 A Progress 7K-TG spacecraft | |
| Mission type | Salyut 6 resupply |
|---|---|
| Operator | OKB-1 |
| COSPAR ID | 1978-077A |
| SATCATno. | 10999 |
| Mission duration | 16 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Progress s/n 103 |
| Spacecraft type | Progress 7K-TG |
| Manufacturer | NPO Energia |
| Launch mass | 7020 kg |
| Dry mass | 6520 kg |
| Payload mass | 2500 kg |
| Dimensions | 7.48 m in length and 2.72 m in diameter |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 August 1978, 22:31:22 UTC |
| Rocket | Soyuz-U s/n Ye15000-138 |
| Launch site | Baikonur,Site 31/6 |
| Contractor | OKB-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Deorbited |
| Decay date | 23 August 1978, 17:30 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 195 km |
| Apogee altitude | 249 km |
| Inclination | 51.66° |
| Period | 88.7 minutes |
| Epoch | 7 August 1978 |
| Docking withSalyut 6 | |
| Docking port | Aft |
| Docking date | 9 August 1978, 23:59:30 UTC |
| Undocking date | 21 August 1978, 15:42:50 UTC |
| Time docked | 15.18 days |
| Cargo | |
| Mass | 2500 kg |
Progress 3 (Russian:Прогресс 3) was an unmannedProgress cargo spacecraft launched by theSoviet Union in 1978 to resupply theSalyut 6 space station. It used theProgress 7K-TG configuration, and was the third Progress mission to Salyut 6. It carried supplies for theEO-2 crew aboard Salyut 6, as well as equipment for conducting scientific research, and fuel for adjusting the station's orbit and performing manoeuvres.
Progress 3 was a Progress 7K-TG spacecraft. The third of forty three to be launched, it had theserial number 103.[1][2] The Progress 7K-TG spacecraft was the first generationProgress, derived from theSoyuz 7K-T and intended for unmanned logistics missions to space stations in support of theSalyut programme.[3] On some missions the spacecraft were also used to adjust the orbit of the space station.[4]
The Progress spacecraft had a dry mass of 6,520 kilograms (14,370 lb), which increased to around 7,020 kilograms (15,480 lb) when fully fuelled. It measured 7.48 metres (24.5 ft) in length, and 2.72 metres (8 ft 11 in) in diameter. Each spacecraft could accommodate up to 2,500 kilograms (5,500 lb) of payload, consisting of dry cargo and propellant. The spacecraft were powered by chemical batteries, and could operate in free flight for up to three days, remaining docked to the station for up to thirty.[3][4]
Progress 3 was launched at 22:31:22 UTC on 7 August 1978, atop aSoyuz-U 11A511U carrier rocket flying fromSite 31/6 at theBaikonur Cosmodrome in theKazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The rocket that launched it had theserial number Ye15000-138.[5] Following launch, Progress 3 was given the COSPAR designation 1978-077A, whilstNORAD assigned it theSatellite Catalog Number 10999.[6]
Following launch, Progress 3 began two days of free flight. It subsequently docked with the aft port of the Salyut 6 space station at 23:59:30 UTC on 9 August 1978.[3][7] At the time of its docking,Soyuz 29 was docked to the forward port of the station.
Progress 3 was the third of twelve Progress spacecraft used to supply the Salyut 6 space station between 1978 and 1981.[6] It delivered cargo to the station, including food, fur boots, and Kovalyonok's guitar. Whilst Progress 3 was docked, Salyut 6 was manned by theEO-2 crew, consisting ofcosmonautsVladimir Kovalyonok andAleksandr Ivanchenkov.[8]
On 9 August 1978, whilst docked to Salyut 6, Progress 3 was catalogued in alow Earth orbit with aperigee of 195 kilometres (121 mi) and anapogee of 249 kilometres (155 mi),inclined at 51.66° and with aperiod of 88.7 minutes.[9] Progress 3 undocked from Salyut 6 at 15:42:50 UTC on 21 August 1978. It remained in orbit until the late afternoon of 23 August 1978, when it was deorbited. The deorbit burn occurred at 16:45:00 UTC, with the spacecraft undergoing a destructivereentry at around 17:30 UTC.[9][7] Less than a few weeks after Progress 3 had been deorbited,Progress 4 was launched to replace it.[2]
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