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Soyuz TMA-04M Updates
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Space Station Trio returns to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-04M |
September 17, 2012 |
Photo: NASA
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The Soyuz TMA-04M and its crew of three International Space Station residents have successfully completed their long-duration space flight returning to Earth on September 17, 2012 making a safe landing north of Arkalyk, at the Steppes of Kazakhstan at 2:53 UTC. The crew of Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineers Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba undocked with their Soyuz at 23:09 UTC on Sunday, completed two-and-a-half hours of free flight and re-entered the atmosphere before making a successful Touchdown to conclude a 125-day Space Flight.
The crew was part of ISS Expeditions 31 and 32, being a part of a truly historic ISS increment that featured a busy schedule and lots of premier events taking place at the Orbiting Complex that is circling the Earth at an altitude of 417 Kilometers. The three Crew Members participated in a fairly busy station increment that was equally historic. |
But the flight of Soyuz TMA-04M had to be shortened in advance of the mission because the spacecraft that was originally planned to fly the mission suffered damage to its Entry Module during vacuum testing ahead of the flight, shortening the mission to four instead of the normal six months of long duration missions to ISS. Nonetheless, the crew was busy aboard the Space Station.
Credit: NASA TV
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They saw the arrival of the first Commercial Spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station when the Space-X Dragon delivered ISS supplies after being launched aboard a Falcon 9 Launcher and being berthed by the Station's Robotic Arm in May. The crew also supported the dynamic testing of the new KURS-NA navigation system aboard the Progress M-15M Spacecraft that needed two attempts to perform a Re-Docking to ISS after the equipment failed the first time. The failed KURS-NA Box was removed from the vehicle by Gennady Padalka who also brought it home inside the Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft.
In addition, the crew saw the arrival of Progress M-16M on a fast-lane trajectory to ISS and the HTV-3 cargo mission that didn't make a fast arrival, but a lightning-fast departure when the vehicle aborted its nominal departure. Gennady Padalka was also able to add more time to his impressive spacewalk record, stepping outside with Yuri Malenchenko in mid-August completing a highly successful spaceflight to re-locate a Strela Cargo Boom. Two more spacewalks followed being performed by the US crew to restore the Space Station's power system. Inside ISS, the crew members were busy as well, conducting hundreds of science experiments, often acting as experiment subjects themselves. They also performed ISS maintenance, especially Gennady Padalka was provided with the most complex ISS Russian Segment maintenance tasks given his previous ISS experience, having now commanded three ISS Expeditions. After a busy increment, it was time to leave the Space Station and getting ready for the three crew members. Gennady Padalka transferred Command of ISS to Suni Williams on Saturday getting ready to close-out his third increment of being an ISS Expedition Commander. "I would like to express my gratitude to my crewmates for keeping a great psychological climate on the crew, sharing everything between us, we got along very well," Padalka said during the change-of-command ceremony on Saturday. "It's time for (the Expedition) 32 crew to hand over command to the new crew commander, Sunita Williams." |
Photo: NASA
Dragon berthed to the Harmony Module of ISS
Photo: NASA
Gennady Padalka during his Spacewalk
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Williams replied: " You pay more attention to the people that work with you and for you than than the people you work for, and that's universal leadership. I appreciate all the lessons learned and again, all the great humor that we've had up here. It's been a lot of fun and that's mostly because of you and your crew. We hope as our crew, Aki, Yuri and myself, to maintain that and pass that on to Kevin and Oleg and Evgeny when they get here. So thank you."
Final Preparations for undocking were in progress aboard the International Space Station on Sunday as the entire crew changed their sleep schedules to support the event after preparations for the Undocking and Landing started several weeks ago with Soyuz Cargo Operations, Descent Simulations and Vehicle Checkouts. Final preparatory steps completed on Sunday included the activation of the Soyuz Spacecraft and final checkouts of its Systems making sure the vehicle was in proper condition for Free Flight and Entry.
Also, time-critical Payloads were moved inside the Entry Module at the last moment to make sure they stay in a controlled environment for as long as possible. Later in the day, the two crews said their final Goodbyes inside the Poisk Module as the three Soyuz Crew Members floated inside their Soyuz Capsule - parting ways after working together for several months. Hatch closure occurred at 20:12 UTC and teams kicked off a one-hour leak check operation that is a standard part of the undocking protocol making sure both spacecraft, ISS and Soyuz, are having tight seals on their respective hatches.
Final Preparations for undocking were in progress aboard the International Space Station on Sunday as the entire crew changed their sleep schedules to support the event after preparations for the Undocking and Landing started several weeks ago with Soyuz Cargo Operations, Descent Simulations and Vehicle Checkouts. Final preparatory steps completed on Sunday included the activation of the Soyuz Spacecraft and final checkouts of its Systems making sure the vehicle was in proper condition for Free Flight and Entry.
Also, time-critical Payloads were moved inside the Entry Module at the last moment to make sure they stay in a controlled environment for as long as possible. Later in the day, the two crews said their final Goodbyes inside the Poisk Module as the three Soyuz Crew Members floated inside their Soyuz Capsule - parting ways after working together for several months. Hatch closure occurred at 20:12 UTC and teams kicked off a one-hour leak check operation that is a standard part of the undocking protocol making sure both spacecraft, ISS and Soyuz, are having tight seals on their respective hatches.
Pre-Flight Photo: Energia
Photo: NASA
Photo: NASA/ESA
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Inside the Soyuz, the crew members donned their Sokol Launch and Entry Suits and closed the inner hatch between the Orbital and Entry Module of the Soyuz before entering their custom-made shock-absorbing Kazbek Seat Liners with Gennady Padalka taking the center position as the Soyuz Commander. Sergei Revin ingressed the left and Joe Acaba the right seat. Gennady Padalka is no stranger to Soyuz Operations - this being his fourth Soyuz Mission as a Commander in charge of this spacecraft, flying under his call sign 'Altair'. Spaceflight Rookie Sergei Revin made his first return to Earth while Joe Acaba made his first Soyuz Landing having made one previous spaceflight aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-119.
