Sfera (TEKh-44) was a small passive satellite deployed during a spacewalk from the ISS in August 2012. [1]
Also called the Vektor-T calibration sphere, the satellite enables operators to track its movement, generate velocity and acceleration estimates to determine to what extent atmosphere is slowing down the sphere as it travels in space. Drag (velocity deceleration) estimates are used to determine localized atmospheric density. [2]
TEKh-44 is a shiny sphere 53 cm (20.8 inches) across weighing 14 kg (~31 pounds). [3] "Sfera" is Russian for sphere.
It re-entered the atmosphere in late November 2012. [4]
The second satellite, Sfera-53 2 (TS-530-Zerkalo), was launched on 14 June 2017 09:20 UTC, [5] inside the Progress MS-06 cargo spacecraft on the Soyuz 2.1a carrier rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31/6. [1] It was deployed on 17 August 2017 15:29 UTC.[ citation needed ]
The Progress is a Russian expendable cargo spacecraft. Its purpose is to deliver the supplies needed to sustain a human presence in orbit. While it does not carry a crew, it can be boarded by astronauts when docked to a space station, hence it is classified as crewed by its manufacturer. Progress is derived from the crewed Soyuz spacecraft and launches on the same launch vehicle, a Soyuz rocket.
Soyuz 2 is a modernized expendable medium-lift launch vehicle and the seventh major version of the Soyuz rocket family. It includes key enhancements over its predecessors including improved engines along with digital flight control and telemetry systems, enabling launches from fixed platforms and the use of large payload fairings.
Progress MS-01, identified by NASA as Progress 62P was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) in 2015. It was launched on 21 December 2015, to deliver cargo to the ISS. Progress MS-01 is the first vehicle in the Progress-MS series.
Progress MS-02, identified by NASA as Progress 63P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016. It was launched to deliver cargo to the ISS.
Progress MS-03, identified by NASA as Progress 64P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). It was the first Progress MS to have an external compartment for releasing satellites.
Progress MS-05, identified by NASA as Progress 66P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
Progress MS-06, identified by NASA as Progress 67P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). It was launched on 14 June 2017.
Progress MS-07, identified by NASA as Progress 68P, was a Progress spaceflight, operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
Progress MS-08, identified by NASA as Progress 69P, was a Progress spaceflight, operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
Progress MS-09, identified by NASA as Progress 70P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 161st flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-10, identified by NASA as Progress 71P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 162nd flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-11, identified by NASA as Progress 72P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 163rd flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-12, Russian production No.442, identified by NASA as Progress 73P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 164th flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-14, Russian production No.448, identified by NASA as Progress 75P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 166th flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-15, Russian production No. 444, identified by NASA as Progress 76P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 167th flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-17, Russian production No. 446, identified by NASA as Progress 78P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 169th flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress MS-18, Russian production No. 447, identified by NASA as Progress 79P, was a Progress spaceflight operated by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). This was the 170th flight of a Progress spacecraft.
Progress M-UM, was a specially modified Progress M 11F615A55, Russian production No.303, developed by Roscosmos to deliver the Prichal module to the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) of the International Space Station (ISS). It was launched on 24 November 2021 at 13:06:35 UTC, along with a Progress-M propulsion compartment and has the pressurized cargo module 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.
Progress MS-21, Russian production No.451, identified by NASA as Progress 82P, was a Progress spaceflight launched by Roscosmos to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). It was the 174th flight of a Progress spacecraft.