Soyuz TMA-17 atop Soyuz-FG on December 20/21, 2009

[Orbinaut Pete]

Hatches will be opened at 12:40 PM EDT/4:40 PM GMT.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:56 PM ----------

Hooks are now closed.

That's it! Great job, Oleg! :thumbup:

---------- Post added at 07:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:03 PM ----------

NASA TV video about the relocation:
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4xBVuxxiFM"]YouTube- Crew Grabs New Parking Spot in Space[/nomedia]

---------- Post added at 10:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 PM ----------

Full docking video.

---------- Post added 13th May 2010 at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was 12th May 2010 at 10:51 PM ----------

From ISS Daily Report for 12/05/2010:

Soyuz TMA-17/21S relocation went smoothly, freeing up the FGB Nadir port for the installation of MRM-1 during the upcoming STS-132/ULF-4 mission. After a brief ride in their crew return vehicle, CDR Kotov, FE-5 Noguchi & FE-6 Creamer docked at the SM Aft port, completing the spacecraft’s relocation in about 27 minutes. [After undocking, Soyuz CDR Oleg Kotov backed away from the station 25-30 m at ~0.12 m/s, then translated the spacecraft to the left, slewing sidewise through 90 deg along the ISS toward the aft end before rotating (“indexing”) the Soyuz around its longitudinal axis to align its periscope with the docking target on the SM, spending a short time in station-keeping mode. Final approach was then initiated, with docking occurring smoothly. After hooks and latches were engaged, the crew conducted leak checks, opened hatches, and then re-entered the station through the SM.]

Inside TMA-17, after hatch closure the three crewmembers donned their Sokol pressure suits and performed Soyuz checkout operations.

Next, Oleg, Soichi & Timothy conducted the standard fit check of the Kazbek couches, the contoured shock absorbing seats in the Soyuz Descent Module. [For the fit check, crew members removed their cabin suits and donned Sokol KV-2 suit and comm caps, getting into in their seats and assessing the degree of comfort and uniform body support provided by the seat liner. Using a ruler, they then measured the gap between the top of the head and the top edge of the seat liner facing the head crown. The results were reported to TsUP. Kazbek-UM couches are designed to withstand g-loads during launch and orbital insertion as well as during reentry and brake-rocket-assisted landing. Each seat has two positions: cocked (armed) and noncocked. In cocked position, they are raised to allow the shock absorbers to function during touchdown. The fit check assures that the crewmembers, whose bodies gain in length during longer-term stay in zero-G, will still be adequately protected by the seat liners for their touchdown in Kazakhstan, either emergency or regular return.]

RS thrusters were disabled for the FGB QD (Quick Disconnect, Russian: BZV) screw clamps removal and hook opening.

For the relocation, ISS attitude control authority was handed over to RS MCS (Motion Control System). After relocation, control returned to US Momentum Management.

After Soyuz re-docking, the crew completed the standard 1-hr Soyuz/SM AO (Assembly Compartment) leak checking and Sokol suit & glove drying.

RS thrusters were again inhibited for leak checking, hatch opening and post-docking clamp installation. TMA-17 deactivation then began, completing with the transition of TMA-17 to ISS/combined power.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here’s some really unique and interesting shots of the relocation:

Oleg Kotov in the BO prior to hatch closure – notice his TMA-17 T-shirt!

Hi-res version.

All the TMA-17 crew in the BO.

Hi-res version.

This one is unusual, as it is taken inside the BO – Oleg Kotov closing the BO hatch.

Hi-res version.

Another unusual shot from inside the BO. Notice the “indented” volume with the window – that is the interior side of the protruding volume that can be seen on the left side of the BO in this image. It allows crewmembers to access the BO forward-facing window.

Hi-res version.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Oleg Kotov in the BO prior to hatch closure – notice his TMA-17 T-shirt!

I think they still wore Sokol spacesuits before taking their seats prior to the relocation.

 

[Rocketman527]

Thanks Pete! that's the first time I've ever seen the interior of the orbital module

 

[SiberianTiger]

http://www.space.com/common/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21536

:: 01.06.2010

ITAR-TASS informs that three AN-12 and AN-24 (one backup) airplanes, 12 MI-8 helicopters (one backup), 6 rescue vehicles (one backup) will support landing of the Soyuz TMA-17 capsule tomorrow morning.
The landing is expected at 07:08 on June 2, 145 km away from the city of Dzheskazgan, Kazakhstan. Airplanes and helicopters are on duty around all estimated landing spots, for the ballistic landing situation as well.
12 landing areas are maintained all over the world. Rescue teams of the country where the Soyuz lands will provide their initial care for the crew. Then, the Soyuz and the crew will be transported back to Russia.
Soyuz TMA-17 will return former ISS commander Russian Oleg Kotov, US Timothy Creamer and Japanese Soichi Noguchi back to the Earth after their 6-month mission in the International Space Station.