With the crew inside their seats and all systems in undocking configuration, including ISS that maneuvered to the proper undocking orientation and handed control over to the Russian Segment, everything was ready for undocking on time. Gennady Padalka manually sent the Undocking Command that began a three-minute sequence during which hooks were driving to free the Soyuz Spacecraft that was then pushed away with springs. Physical Separation occurred at 23:09 UTC while the complex was flying over Nairobi, Kenya after a 123-day docked mission and the Soyuz Spacecraft slowly departed the Poisk module of ISS. While drifting away from Poisk, the crew made a visual inspection of the docking system and the target located on the module - also using external cameras to track the target. This was planned in advance to provide engineering information to Russian Flight Controllers. Three Minutes after undocking, the Soyuz spacecraft fired its engines for 15 seconds to increase its opening rate by about 0.5 meters per second to rapidly depart the vicinity of the Space Station. The Station itself went through a range of maneuvers while the Soyuz was departing before setting in its nominal TEA attitude in preparation to make another maneuver later to support Soyuz Communications Relay which was anticipated to be a stable link today as angles between Soyuz and ISS communication antennas were playing out correctly. The ISS Comm Relay during Soyuz landings had been spotty at times in the past, exactly one year ago, Soyuz TMA-21 suffered a long communications failure during its descent. Soyuz TMA-04M completed a two-orbit orbit Free Flight to set up for the deorbit burn taking place 12 Kilometers from ISS. Sticking to a precisely calculated TIG - Time Of Ignition of 1:56:18 UTC the SKD Main Propulsion System Engines providing 2,942 Newtons of thrust ignited to perform a retrograde deorbit burn. The Burn was 4 minutes and 16 seconds in duration and slowed the velocity of the Soyuz by 115.2 Meters per second placing it on its planned trajectory to intercept Earth's Atmosphere in order to begin Re-Entry. With this successful deorbit burn, Soyuz TMA-04M was on the way home, approaching the end of its journey. |
Just before experiencing the first traces of Earth's atmosphere, the Soyuz used pyrotechnic devices to separate its three modules at an altitude of 140 Kilometers with the Orbital Module and Service Module destined to burn up in the atmosphere and impacting 830 Kilometers short of the landing site. The Entry Module rolled around to the proper orientation for re-entry and moments later, the Soyuz began its fiery trip back to Earth at 102 Kilometers in altitude. Sticking to its Re-Entry Angle of 1.35 degrees for the initial part of Entry, the Soyuz later started a series of Bank Maneuvers to burn off excess energy on its way through the atmosphere pulling up to five Gs which is quite a strenuous experience for crew members coming back from an extended stay in microgravity. 7 Minutes after hitting the atmosphere, the Stress on the Vehicle and its crew reached its maximum.
"Sensation of G-load pressure on the body, heaviness of the body, labored breathing and speech. These are normal sensations, and the advice is to "take them coolly". In case of the feeling of a lump in the throat, this is no cause to "be nervous". This is frequent and should not be fought. Crew should check vision and, if any disturbances occur, create additional tension of abdominal pressure and leg muscles, in addition to the Kentavr anti-G suit," a NASA/Roscosmos description of what the crew experiences at that point in the flight said. Gennady Padalka certainly 'took it coolly,' continuing to report vehicle statuses throughout re-entry. ISS Communications Relay was lost at the expected time and contact with Soyuz TMA-04M was lost during the nominal Blackout Time until the Communications Aircraft circling over the Landing Area picked up the vehicle's signal about 15 minutes prior to touchdown.
"Sensation of G-load pressure on the body, heaviness of the body, labored breathing and speech. These are normal sensations, and the advice is to "take them coolly". In case of the feeling of a lump in the throat, this is no cause to "be nervous". This is frequent and should not be fought. Crew should check vision and, if any disturbances occur, create additional tension of abdominal pressure and leg muscles, in addition to the Kentavr anti-G suit," a NASA/Roscosmos description of what the crew experiences at that point in the flight said. Gennady Padalka certainly 'took it coolly,' continuing to report vehicle statuses throughout re-entry. ISS Communications Relay was lost at the expected time and contact with Soyuz TMA-04M was lost during the nominal Blackout Time until the Communications Aircraft circling over the Landing Area picked up the vehicle's signal about 15 minutes prior to touchdown.
Credit: NASA TV
At 2:37 UTC, the Spacecraft initiated the Parachute Opening Sequence. After the command was issued, the Pilot Chute opened at an altitude of 10.5 Kilometers, followed by the Drogue Chute - slowing the vehicle down to 79.6 Meters per Second on its descent to Earth. Later, the main chute opened at 7.5 Kilometers and the vehicle slowed down further to about 6m/s. While flying under the main chute, Soyuz transitioned from flying horizontally to a vertical descent enabling it to jettison its heat shield to expose its altimeter to acquire altitude and velocity data.
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Also, the vehicle vented its propellant tanks making sure no toxic Hydrogen Peroxide could become a problem after landing. As the Vehicle descended, airplanes provided the communication link with Mission Control Moscow and recovery forces tracking the vehicle to get to its landing point as fast as possible. Moments before landing the seat liners inside the Soyuz moved into the landing position to absorb a portion of the Impact Load and just split-seconds before touchdown the Soft Landing Engines were fired which are solid rockets that cushion the landing slowing the vehicle down to its final landing speed of 2 to 4 meters per second.
