Two attempts to save the “Progress” have been unsuccessful – RBC

Launch vehicle” Soyuz-2.1A “transport cargo spacecraft” Progress M-27M “before launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome

Photo: Roscosmos

Two attempts to establish a stable relationship with the cargo ship “Progress M-27M”, the launch of which took place on April 28 did not lead to success, according to Interfax citing a source in the Mission Control Center.

«On board the” progress “has been transferred several teams, aimed at stabilizing the situation and reduce its rotation around its own axis. Now comes the analysis of the data. According to preliminary information, the problem has not been solved “, – told the agency.

The cargo vehicle” Progress M-27M “launched on Tuesday at 10:09 am from the Baikonur cosmodrome, the unit brought to orbit launch vehicle” Soyuz -2.1a. ” According to the plan, six hours after the start of the cargo ship should dock to the International Space Station.

However, the ship did not come into the proper orbit. As previously wrote RBC, it has exceeded a predetermined height of 30 kilometers. In addition, the ship began to spin and he stopped coming telemetry information.

Sources told the agency at the time that the two-stage rocket “Soyuz” worked normally, but the failure is likely to have occurred at the stage of the third stage.

 “As long as the ship is stabilized around its axis, no maneuvers are impossible with him, including rendezvous and docking with the ISS,” – the source added.

As one of the possible solutions include experts called teleoperator control mode. By the evening of April 28 experts have stopped attempts to contact the ship and planned two attempts due to the early morning April 29.

Truck “Progress” was supposed to deliver to the ISS crew required to operate the station fuel, oxygen, equipment for scientific experiments, parcels for cosmonauts and astronauts and gifts for members of the crew for the upcoming holidays, as well as food. However, NASA said that the non-standard access to the orbit of the cargo ship “Progress” will not affect the operation of the plant. The space agency assured that the lives of astronauts, who are now on board the station, there is no threat, they continue to work as usual, and the station has the necessary reserves.