ROSCOSMOS - Soyuz MS-14 / Skybot F-850 Mission patch.
August 22, 2019
Image above: The Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Image Credits: Roscosmos/NASA TV.
The Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft launched at 11:38 p.m. EDT (8:38 a.m. Aug. 22 Baikonur time) from Site 31 at the Cosmodrome on a Soyuz 2.1a booster, which has been used recently to launch uncrewed Russian Progress cargo resupply missions to the space station.
Soyuz MS-14 launch with Skybot F-850 on board
The Soyuz 2.1a booster, equipped with a new digital flight control system and upgraded engines, is replacing the Soyuz FG booster that has been used for decades to launch crews into space. The Soyuz spacecraft will have an upgraded motion control and navigation system, as well as a revamped descent control system.
Soyuz MS-14 to test new upgrades, ferry Skybot humanoid robot to ISS. Image Credit: Roscosmos
Instead of crew members, the Soyuz will carry 1,450 pounds of cargo to the Expedition 60 crew currently residing on the orbital outpost.
Skybot F-850 humanoid robot
The Soyuz will navigate to station for an automated docking on the space-facing Poisk module on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 1:30 a.m. After a two-week stay at the station, the Soyuz will be commanded to undock from the station on Friday, Sept. 6, at 2:13 p.m. EDT.
NASA TV coverage of the docking, and undocking activities is as follows:
Saturday, Aug. 24:
12:45 a.m. – Docking coverage (docking scheduled for 1:30 a.m.) EDT
Friday, Sept. 6:
1:45 p.m. – Undocking coverage (undocking scheduled for 2:13 p.m.) EDT
Related links:
Expedition 60: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition60/index.html
NASA TV: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/#public and https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/index.html
International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Images (mentioned), Videos, Text, Credits: NASA/Mark Garcia/Roscosmos/SciNews.
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