Touchdown was right on target and on time occurring at 2:53 UTC north of the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz Capsule landed on its side which is a relatively common scenario. Search and Rescue teams rushed to the landing site extremely fast and arrived at the landed spacecraft within minutes. Weather at the landing site was nearly perfect, it was a sunny morning at the Steppes of Kazakhstan with landing taking place just 1 hour and 43 minutes after sunrise. The teams were quick to open hatches and check with the crew on how they were feeling, getting started with extraction of the crew members. Also, a medical tent was set up near the landing site. Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka was first to exit his Spacecraft making it easier for the crew members in the left and right seats to be extracted. Padalka appeared to be in good health and great spirits after wrapping up his fourth long duration space flight. He now ranks 4th for in the list of humans with most time in space having logged 711 days in space. Next to be extracted from the Soyuz was Sergei Revin and he was also doing very well following his first return to gravity after making his space flight debut now totaling for 125 days in space. Last to exit the Soyuz was NASA Astronaut Joe Acaba who had a big smile on his face and seemed to be in very good condition after completing his first long duration space flight. With his two missions, he now has spent 138 days in space. |
Photo: NASA
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The crew members were placed in reclining chairs set up next to their Soyuz and they were able to phone home using a satellite phone. After spending a few minutes in the Kazakh sunlight, the crew members were transported to the medical tent for initial medical checks and to get out of their Sokol Suits. About two hours after landing they will depart the landing site for Kustanai where the crew will part ways with Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin flying back to Star City for post-landing operations and Joe Acaba boarding a NASA Aircraft to return to the Johnson Space Center, Houston for post-landing operations and recovery.
Photo Gallery: Soyuz TMA-04M Landing
Videos: Soyuz TMA-04M Return
This successful Undocking and Landing of the Soyuz Vehicle also marked the end of International Space Station Expedition 32 and the start of Station Increment 33 that begins with a crew of three of Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineers Aki Hoshide and Yuri Malenchenko that will be operating ISS by themselves for more than a month before Soyuz TMA-06M launches in mid-October to deliver NASA Astronaut Kevin Ford and Cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky and Evegny Tarelkin to ISS. The Soyuz TMA-06M launch date is currently up in the air after a problem with equipment related to the Spacecraft was detected after it was delivered to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch has been tentatively rescheduled for October 23 for docking two days later.
For more about ISS Expedition 33, its crew, associated science operations and visiting vehicles, please visit our detailed Expedition 33 preview.
Photo Gallery: Soyuz TMA-04M Landing
Videos: Soyuz TMA-04M Return
This successful Undocking and Landing of the Soyuz Vehicle also marked the end of International Space Station Expedition 32 and the start of Station Increment 33 that begins with a crew of three of Commander Suni Williams and Flight Engineers Aki Hoshide and Yuri Malenchenko that will be operating ISS by themselves for more than a month before Soyuz TMA-06M launches in mid-October to deliver NASA Astronaut Kevin Ford and Cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky and Evegny Tarelkin to ISS. The Soyuz TMA-06M launch date is currently up in the air after a problem with equipment related to the Spacecraft was detected after it was delivered to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch has been tentatively rescheduled for October 23 for docking two days later.
For more about ISS Expedition 33, its crew, associated science operations and visiting vehicles, please visit our detailed Expedition 33 preview.
Landing Profile Information
Credit: Roscosmos
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Credit: NASA TV
ISS Cosmonaut & Astronaut Trio to return to Earth this Weekend |
September 15, 2012 |
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A trio of International Space Station Residents is getting ready for the Return Trip to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-04M this weekend after completing a 4-month Space Flight. Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka, the first three-time ISS Commander, and Flight Engineers Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba will undock from ISS aboard their Soyuz on Sunday, September 16 at 23:09 UTC to begin a short free flight setting up for Re-Entry. Landing at the Steppes of Kazakhstan is expected at 2:53 UTC on Monday. The Crew was part of Expedition 31 and 32, but their mission had to be shortened in advance after the original spacecraft that was supposed to fly this mission suffered damage during vacuum testing.
Aboard the complex, the Soyuz TMA-04M Crew Members have completed landing preparations as well as cargo operations for the return trip to Earth. Several science payloads and equipment was placed aboard the Entry Module for return to Earth and post-flight analysis. |
Photo: NASA
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The science equipment includes samples taken from ISS Air and Water supply as well as experiment samples that are part of ongoing ISS Science Studies. In addition, Soyuz TMA-04M carries the KURS-NA avionics box back to Earth that was removed from Progress M-15M after behaving erratically when making its first test during the Re-Docking Sequence of the vehicle.
Time-Critical Payloads will be loaded just before hatch closure late on Sunday. The Orbital Module of the Soyuz Spacecraft was loaded with trash and no-longer-needed items for disposal via destructive re-entry. Also, final preparations for the brief period of free flight were made inside the Entry Module of the Soyuz Spacecraft. These preparations included the activation of the Vehicle's Life Support Systems and Toilet Facility as well as a check of all thrusters that haven't been used since docking on May 17, 2012. To prepare for Entry, Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin have completed the standard Descent Drills which are simulations of various Entry Scenarios that are conducted inside the Soyuz Spacecraft to get the crew up to speed on all associated procedures. The entire Soyuz TMA-04M Crew performed the standard leak checks of their Sokol Suits that will be worn during entry and landing.
Time-Critical Payloads will be loaded just before hatch closure late on Sunday. The Orbital Module of the Soyuz Spacecraft was loaded with trash and no-longer-needed items for disposal via destructive re-entry. Also, final preparations for the brief period of free flight were made inside the Entry Module of the Soyuz Spacecraft. These preparations included the activation of the Vehicle's Life Support Systems and Toilet Facility as well as a check of all thrusters that haven't been used since docking on May 17, 2012. To prepare for Entry, Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin have completed the standard Descent Drills which are simulations of various Entry Scenarios that are conducted inside the Soyuz Spacecraft to get the crew up to speed on all associated procedures. The entire Soyuz TMA-04M Crew performed the standard leak checks of their Sokol Suits that will be worn during entry and landing.
