Baikonur launches Progress cargo spacecraftApril 20, 2012 - 19:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Progress M-15M cargo spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur launching site in Kazakhstan on Friday, April 20 for the International Space Station (ISS), a spokesman for the Russian mission control center said, according to RIA Novosti. “The launch took place at the scheduled time,” the spokesman said, adding that the cargo spacecraft separated from the carrier rocket Soyuz-U at 4:59 p.m. Moscow time [12:59 GMT] and will dock with the ISS on April 22 at 6:41 p.m. Moscow time [14:41 GMT]. Its predecessor, the Progress M-14M, undocked from the ISS on April 19 to conduct a nine-day Radar-Progress experiment to define the physical characteristics of the ionosphere environment around the spacecraft caused by the operations of its liquid propellant engines. After it completes its mission, Progress M-14M will be de-orbited and sunk in a non-navigational area in the Pacific Ocean on April 28. The current Progress is delivering fresh fruit and vegetables and canned fish and water for the ISS crew, said Alexander Agureyev, head of the food department of the Medical and Biological Problems in the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is also carrying books, presents, fuel, medical and research equipment, bed covers, and hygienic items. With a record of more than 130 launches since 1972 and only one failure, Progress-family freighters remain the backbone of the Russian space cargo fleet. In addition to their main mission as cargo spacecraft, they are used to adjust the ISS's orbit and conduct scientific experiments. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |