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 September 15, 2001. Baikonur Cosmodrome.At 03:35 Moscow time specialized logistics vehicle-module 
                      (LVM) Progress M-CO1 was launched to a near-earth orbit 
                      by Soyuz-с launch vehicle in accordance with the International 
                      Space Station (ISS) assembly program.The launch objective is to deliver the docking compartment-module 
                      Pirs to the Space Station for outfitting of the Russian 
                      Segment (RS). The Docking Compartment #1 (DC1) was developed 
                      and manufactured at S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, ISS RS prime 
                      developer in Russia, and is intended to provide a complementary 
                      docking port for Soyuz- and Progress-type manned and logistics 
                      vehicles, and support cosmonauts and astronauts egress into 
                      space from the Russian Segment of the Space Station.
 A newly developed docking compartment with two egress hatches 
                      and a new structural element, i.e. a transfer spacer, are 
                      installed on the vehicle-module as opposed to Progress M 
                      logistics vehicle in place of the cargo compartment and 
                      refueling components compartment.
 To enable docking to the nadir port of the Russian Service 
                      Module Zvezda, LVM has been outfitted with a hybrid docking 
                      assembly, the systems have been modified due to a change 
                      of the vehicle function and a complement of its compartments, 
                      radio protection mechanisms and shields of the Kurs system 
                      antennas have been upgraded. A separable joint has been 
                      added between the docking mechanism and the transfer spacer.
 LVM carries more than 870 kg of propellant and about 800 
                      kg of various cargoes, among which is CO1 and vehicle-module 
                      flight equipment launched in a transport position; science 
                      and utilization hardware, including hardware for implementation 
                      of the Andromeda Project Experiment program, sanitary-hygienic 
                      and water support systems, individual protection gear, crew 
                      health care equipment, flight-data files, maintenance and 
                      repair facilities.
 The vehicle has been injected into orbit with a maximum 
                      and minimum altitude of 233.0 km and 192.3 km, respectively, 
                      revolution of 88.5 min and inclination of 51.66°. The 
                      vehicle onboard systems operate normally in a design mode.
 The docking to the ISS is slated on September 17, 2001 at 
                      05:05 Moscow time.
 The vehicle prelaunch processing and launch at Baikonur 
                      cosmodrome were accomplished under the direction of Yu.P. 
                      Semenov, Technical Manager of Russian Manned Programs, General 
                      Designer of S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, Academician of RAS.
 The vehicle and Station flight is controlled by the Lead 
                      Operational Control Team (LOCT) located at the Mission Control 
                      Center (MCC-M), Moscow area, Korolev. The flight director 
                      is pilot-cosmonaut Vladimir Soloviev.
 According to the telemetry information and reports of ISS-3 
                      crew working aboard the ISS consisting of F. Culbertson 
                      (ISS-3 Commander), V. Dezhurov (ISS-3 Pilot and Soyuz TM 
                      Commander) and M. Tyurin (ISS-3 Flight engineer, RSC Energia 
                      test cosmonaut), all ISS systems operate normally, and the 
                      station is prepared to receive the vehicle.
 The ISS of about 133.9 t currently operates in orbit consisting 
                      of Russian Soyuz TM-32 transport vehicle, Progress M-45 
                      logistics vehicle, Service Module Zvezda, Functional Cargo 
                      Block Zarya, U.S. modules Unity and Destiny.
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