Soyuz TMA-17 landing plan


Crew

CDR Oleg Kotov

FE1 Timothy Creamer

FE2 Soichi Noguchi

Landing Locations

Primary: 47.21'N 69.35'E [ame="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.35N+69.58E&sll=47.316483,69.345703&sspn=3.433451,9.788818&ie=UTF8&ll=47.346267,69.680786&spn=1.823784,4.894409&z=8"]Primary: 146 km SE of Jezkazgan[/ame]

Secondary (for a BR mode): 49.48'N 65.28'E
[ame="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.8N+65.47E&sll=47.346267,69.680786&sspn=1.823784,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=49.993615,66.950684&spn=1.730417,4.894409&z=8"]Secondary: 150 km W of Tselinnyy[/ame]

Consolidated timeline of landing events

Event|Time Msc Summer|Time UTC|Time EST|Alt, km|Lat (deg,min)|Long (deg,min))|Velocity, m/s|g Load|Comments
Hooks Open command (DO15)|04 : 01|00 : 01|8 : 01pm||||||at 66108 rev of the station, 2572nd of the ship
Separation springs action/physical sep|04 : 04|00 : 04|8 : 04pm||||||delta-V ~0.12 m/sec
Deorbit Burn start|06:34:40|02:34:40|10:34:40 pm|354.8|-43.24|330.40|7,396|0.00||
Deorbit Burn complete|06:39:01|02:39:01|10:39:01 pm|344.6|-33.02|346.53|7,295|0.05||
Tri-Module separation|06:58:36|02:58:36|10:58:36|140.1|+26.23|035.37|7,546|0.00||
Atmospheric entry|07:01:43|03:01:43|11:01:43 pm|100.0|+35.21|045.46|7,595|0.00||
Controlled descent interface|07:03:17|03:03:17|11:03:17 pm|080.8|+39.28|051.50|7,594|0.09||
Max G-load|07:07:43|03:07:43|11:07:43 pm|036.2|+46.52|068.37|2,422|4.14||
Parachute deploy command|07:09:45|03:09:45|11:09:45 pm|010.8|+47.25|069.38|0.211|1.15||
21S Landing (DO1)|07:24:04|03:24:04|11:24:04 pm|000.0|+47.21|069.35|0.000|1.00|at 10:24:04 Local Kazakhstan Time|
Parachute deploy after Ballistic entry|07:08:00|03:08:00|11:08:00 pm|010.7|+49.48|065.28|0.203|1.25|Contingency|

Descent chart

References
http://www.mcc.rsa.ru



[eventTimer]2010-06-02 00:04:00?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] TMA-17 undocking


[eventTimer]2010-06-02 03:07:43?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] TMA-17 Peak G-Load


[eventTimer]2010-06-02 03:24:04?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] TMA-17 landing (nominally)

Weather forecast for Jezkazgan, Kazakhstan for June 2, 2010 (morning)

Hi: 21°
There is a 0% chance of precipitation. Sunny. Mild. Temperature of 21°C. Winds SW 5m/s. Humidity will be 23%.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS Daily Report for 31/05/2010:

Soyuz TMA-17/21S Descent Timeline Overview:

