Progress M-UM (), was a specially modified Progress M, Russian production No.303, used to deliver the ''Prichal'' module to the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) of the

International Space Station The International Space Station (ISS) is a large space station that was Assembly of the International Space Station, assembled and is maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies and their contractors: NASA (United ...

(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. It was the final flight of a Progress M and the first launch of a Progress spacecraft on a Soyuz 2.1b.

Development

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. 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

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. Due to the larger diameter of the ''Prichal'' module, the Progress M-UM was launched in a wide ST-type fairing.

Docking

Two days after launch, Progress M-UM automatically docked ''Prichal'' to the re-configured

nadir The nadir is the direction pointing directly ''below'' a particular location; that is, it is one of two vertical directions at a specified location, orthogonal to a horizontal flat surface. The direction opposite of the nadir is the zenith. Et ...

(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

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. 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. 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.

Undocking

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

The propulsion section re-entered the

atmosphere of Earth The atmosphere of Earth is composed of a layer of gas mixture that surrounds the Earth's planetary surface (both lands and oceans), known collectively as air, with variable quantities of suspended aerosols and particulates (which create weather ...

for destruction over the South Pacific Ocean, on 23 December 2021, at 04:30:54.

Gallery

1637984492234 Progress MS 17 undocking and Nauka nadir temporary docking adapter Removal 02.jpg, Progress MS-17 removing Nauka's temporary docking adapter in preparation for the arrival of Progress M-UM Progress M-UM Approach.jpg, Progress M-UM approaching the ISS The Prichal docking module above Africa (cropped).jpg, Progress M-UM docked to the ISS Progress M-UM propulsion section undocking from ISS after delivering the Prichal to ISS 14.jpg, Progress M-UM propulsion section separating from Prichal Prichal during VKD-51 spacewalk.jpg, Prichal in its final location

References

Russian Launch Manifest dated 23 July 2014
{{Orbital launches in 2021 Progress (spacecraft) missions 2021 in Russia Supply vehicles for the International Space Station Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-2 rockets Spacecraft launched in 2021 Spacecraft which reentered in 2021