far.


Another experiment on board Progress in addition to the Delta mission is the
Matroshka experimental facility, which will be placed on the outside of the
Russian Zvezda module. It will measure radiation levels experienced by
astronauts in space. The facility has a human shape, consisting of a head
and torso. It is made of natural bone and a synthetic material similar to
human tissue. Sensors measuring radiation will be placed at various key
external and internal positions on the model such as the areas of the
stomach, lungs, kidney, colon and eyes. The facility will remain outside the
ISS for a year. Matroshka is an ESA payload under the project leadership of
DLR, the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne.

This flight is also carrying elements of the rendezvous and docking system
of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the European unmanned ISS supply
spacecraft, similar in function - but not in size - to the Russian Progress.
It will carry up to three times the cargo of the Progress vehicles, i.e. up
to 7500kg.

The ATV-related equipment flown to the ISS consists of the following items:


the videometer target assembly,
laser retroreflectors,
a container for old laser retroreflectors,
two communication antennas,
several cables.



This equipment from Russia and from ESA is required for the rendezvous
between the first ATV, called Jules Verne, and the ISS early next year. The
videometer, which will be located on the ATV spacecraft, will enable
rendezvous operations in orbit to be carried out with a degree of precision
never yet attained. This instrument will analyse the laser light emitted by
the ATV and reflected back to it by the retroreflectors. These
retroreflectors make up part of the videometer target assembly, serving as
targets on the docking side of the service module. Two sets of different
patterns of retroreflectors will enable the ATV - from a distance of 300m
onwards - to know its distance from and angular orientation to the ISS
precisely.
The two antennas are needed for voice and data communications between the
Russian Zvezda Module and the ATV. This sophisticated antenna system made in
Russia will require six more, to be flown out later by other Progress ships.

All these ATV-related elements will be installed on the rear side of the
Zvezda module during extravehicular activities scheduled for this July. Some
old ATV retroreflectors, installed on Zvezda before its launch in 1998, will
be brought back to Earth for material analysis.

The remaining experiment equipment for the Delta mission will be launched to
the ISS together with André Kuipers in the manned Soyuz TMA-4. This is
scheduled for launch from Baikonur as mission 8S on 19 April. Kuipers is
currently training for the mission at Star City near Moscow.


For further information, please contact:

Franco Bonacina
ESA Media Relations Office
Paris (France)
Tel: +33 (0) 1 5369 7155
Fax: +33 (0) 1 5369 7690

or

Dieter Isakeit
Erasmus User Centre and Communication Office
Directorate of Human Spaceflight
Noordwijk (the Netherlands)
Tel: +31 (0) 71 565 5451
Tel: +31 (0) 71 565 8008
E-mail:



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Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info