If everything proceeds nominally, the return to Earth of the TMA-17 spacecraft will proceed along the following approximate event sequence (all times GMT):
. ISS attitude control handover to RS ---------------------------- 10:35 PM Tue. 1st.
. ISS to free drift for undocking --------------------------------- 12:00 AM Wed. 2nd.
. Undock command --------------------------------------------- 12:01 AM
. Separation springs action/physical sep (delta-V ~0.12 m/sec) --- 12:04 AM.
. Separation burn #1 (15 sec, ~0.53 m/sec) --------------------- 12:07 AM.
. ISS maneuvers to Relaxation experiment attitude --------------- 2:15 AM.
. ISS maneuvers to duty attitude ------------------------------– 2:41 AM.
. ISS attitude control handover to US --------------------------- 3:30 AM.
. Deorbit Burn start (delta-V 115.2 m/sec) ----------------------- 2:34:40 AM.
. Deorbit Burn complete ----------------------------------------- 2:39:01 AM.
. Tri-Module separation (140 km alt) ----------------------------- 2:58:36 AM.
. Atmospheric entry (100 km alt, with ~170 m/sec) --------------- 3:01:43 AM.
. Entry Guidance start (80.8 km alt) ----------------------------- 3:03:17 AM.
. Max G-load (36.2 km alt) -------------------------------------- 3:07:43 AM.
. Parachute deploy command (10.8 km alt) ----------------------- 3:09:45 AM.
. 21S Landing (DO1) (loc. 47deg 21min N, 69deg 35min E) --------- 3:24:04 AM.
[EDT = GMT-4h | Moscow DMT = GMT+3h | Kazakhstan time = GMT+6h].


What the Soyuz TMA-17 crew will experience during their reentry/descent on Tuesday evening:

For the reentry, Kotov, Noguchi & Creamer will wear the Russian Kentavr anti-G suit under their Sokol suits. [The Kentavr garment is a protective anti-g suit ensemble to facilitate the return of a long-duration crewmember into the Earth gravity. Consisting of shorts, gaiters, underpants, jersey and socks, it acts as countermeasure for circulatory disturbance, prevents crewmember from overloading during descent and increases orthostatic tolerance during post-flight adaptation. Russian crewmembers are also advised to ingest fluid-electrolyte additives, viz., three sodium chloride tablets during breakfast and after the midday meal, each time with 300 ml of fluid, and two pills during the meal aboard Soyuz before deorbit.]

Before descent:
Special attention will be paid to the need for careful donning of the medical belt with sensors and securing tight contact between sensors and body.
During preparation for descent, before atmosphere reentry, crewmembers settle down comfortably in the Kazbek couches, fasten the belts, securing tight contact between body and the seat liner in the couch.

During de-orbit:
Dust particles starting to sink in the Descent Module (SA) cabin is the first indication of atmosphere reentry and beginning of G-load effect. From that time on, special attention is required as the loads increase rapidly.
Under G-load effect during atmosphere reentry the crew expects the following experience:
Sensation of G-load pressure on the body, burden in 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. Best is to "try not to swallow and talk at this moment". Crew should check vision and, if any disturbances occur, create additional tension of abdominal pressure and leg muscles (strain +abdomen by pulling in), in addition to the Kentavr anti-G suit.
During deployment of pilot parachute (0.62 & 4.5 square meters), drogue chute (16 sq.m.) and main (518 sq.m.) chutes the impact accelerations will be perceived as a "strong snatch". No reason to become concerned about this but one should be prepared that during the parachutes deployment and change ("rehook") of prime parachute to symmetrical suspension, swinging and spinning motion of the SA occurs, which involves vestibular (middle ear) irritations.

It is important to tighten restrain system to fasten pelvis and pectoral arch.
Vestibular irritation can occur in the form of different referred sensations such as vertigo, hyperhidrosis, postural illusions, general discomfort and nausea. To prevent vestibular irritation the crew should "limit head movement and eyes movement", as well as fix their sight on motionless objects.

Just before the landing (softened by six small rocket engines behind the heat shield):
Crew will be prepared for the vehicle impact with the ground, with their bodies fixed along the surface of the seat liner in advance. "Special attention should be paid to arm fixation to avoid the elbow and hand squat" (instruction). Landing speed: ~9.9 m/sec.

After landing:
Crew should not get up quickly from their seats to leave the SA. They were advised to stay in the couch for several minutes and only then stand up. In doing that, they should limit head and eyes movement and avoid excessive motions, proceeding slowly. Their body should not take up earth gravity in the upright position too quickly.

-----

Spaceflight Now’s Mission Status Center.

 

[SiberianTiger]

From ISS Daily Report for 31/05/2010:
. 21S Landing (DO1) --- 3:24:04 AM (loc. 47deg 21min N, 69deg 35min E)

Are you sure the fractional parts are angular minutes, not decimals?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Are you sure the fractional parts are angular minutes, not decimals?

That is exactly the way it is written in the ISS Daily Report - so I don't know whether they have written it correctly or not (these reports are not always 100% correct).