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They also checked the fit of their custom Kazbek Seat Liners inside the Soyuz Entry Module and made adjustments where it was required, making sure the seats can provide their shock absorbing capabilities during Landing. On Saturday, the crew will perform the Change of Command Ceremony during which Gennady Padalka will hand over the Command of the Space Station to Suni Williams who will lead Expedition 33.
On Sunday, the Soyuz Spacecraft will be activated and all systems will be checked thoroughly. At around 20:00 UTC, the crew members will move to the correct sides of the Hatches and say their final Goodbyes after working together for several months as part of Expedition 32. Afterwards, they will get started on hatch closure operations and perform the standard one-hour leak check to make sure the seals on both ends of the vestibule between the two spacecraft are tight. The Soyuz Crew will make final checks of the vehicle's systems before donning their Sokol Launch and Entry Suits and strapping themselves into their Seat Liners. At 23:06 UTC on Sunday, the Undocking Command will be sent and physical separation will occur 3 minutes later. As Soyuz TMA-04M departs the Poisk Module of ISS, the Vehicle and its crew will be leaving the Space Station behind after a 123-day Docked Mission. This is the fourth flight of the new Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft that features a new control system that makes the vehicle easier to control in Manual Mode and reduces its weight and power consumption. The TMA-M version also has improved crew interfaces and avionics. The first two flights were test flights of the new system including on-orbit testing operations with Soyuz TMA-04M being the second regular flight of the new Soyuz. Once physical separation is complete, the Soyuz Spacecraft will make its first Separation Burn to depart the vicinity of the International Space Station followed by a second burn to increase its opening rate. A two-Orbit Free-Flight will follow during which the vehicle maneuvers to a safe distance to ISS to perform its Deorbit Burn at 1:56 UTC. |
Photo: NASA
Photo: NASA
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The Burn will be 4 minutes and 16 seconds in duration slowing the Soyuz down by 115.2 meters per second - just enough to place it on a trajectory to intercept Earth's Atmosphere to start re-entry. Just before Entry Interface, the modules of the Soyuz will separate and the Entry Module will move to the correct Entry Attitude. After completing atmospheric entry, the Soyuz will deploy its Parachutes, drop its heat shield and get ready for touchdown, firing its Soft Landing Engines split-seconds before impact. Landing at the Steppes of Kazakhstan is planned to occur at 2:53 UTC. Recovery forces will immediately start post-landing operations to extract the crew that will have completed their long duration Space Mission at that point.
Station Crew restored to six afer flawless Soyuz Docking
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May 17, 2012
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Soyuz Docking *File Image* - Photo: NASA
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Soyuz TMA-04M and its three Crew Members, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba, have arrived at the International Space Station to restore its Crew to six. The Soyuz Spacecraft made a successful docking on Thursday, May 17 at 4:36 GMT to the Mini Research Module 'Poisk' Docking Compartment of the orbiting outpost while the Space Station was over the Mongolian Border.
Soyuz TMA-04M started its 35-orbit journey to the Station on Tuesday launching at 3:02 GMT atop a Soyuz FG Rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. After a flawless ascent and orbital insertion, the Spacecraft made three large orbit adjustment burns on Tuesday and Wednesday to set the Stage for Rendezvous Operations that began early in the morning on Thursday. The Automated Docking Sequence began as expected at 2:18 GMT when the Soyuz Capsule was still at a large distance to ISS. The Crew activated the KURS Navigation System that provides accurate Range and Velocity Data for the vehicle's on-board computers. |
The Rendezvous and Docking sequence is fully automated, however, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka was monitoring the systems closely - ready to take action and perform a manual docking if any off-nominal events had occurred. Soyuz TMA-04M is the fourth of the next-generation digital Soyuz Spacecraft. The new digital control system provides new controls and interfaces for the crew making it easier to manually control the capsule and make maneuvers in space. As the vehicle closed in on the Station, the navigation systems were validated and Soyuz completed a series of trajectory correction maneuvers. Gennady Padalka, a veteran of three previous space flights, reported that the Station was in view and Don Pettit was also able to spot the Soyuz fron the Space Station. At a range of 8 Kilometers, the Soyuz activated its TV System needed for monitoring of the automated operation.
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Making three more engine burns, Soyuz finally arrived in the direct vicinity of the Station. Mission Controllers in Korolev just outside of Moscow gave a GO for the Flyaround and Gennady Padalka sent the appropriate command. Soyuz TMA-04M made a slow lap around the massive Space Station to align itself with its docking port at Poisk. After completing the Flyaround, a short period of Stationkeeping was initiated at a range of 190 meters giving Flight Controllers a chance to assess the vehicle's systems and the alignment with the docking port. The Crew was given a GO and final approach was started at. The Spacecraft gently fired its engines to acheive a closing rate of about 0.1 meters per second keeping the cross hairs precisely aligned. Contact and Capture occurred at 4:36 GMT while the complex was orbiting over the Mongolian-Kazakh Border starting a pass over China -
two minutes earlier than planned giving an indication of a flawless
Rendezvous without any problems that could have consumed time during the
approach. The Docking Probe was retracted and Hooks started closing to establish a hard mate between the two docking interfaces. A 2.5-hour leak check operation got underway to make sure the seals of the docking system are tight. After leak checks and system checks are complete, the crew will be allowed to open the hatches and enter the Station.
