The Russian spacecraft Progress MS-18 has detached from the International Space Station (ISS), and its unburned debris fell into the Pacific Ocean after re-entering the atmosphere.
The cargo spacecraft Progress MS-18 separated from the Zvezda module of the ISS at 11:03 AM Moscow time (3:03 PM Hanoi time) on June 1. At 2:11 PM Moscow time (6:11 PM Hanoi time), its propulsion system was activated. After Progress MS-18 generated the necessary thrust, it exited orbit and burned up in the atmosphere.
Prior to this, approximately 1.3 tons of waste and used equipment were transferred from the ISS aboard the Progress MS-18.
The cargo spacecraft Progress MS-18 has been on the ISS since October 30, 2021. The engines of Progress MS-18 were used for nine orbital adjustments of the ISS.
The Roscosmos State Corporation stated in a release: “The Progress MS-18 has exited orbit and is no longer in existence. Unburned debris fell at 2:51 PM Moscow time (6:51 PM Hanoi time) into the ‘spacecraft graveyard’ in a maritime exclusion zone in the South Pacific.”
The Progress MS-20 spacecraft, scheduled for launch and docking on June 3, will replace the recently decommissioned vessel.
The cargo spacecraft Progress MS-18 has been stationed at the ISS since October 30, 2021. Its engines were used for nine orbital adjustments of the ISS, three of which were to avoid space debris.
The last time Progress MS-18 adjusted the station’s orbit was on May 14, raising it by nearly 2 kilometers to allow the next cargo vessel to dock with the ISS.
In addition to transporting standard cargo, the spacecraft also carried tools for astronauts to work in space.
