On Monday Progress M-22M cargo vehicle docked to the ISS will be sent to free flight lasting up to April 18 during which Radar – Progress scientific experiment will be carried out on its board, Mission Control Cenrtre representative reports.
Progress M-22M separation from the station is scheduled for 17.58 Moscow time, April 7.
The vehicle will perform controlled flight up to April 18 during which Radar-Progress scientific experiment will be carried out on its board.
As expected the vehicle will be deorbited and sank in the Pacific Ocean at 19.43 Moscow time, April 18, – the spokesman stated.
Radar-Progress experiment will be provided by the Institute Of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, RSC Energia and TsNIIMash Mission Control Centre.
During the experiment it is planned to measure ionosphere’s density level, temperature and ion composition caused by vehicle thrusters operation depending on solar radiation direction. In the course of radar-progress experiment the following equipment will be used: Progress M-17M cargo vehicle propulsion system, VHF range radioequipment and radio monitoring ground-based facilities.
Image credit – Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