Aboard ISS, the three Crew Members of Expedition 30/31, Oleg Kononenko, Don Pettit and Andre Kuipers supported the docking by monitoring systems and acquiring images of the Soyuz Vehicle and its docking system for technical evaluations. When the Soyuz TMA-04M crew members ingress ISS, the mandatory safety briefing will be held by Commander Oleg Kononenko who will discuss emergency procedures, contingency equipment locations and other items while the crew gets a tour of ISS. Shortly thereafter, time-critical payloads will be unloaded from the Soyuz to place them inside thermally controlled containers. These payloads include biological experiment hardware and other science payloads for upcoming studies aboard the Station. The Soyuz TMA-04M Crew is now starting a 123-day stay aboard ISS as part of Expedition 31 and 32. With six crew members back on station, more hands can focus on science operations to increase the weekly hours of scientific work completed aboard ISS. To begin the mission, the new crew of three will have daily familiarization operations on their schedule for the next three weeks. |
*File Image* Photo: NASA
Photo: NASA
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But there will not be much time for immediate familiarization because the next visiting vehicle will be departing Earth for the Space Station later this week when SpaceX launches its Falcon 9 Rocket with the Dragon Spacecraft. Dragon C2/3 is expected to make an ISS Fly-Under on May 21 and rendezvous with the complex one day later - pending successful on-orbit demonstrations. Refer to our COTS2 Section for mission updates and background information. The rest of Expedition 31 will be very quiet in terms of visiting vehicles and the crew will be able to focus on ISS Maintenance and Science Operations. A full preview of ISS Increment 31 is available here.
Docking Video
Hatch Opening Video
Soyuz TMA-04M on Track for Rendezvous & Docking
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May 16, 2012
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The Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft has completed its fist day in orbit without any problems. It is on a 35-Orbit journey that will take it and the three crew members, Sergei Revin, Joe Acaba and Soyuz Commander and veteran of three previous flights, Gennady Padalka, to the International Space Station. For that, the capsule made 3 large Engine Firings using its SKD Main Propulsion System to achieve a trajectory that lines it up with ISS for an automated docking on Thursday at 04:38:28 GMT. The first of these burns was conducted just 3.5 hours after launch and changed the vehicle's velocity by 24.3 meters per second. Rendezvous Burn 2 was also performed on Tuesday and provided a Delta-V of 7.4m/s. On Wednesday, the third burn was completed and changed TMA-04M's speed by just 2m/s. All these burns were completed as planned and the vehicle and its crew are in very good condition working through their busy Flight Day 2. Aboard ISS, final preparations for the docking and upcoming operations are being completed today. Cameras aboard the Station were configured to record tomorrow’s docking. Also, the crew quarters for the three upcoming ISS Residents have been prepared by the first half of the Expedition 31 Crew. These operations included a reconfiguration of the onboard Network for personal computer and internet settings.
Everything is on track for an on time docking tomorrow. |
Launch to Docking Timeline
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Soyuz TMA-04M and Crew in Orbit after successul Launch
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May 15, 2012
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The Soyuz
FG Launch Vehicle with Soyuz TMA-04M and its three Crew Members, Gennady
Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba, lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome,
Kazakhstan, on Tuesday, May 15 at 3:01:23 GMT. The Vehicle successfully
delivered the International Space Station Expedition 31/32 Crew to Orbit on a
journey to link up with the orbiting outpost on May 17.
Yesterday, the crew went through the traditional L-1 Operations including a final press event and the blessing of the Soyuz Rocket by an Orthodox Priest. Launch Day Operations began eight hours before blastoff with the start of the Countdown Sequence. The three Crew Members and their backups also woke up for their final preparations at that time. They departed their crew quarters at 2am local time to start Sokol Suit Donning and meet delegations present for Tuesday’s Launch before going to the Launch Site. Six hours prior to Liftoff, the State Commission met and discussed the Vehicle’s status. A GO for Fueling was given when the meeting concluded. Fueling began on time at L-5 Hours and the Soyuz was loaded with nearly 282,000 Kilograms of Liquid Oxygen and Rocket Propellant 1 which is highly refined Kerosene. Also, Hydrogen Peroxide and Liquid Nitrogen was loaded that is needed to run the engine’s Turbopumps and keep the Propellant Tanks pressurized during flight. The Propellant Loading Process was completed by the book and concluded at L- 4 hours. The fully fueled vehicle was poised for launch waiting for its crew of three. 2 hours and 40 minutes before blastoff the Crew’s Bus arrived at the Launch Site and the Crew posed for a few final photos prior to entering the elevator to the access area in order to ingress their Soyuz Capsule. The trio was strapped into their Kazbek Seats before the Entry Module Hatch was closed and latched. Afterwards, Teams closed the Orbital Module’s hatch and sealed the access hatch of the Payload Shroud. When all hatches were closed, a set of extensive leak checks was completed to make sure the cabin was sealed properly. |
Photo: NASA
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Photo: NASA
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A thorough Check of
Soyuz Launcher and Spacecraft Systems was started to ensure all Systems were in
proper condition for upcoming countdown operations and the flight. 90 Minutes
before Launch, the Communication System of the Soyuz was activated and Internal
Soyuz Pressure Checks began. The crew configured the Soyuz Capsule for Launch
and made final Communication Checks starting one hour before ignition. To
prepare the vehicle for launch, the Soyuz Service Structure was retracted at
T-45 Minutes to expose the fully fueled and venting vehicle and retract all
access platforms to the launcher. 30 Minutes from Blastoff, the Launch Escape
System was activated and placed in automated mode shortly thereafter. At L-15
Minutes, Sokol Launch and Entry Suit Checks were completed and the Launch Pad
was evacuated in preparation for ignition. Just six minutes before launch, the
automated sequence of the Countdown began to complete the final preparatory
steps to place the Rocket in its launch configuration. For that, the telemetry system and control systems were transferred to onboard control. The crew closed their Sokol Visors and switched to Suit Air Supply. At L-3 Minutes and 15 Seconds, the Nitrogen Purge of the Core Stage and Booster Engines got underway to set the stage for engine start. Propellant Tanks were pressurized for flight and propellant and Nitrogen Loading was terminated as Drain and Safety Valves were closed. One Minute prior to launch, the vehicle transferred to internal power and started its Launch Sequencer that was in control of the countdown from that point on. 20 seconds before being released, the RD-107A Engines of the four strap-on Boosters and the RD-108A of the Core stage soared to life after the Ignition Command was sent. Turbopumps started spinning up to an intermediate thrust level before reaching flight speed and full thrust 5 seconds prior to launch. All umbilicals were retracted. The performance of the Propulsion System was monitored and the vehicle was allowed to blast off. Liftoff occurred on time at 3:01:23 GMT and the Soyuz FG Launcher blasted into the Kazakh Sky making its initial vertical ascent before pitching and rolling on its exact course to its Orbital Cutoff Target.
