SOYUZ ROCKET LAUNCH - Progress MS-23

Video from the channel Space Orbit about Soyuz (cohete), linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 50:06. Language: Portuguese. Video type: Livestream.

A Portuguese-language live stream from the Space Orbit channel follows the launch of the Progress MS-23 cargo mission to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket in its 2.1a variant, from Kazakhstan. The spacecraft is uncrewed and carries equipment and supplies. The host comments on the Russian broadcast while keeping an eye on chat, viewer contributions and computer performance issues, which even interrupt the feed during the ascent.

During the pre-launch wait, the host shows personnel being withdrawn from the launch area about twenty minutes before liftoff and explains that the rocket is moved to the pad by rail, a method different from the American one, neither better nor worse. He recalls that Progress is not recovered: at the end of its mission it is loaded with waste from the station and destroyed on reentry, something Cygnus also does.

He also mentions the final liquidation of Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson's launch company: part of its assets were sold to Stratolaunch for about 17 million dollars, and Rocket Lab paid about 16 million for the Long Beach factory to produce its Neutron rocket.

During the flight, telemetry shows about 4,000 km/h at 43 km altitude before the four strap-on boosters separate, forming the Korolev cross. The payload fairing is then released, about 9,000 km/h is reached at 102 km, and the second stage separates along with its side fairings at about 14,500 km/h and 156 km altitude. Around 380 seconds, the spacecraft is at roughly 20,000 km/h and 185 km altitude with the third stage firing, heading toward about 27,700 km/h.

The final stage separates as planned, and the host declares the launch successful. Docking with the station is expected a few days later, and the broadcast ends with a review of other delayed or pending launches.