Op 9-1-2012 21:26, Andrew Glasbrenner schreef:
The payload is a scientific satellite to be deployed from the ISS/MKC to study the magnetic field in the auroral zone.
Interesting: "This experiment provides a comprehensive study of physical processes in atmospheric lightning discharges. Delivery of the microsatellite in its working orbit at an altitude of 500 km will be done with a THC "Progress M-13M" after the completion of the flight of the truck in the station. According to the developers of the term of active existence of the spacecraft, "Chibis-M" will be at least one year."
It looks like they plan on raising the Progress after undocking, then deploying the satellite. This sounds like a new capability for Progress, and similar to what I've seen discussed for Dragon by SPaceX.
73, Drew KO4MA
I thought in the past they did not raise the progress because they then would lose the abilety to safely reenter it and risk it becomming a risk to ISS as it decents.
maybe something changed, if so this would open up options to hook up an experient to the progress antennas and powerbus after the mission and raise it's orbit. the progress has very good solar cells and batteries.
73 Andre PE1RDW