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First
Stage performance was nominal and the Rocket followed a nominal Ascent
Path. Just under two minutes into the flight, the four strap-on boosters
were jettisoned after giving extra thrust for the first 118 seconds of
the mission. Separation occurred at an
altitude of 46 Kilometers, 115 Kilometers downrange from the Launch Site. One
Minute later, the launch escape tower and the payload shroud were separated as
well and the Soyuz TMA-04M Capsule was now exposed as thermal and aerodynamical
loads were within limits when the vehicle had already left the dense portion of
the Atmosphere. The core stage and its RD-108A four-chamber Main Engine
continued to burn until the T+4:58 Mark when Staging occurred. Operation of the
third stage and its RD-0110 Engine was normal and the Soyuz Capsule separated
at and altitude of 202 Kilometers traveling 7.5 Kilometers per Second, after a
3-minute, 47-second burn of the thris stage to begin its trip to the ISS.
Immediately after separation, solar arrays and communication antennas were
deployed to complete a successful orbital insertion process. The vehicle was
turned over to Mission Control Moscow after orbital insertion was complete.
This is the fourth flight of the new digital Soyuz TMA-M series. The first two flights were evaluation flights with built-in tests of the vehicle The digital controls make it easier for the Commander to manually maneuver the vehicle around and monitor automated activity during Rendezvous and Docking. The crew was allowed to open their visors and egress their seats after all vehicle parameters were validated. The three crew members will open the hatch to the Orbital Module of the Soyuz and start to set up for on-orbit operations. On tap for the crew and their vehicle are three major Rendezvous Burns today and tomorrow to put them on the proper trajectory to link up with ISS. The first of these Burns is coming up 3 hours and 35 minutes after launch and will raise the vehicle’s orbit changing its velocity by 24.3 meters per second. One more large burn is coming up on Tuesday while the third Rendezvous Burn is made just before automatic Rendezvous initiation on May 17. Docking to the Mini Research Module 2 Docking Port on the International Space Station is currently planned for May 17 at 4:39 GMT. |
Photo: NASA
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After the arrival of the other half of the Expedition 31 Crew, ISS operations
with six crewmembers will then be restored as Expedition 31 begins its second
part that will be more science oriented as more crew time for experiments is
available with a greater number of hands aboard the orbiting outpost. Padalka,
Revin and Acaba are planned to stay in space for 125 days and transition to
Expedition 32 when Don Pettit, Andre Kuipers and Oleg Kononenko depart the
Station aboard their Soyuz TMA-03M Vehicle. At that point, Genneady Padalka
will become the first person to assume Command of the Space Station three times
as he already has commanded Expeditions 9 and 20. A full Expedition 31 Preview
is available here.
Photo Gallery: Launch Day Operations -- Photo Gallery: Soyuz Liftoff
Photo Gallery: Launch Day Operations -- Photo Gallery: Soyuz Liftoff
Launch Video
Soyuz Rocket rolled to Launch Complex
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May 14, 2012
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Photo: NASA
Photo: NASA
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The Soyuz FG Rocket with the Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft has been rolled to the Launch Pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Sunday, May 13 to set the stage for final Launch Preparations.
Earlier, on May 12, the Soyuz Spacecraft encapsulated in its protective Launch Shroud was installed on the third Stage of the Vehicle before the Launch Escape Tower was mated to the Upper Composite. Afterwards, the stack was installed on the Core Stage to complete the lengthy Launcher Integration Process. Later in the day, after checkouts were completed, the State Commission convened to assess the Vehicle's Status. The decision to roll the vehicle to the Launch Complex and press into L-2 Operations was made. Rollout occurred early on Sunday (GMT) and the Soyuz was placed in its erect launch position once arriving at the launch site. After the vehicle was in place atop the launch table, the two hales of the service gantry were positioned around the vehicle to provide access platforms for the final set of checkouts and reconfigurations. Countdown Operations will get underway on Monday leading to liftoff on Tuesday, May 15 at 3:02 GMT. The Crew is currently undergoing final launch preparations as well. They participated in the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony and the Tree Planting Event at Baikonur. They have been able to say their final Good Byes to their families and completed a final inspection of the TMA-04M Spacecraft just before integration to assess the cargo situation on board. Now, the three crew members are undergoing final medical exams get the clearance for launch. The current station crew of Oleg Kononenko, Andre Kuipers and Don Pettit have performed a radio conference with the three Soyuz Crew Members, Gennady Padalka, Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin, to discuss activities planned for the first couple of days aboard the station and other items that the upcoming crew should be aware of since the time of on-orbit familiarization is particularly short wit the Dragon C2/3 Mission taking up lots of crew time just after Soyuz TMA-04M arrival. Currently, all operations are on track for an on-time launch on Tuesday. Photo Gallery: Soyuz TMA-04M Rollout Photo Gallery: Soyuz TMA-04M final Processing |
Soyuz installed in Launch Shroud
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May 8, 2012
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Launch
Preparations at the Baikonur Cosmodrome are on track for a May 15 Launch of the
Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft aboard a Soyuz FG Launch Vehicle.
