February 28, 2001. Korolev, Moscow Region
Having completed a 2-day free flight in near-earth orbit and rendezvous
maneuvers, the Progress M-44 logistics vehicle was successfully docked
with the International Space Station (ISS) Orbital Complex.
The logistics vehicle was reported to be launched into orbit on February
26, 2001 in accordance with the Russia - undertaken commitments under
the ISS Assembly Program.
At 12 hours 49 minutes 47 seconds Moscow Time contact of an axial docking
port of the Russian Service Module Zvezda cleared by the Soyuz TM-31
manned vehicle (which has been staying on nadir port of the Functional
Cargo Block (FGB) Zarya since February 24, 2001) took place, while the
Orbital Complex was flying within ground coverage of the Russian ground
measurement stations.
The Progress M-44 logistics vehicle rendezvous with the Orbital Complex
was carried out in an automatic mode.
The logistics vehicle has delivered the cargo of more than 2.5 tons,
including about 730 kg of the propellant for refueling the Zvezda Module
United Propulsion System.
After unloading the Progress M-44 logistics vehicle and accommodating
the cargoes onboard the station the ISS crew will get down to the disassembly
of the logistics vehicle-housed rendezvous system apparatus with the
aim to further return it to Earth for reuse, as well as ensure loading
of the used materials and hardware into the vehicle.
The logistics vehicle rendezvous, berthing and docking were implemented
under control of the Lead Operational Control Team (LOCT) at the Mission
Control Center (MCC-M), Korolev, Moscow Region, as well as the ISS Prime
Crew.
During the Progress M-44/ISS Orbital Complex docking the following persons
were present at MCC-M: Yu.P. Semenov, Technical Manager of the Russian
Manned Space Programs, General Designer of RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev,
the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Yu.N. Koptev, General
Director of Rosaviakosmos; N.A. Anfimov, Director of Central Research
Institute for Machine building; state Duma deputies; RSC Energia experts;
NASA, ESA industry subcontractor representatives.
The ISS Orbital Complex of about 112 tons by mass is currently operating
with the following modules included: FGB Zarya - the US Unity Module
- the Russian Service Module Zvezda - the Soyuz TM-31 manned vehicle
- the US Laboratory Module Destiny - the Progress M-44 logistics vehicle.
The Complex onboard systems are operating in a design mode.
The Complex flight is commanded from MCC-M (Korolev, Moscow region)
in cooperation with the American Mission Control Center (MCC-H) based
in Houston, USA.
As the LOCT experts report, the Orbital Complex is flying around near-earth
orbit having the following parameters: maximum altitude of 400.9 km;
minimum altitude of 374.1 km; orbital period is 92.0 min.
