Progress MS-16

Progress MS-16

Progress MS-16 approaches the ISS
Names	Прогресс МC-16 Progress 77P
Mission type	ISSresupply
Operator	Roscosmos
COSPAR ID	2021-011A
SATCATno.	47618
Website	https://www.roscosmos.ru/
Mission duration	161 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Progress MS-16
Spacecraft type	Progress MS
Manufacturer	RSC Energia
Launch mass	7000 kg
Payload mass	2460.5 kg
Start of mission
Launch date	15 February 2021, 04:45:06UTC
Rocket	Soyuz-2.1a
Launch site	Baikonur,Site 31
Contractor	Progress Rocket Space Centre
End of mission
Disposal	Deorbited
Decay date	26 July 2021, 14:51 UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Inclination	51.65°
Docking withISS
Docking port	ZvezdanadirbyPirsnadir
Docking date	17 February 2021, 06:27 UTC
Undocking date	26 July 2021, 10:55 UTC
Time docked	159 days
Cargo
Mass	2460.5 kg
Pressurised	1400 kg
Fuel	600 kg
Gaseous	40.5 kg
Water	420 kg
Progress ISS Resupply

Progress MS-16(Russian:Прогресс МC-16), Russian production No. 445, identified byNASAasProgress 77P,was aProgressspaceflight operated byRoscosmosto resupply theInternational Space Station(ISS). This was the 168th flight of a Progress spacecraft.

History

TheProgress-MSis an uncrewed freighter based on theProgress-Mfeaturing 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 onProgress MS-03.
• Enhanced redundancy thanks to the addition of a backup system of electrical motors for the docking and sealing mechanism.
• ImprovedMicrometeoroid(MMOD) protection with additional panels in the cargo compartment.
• LuchRussianrelay satelliteslink capabilities enable telemetry and control even when not in direct view of ground radio stations.
• GNSSautonomous 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.
• TheUkrainianChezara Kvant-V on board radio system and antenna/feeder system has been replaced with aUnified Command Telemetry System (UCTS).
• Replacement of theKurs AwithKurs NAdigital system.

Launch

ASoyuz-2.1alaunched Progress MS-16 to the International Space Station fromBaikonur Cosmodrome Site 31on 15 February 2021 following a two-day, 34-orbit rendezvous profile.Progress MS-16 was docked on 17 February 2021, 06:26:47 UTC, using manual docking system operated byExpedition 64commanderSergey Ryzhikovto thePirsmodule of theISS,where it remained until 26 July 2021, 10:55 UTC.

Cargo

On 4 February 2021, Roscosmos said that Progress MS-16 had been installed back into its processing stand inside the assembly building at Site 254 for final pre-launch operations and loading of fresh food items in its cargo bay. The ship's cargo included 600 kg of propellant for refueling, 420 kg of drinking water in the Rodnik system, 40.5 kg of pressurized gases with extra nitrogen supplies and 1,400 kg of various equipment and supplies, including the repair kit with reinforced glue patches for temporary sealing of the Transfer Chamber, PrK, in theZvezda Service Module(SM).

The Progress MS-16 spacecraft was loaded with 2,460.5 kg (5,424 lb) of cargo, with 1,400 kg (3,100 lb) of this being dry cargo.

• Dry cargo:1,400 kg (3,100 lb)
• Propellant:600 kg (1,300 lb)
• Pressurized Gases:40.5 kg (89 lb)
• Drinking Water:420 kg (930 lb)

Undocking and decay

The Progress MS-16 was expected to remain docked at the station until 23 July 2021, 12:45 UTC, when it would depart with thePirsmoduledocked to it for destructive reentry four hours later over theSouth Pacific Ocean,which would also mark the first module to be decommissioned from use aboard the International Space Station. TheNaukamodule,which would replacePirsafter its fiery reentry and subsequent destruction, was launched on 21 July 2021 at 14:58:25 UTC, for docking on 29 July 2021, at 13:25 UTC. However, due to post-launch telemetry and propulsion issues withNauka,the undocking of Progress MS-16 was delayed to 26 July 2021, at 10:55 UTC. The spacecraft, together with thePirsmodule, was successfully deorbited on the same day at 14:51 UTC.

Gallery

• 
  Progress MS-16 docked to the ISS. The one who undocked Pirs.
• 
  Progress MS-16 docked to the ISS before the removal of Pirs
• 
  ISS-65 Pirs docking compartment separates from the Space Station
• ISS-65 Pirs docking compartment separates from the Space Station

See also

• Uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station