After the Soyuz Spacecraft was delivered to the Launcher Integration Building, technicians attached it to its Payload Adapter on May 6. Afterwards, the final external inspection of the Soyuz took place. As part of normal pre-launch operations, launch locks were removed and areas of interest were assessed by the team. The capsule was rotated to a horizontal position and installed in its protective Launch Shroud. Being placed in its test stand once again, the Soyuz is now waiting to be installed on top of the Launch Vehicle. Later, the Launch Escape Tower will be installed on the vehicle to complete the integration process. After a final round of integrated testing, the Vehicle will be rolled to the Launch Site at L-2 Days for final preparations and the countdown. The Crew of Soyuz TMA-04M is finishing flight preparations and is set for some traditional farewell ceremonies over the coming days. Photo Gallery: TMA-04M final pre-launch Processing |
Photo: Energia
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Spacecraft ready for Installation atop the Launch Vehicle
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May 7, 2012
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Photo: Energia
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Launch Preparations for the next manned Space Flight are continuing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On May 5, 2012, the Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft was moved from the Spacecraft Integration Building the the Launcher Integration Facility where it will be installed on the Soyuz FG Launch Vehicle that will deliver the Soyuz Capsule to Orbit. After being delivered to the integration facility, the Spacecraft was placed in a test stand for final close-outs and tests. The Soyuz will be placed in a horizontal position for encapsulation in the protective Launch Shroud. This upper composite will be installed on the Soyuz FG Launcher before the Launch escape Tower will be attached to the stacked vehicle to complete the Launch Vehicle Integration Process. Afterwards, a period of integrated testing will begin to make sure all electrical connections between Launch Vehicle and Spacecraft are in place. When all checkouts are complete, the fully stacked vehicle will be transported to the Launch Pad at L-2 Days for nominal operations to put the Soyuz in its Launch Configuration and eventually start the countdown.
Photo Gallery: Soyuz TMA-04M final Processing |
Final Pre-Launch Operations underway
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May 4, 2012
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In preparation for its Launch to the International Space Station, the Soyuz TMA-04M Spacecraft and the Soyuz FG Launcher have entered final pre-launch operations at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Launch is set for May 15, 2012.
The Soyuz TMA-04M and ISS Expedition 31/32 Crew Members, Gennady Padalka, Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin, have departed Star City after completing final training on May 2. They arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome the same day to begin the nominal pre-launch routine involving final medical exams, suit checks and flight simulations. The Backup Crew is also at the Launch Site completing normal operations to get ready for the mission should any problems with the prime crew arise which is not anticipated at this time. On May 3, the Crew Members donned their Sokol Launch and Entry Suits and completed leak checks before going to the Spacecraft Integration Facility. There, they ingressed their Soyuz Capsule and were strapped in their seats for a fit check of the custom made Kazbek Seats. Also, inside the spacecraft, the three crew members were able to familiarize themselves with the cargo stowage situation on board and the actual flight hardware. They completed a simulated ascent and made several other checks before egressing the Soyuz. Nominal Cargo Load of the vehicle has been completed. As part of countdown operations, time-critical payloads will be loaded into the spacecraft. The TMA-04M Capsule is now getting ready for fueling and integration with the protective Payload Shroud and Launch Escape System. The Soyuz FG is the manned version of the Soyuz Launcher that can fly in several other configurations. It features a Launch Escape Tower that is used to transport the Soyuz and its crew safely away from the Rocket in case of a contingency early in the flight. The Soyuz FG has abort capabilities all the way up to orbit. Inside the Launcher Integration Facility, the Soyuz FG for this mission was integrated over the past several weeks. Its four strap-on Boosters were attached to the large Core Stage of the Vehicle. Then, the third stage was installed on the Launcher. Tests of the vehicle were performed and the launcher is now ready for Payload Integration and the start of integrated testing. When all checkouts are complete, the fully stacked vehicle will be transported to the Launch Pad at L-2 Days for nominal operations to put the Soyuz in its Launch Configuration and eventually start the countdown. |
Photo: Energia
Photo: Energia
Photo Gallery: Final Crew Preparations Baikonur
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Soyuz delivered to Baikonur
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February 27, 2012
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The next Soyuz Vehicle to fly to the International Space Station has been delivered to Site 254 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to begin final Launch Preparations. Originally planned to fly the TMA-05M Mission, the Vehicle was in the middle of finishing its assembly process with nominal pre-flight checkouts at the Testing Facility in Korolev just outside of Moscow when the Soyuz Capsule for the TMA-04M Mission was damaged during environmental testing. Refer to previous updates below on this site for details on the incident of January 23.
The new vehicle was then prepared to fly as early as possible without compromising nominal pre-flight schedules. Testing at Korolev was completed and the vehicle was certified for flight before starting its trip to Baikonur. On February 27, the Vehicle arrived at the Cosmodrome for final launch preparations. After being unloaded, the capsule will undergo electrical tests and final outfitting. Later, cargo will be loaded and more inspections will be made. The crew of Soyuz TMA-04M and ISS Expedition 31/32, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba, will also have the opportunity to inspect their vehicle as part of normal crew preparations for flight. The Spacecraft will be fueled for flight and installed on its Soyuz FG Launch Vehicle before being moved to the Launch Complex in May. Launch is currently planned for May 15, 2012.
The new vehicle was then prepared to fly as early as possible without compromising nominal pre-flight schedules. Testing at Korolev was completed and the vehicle was certified for flight before starting its trip to Baikonur. On February 27, the Vehicle arrived at the Cosmodrome for final launch preparations. After being unloaded, the capsule will undergo electrical tests and final outfitting. Later, cargo will be loaded and more inspections will be made. The crew of Soyuz TMA-04M and ISS Expedition 31/32, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and Joe Acaba, will also have the opportunity to inspect their vehicle as part of normal crew preparations for flight. The Spacecraft will be fueled for flight and installed on its Soyuz FG Launch Vehicle before being moved to the Launch Complex in May. Launch is currently planned for May 15, 2012.
Photo: Roscosmos (www.federalspace.ru)
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Photo: Roscosmos (www.federalspace.ru)
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Schedules adjusted to accommodate TMA-04M Launch Delay
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February 2, 2012
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Photo: NASA
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International Space Station Schedules have been reviewed earlier today by all Space Agencies around the world that are involved in the International Partnership. Schedule changes have become necessary in the wake of a failure of the next Soyuz Vehicle during nominal pre-flight testing. A breach on the Descent Module of the TMA-04M Vehicle with Tail Number 704 occurred on January 23 due to an unusual overpressurization of the vehicle during standard vacuum testing. Details of the incident are still under review and the Russian Space Agency has formed a commission to investigate the issue. What has been decided is that the 704 Vehicle is no longer certified to fly in to space and conduct its mission. The next Soyuz Vehicle to fly to ISS is the Capsule that was originally planned to fly TMA-05M (Tail Number 705). In order to safely prepare the vehicle for flight, the Launch of the Expedition 31/32 Crew is now planned for May 15, 2012 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. |
To keep ISS going at a full crew of
six Astronauts, Dan Burbank, Anatoly Ivanishin and Anton Shkaplerov will return
with their Soyuz TMA-22 vehicle on April 30, 2012 placing landing time in the daylight
portion of the day in the steppes of Kazakhstan which is a critical flight rule
for the Soyuz. Initially, TMA-22 was supposed to have a shortened mission since
its launch was delayed last year. Now, it looks at a 45-day mission extension.
The next Progress Resupply Mission has also gotten a slight launch date change
– it is now set to launch on April 20 to deconflict schedules concerning manned
missions. Soyuz TMA-05M will also suffer a slight launch delay, now looking at a
mid-July Liftoff - also pushing landing for the rest of the current Expedition 30 Crew (Oleg Kononenko, Don Pettit and Andre Kuipers) to a later date extending their mission to about 190 days. Teams feel very confident with these changes as there is no big
impact for the ISS as a program. ISS Program Manager Mike Suffredini commented ‘Near
term, we’re in great shape’ during a teleconference earlier today when looking at cargo supplies and science activities to be conducted. He expressed
confidence in the Russian Space Agency and their problem-solving skills. For more
information on recent events concerning this mission, see updates below – To stay
up to date on all activities taking place in-orbit, aboard ISS, visit the Expedition
30 Section.
ISS Schedules under Review after Launch Delay
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January 31, 2012
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The Soyuz
TMA-04M Mission will be delayed by one and a half months after technical
problems with the descent module of the Vehicle arose on January 23. According
to Russian Sources, a breach of the descent module occurred during standard
vacuum testing. What has caused the problem has not been released in detail.
Bad manufacturing material or a fault that occurred during the assembly process
are likely causes of the problem that turned up before in the Russian Soyuz
Program and is somewhat well understood.
The vehicle in question is no longer certified for flight and will not make a space mission. Currently, one more Soyuz Vehicle is at the Testing Facility in Korolev. It was scheduled to fly the TMA-05M Mission to the International Space Station. One more capsule is nearing the completion of its assembly process. The vehicle for the TMA-05M mission will now be flying the next mission to ISS, TMA-04M. However, it will take more than 3 months to get the spacecraft ready for flight, complete necessary testing and make final Launch Preparations causing launch to slip to mid-May. |
Photo: NASA
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The Vehicle won’t be ready for delivery to
the Baikonur Cosmodrome until mid-March. New official schedules will be drafted
later this week as all participating agencies will discuss the issue.
The current crew on ISS that arrived on Soyuz TMA-22 (Dan Burbank; Anatoly Ivanishin and Anton Shkaplerov) will have an extended mission landing in late April – depending on lighting conditions at the landing site. The TMA-22 vehicle can support this mission extension without certification issues as it was originally scheduled to have a shortened mission to accommodate the launch delay that it had suffered in the wake of the Progress Failure of 2011. The Launch of Soyuz TMA-05M originally planned for late May will most likely be delayed as well which would then cause subsequent Station Increments to be shortened. Upcoming Missions including the ATV3 Flight in March and the SpaceX Dragon Mission that is currently under review itself, will not be impacted by this delay.
The current crew on ISS that arrived on Soyuz TMA-22 (Dan Burbank; Anatoly Ivanishin and Anton Shkaplerov) will have an extended mission landing in late April – depending on lighting conditions at the landing site. The TMA-22 vehicle can support this mission extension without certification issues as it was originally scheduled to have a shortened mission to accommodate the launch delay that it had suffered in the wake of the Progress Failure of 2011. The Launch of Soyuz TMA-05M originally planned for late May will most likely be delayed as well which would then cause subsequent Station Increments to be shortened. Upcoming Missions including the ATV3 Flight in March and the SpaceX Dragon Mission that is currently under review itself, will not be impacted by this delay.
Soyuz Mission delayed
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January 27, 2012
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The Launch of the next manned Space Flight to the International Space Station has to be delayed from the original March 30, 2012 Launch Date because of technical problems with the descent module of the Soyuz Capsule that was supposed to bring the crew of Expedition 31/32 to ISS. The vehicle was set to deliver Joe Acaba and Roscosmos cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin to ISS for their long duration missions aboard the complex.
The Soyuz TMA-04M Vehicle showed a problem during testing of its descent module. According to Russian Sources, the vehicle’s shell broke during tightness testing which is a nominal test in the normal processing flow of the Soyuz Spacecraft. The vehicle is now no longer certified for flight.This problem is somewhat well known, as it has occurred on multiple occasions. The next Soyuz to fly after that (Vehicle number TMA-05M) can not be readied for flight in time to meet the launch date. Liftoff is now targeting the mid-April or early May time frame. This Launch delay will also cause a mission extension to the current ISS Expedition Crew so that Soyuz TMA-22 that delivered Dan Burbank, Anatoly Ivanishin and Anton Shkaplerov to ISS, will remain docked longer so that the ISS has a full crew for as long as possible, schedules are being worked out as events progress and will be posted as soon as details are confirmed. In turn, it is likely that the Soyuz TMA-05M flight will also be pstponed as hardware can not be processed fast enough to maintain current schedules. |
Credit: NASA/Roscosmos
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