Minutes are usually denoted by a ' symbol. On the descent chart you posted, there is no ' after the 21. That leads me to think that the 21 may indeed be a decimal of a degree, not a minute (you obtain minutes by dividing the decimal by 60). However, if the 21 were a decimal, surely they would have written 47.21°, not 47°21?

So, I’m not entirely sure either way. :shrug:

 

[SiberianTiger]

That is exactly the way it is written in the ISS Daily Report - so I don't know whether they have written it correctly or not (these reports are not always 100% correct).

Minutes are usually denoted by a ' symbol. On the descent chart you posted, there is no ' after the 21. That leads me to think that the 21 may indeed be a decimal of a degree, not a minute (you obtain minutes by dividing the decimal by 60). However, if the 21 were a decimal, surely they would have written 47.21°, not 47°21?

So, I’m not entirely sure either way. :shrug:

I have confirmed they were minutes with an Energia man. Updated my locations.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

From ISS Daily Report for 01/06/2010:

TJ Creamer & Noguchi had several hours set aside for completing final crew departure preparations. [Soichi’s personal bags have already been returned on STS-132/ULF-4. Remaining activities included vacating personal “dresser drawers” in the LAB Port 1 rack and getting those locations prepped for Doug Wheelock & Shannon Walker, auditing some items to compare against the IMS (Inventory Management System) database, trashing used shoes, deerskin gloves, sleeping bag, comfort kit etc., providing the ground with counts for hygiene and other crew utensils, etc. Departure preps also involved restowing exercise equipment to be used by the Soyuz TMA-19/23S crew later this month.]

At 7:30 PM GMT, Soyuz CDR Oleg Kotov will begin activating the Soyuz TMA-17/21S spacecraft, docked at the SM Aft port, and check out its communications system.

At ~8:30 PM GMT, Oleg is expected to uninstall the QD (Quick Disconnect) screw clamps (BZV) of the SSVP docking & internal transfer mechanism, unrigidizing the coupling. [Other preparations are being conducted throughout the day by TsUP via KRL (Command Radio Link) during RGS (Russian Groundsite) passes: Pressurization of the Soyuz KDU (Combined Propulsion System) manifolds, charging of the BB & RB batteries in Soyuz from ISS, entering undock settings, and issuance of ballistics forms for the return flight.]

Closure of SM-side & Soyuz-side hatches (leaving the vestibule in-between) is scheduled for ~8:50 PM GMT, followed by the standard one-hour vestibule leak check.

-----

Bye!

Hi-res version.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

And the Soyuz hatch has been closed.

---------- Post added 2nd Jun 2010 at 01:08 AM ---------- Previous post was 1st Jun 2010 at 10:08 PM ----------

Soyuz TMA-17 has undocked from SM Aft and the separation burn has been completed.

---------- Post added at 01:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 AM ----------

Undocking video:​

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88EjbZ95T-I"]YouTube- Soyuz TMA-17 Expedition 23 Undocking[/ame]

 

[tblaxland]

The deorbit burn was successful.

 

[tblaxland]

Successful landing at 03:25 UTC has been confirmed :thumbup:

 

[SiberianTiger]

Touchdown picture:

Download the large size

 

[SiberianTiger]

Expedition 23 coming home (from http://discovery.amelito.com/cosmos/expedition-23-soyuz-tma-17-safely-landed/?utm_source=livejournal&utm_medium=livejournal)

see more below...

 

[SiberianTiger]

continued

Video

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Soyuz brings international crew back to Earth".

TJ Creamer is helped out of the Descent Module (SA).

TJ Creamer is carried away from the landing site while eating an apple - how's that for service?! I sure hope he remembered to tip those guys! It looks like the SA was tipped onto its side.

Soichi is carried away from the landing site.

Oleg is carried away from the landing site.

For hi-res versions, see here.

Hatch closure video.​

Post-landing crew egress video.​

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfpRyI-FxP4"]YouTube- Soyuz TMA-17 Crew egress return to earth[/ame]

---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:38 PM ----------

I think those ones were taken prior to the TMA-17 relocation last month.

I spy NASA Astronaut Kochi Wakata and Chief NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson!

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 PM ----------

From ISS Daily Report for 02/06/2010:

Yest posadka! (We have Landing!) After 162 days 18 hrs 33 min in space (160 days docked to ISS), Soyuz TMA-17/21S landed successfully last night in central Kazakhstan near Zhezkazgan (known today as the headquarters of the copper conglomerate Kazakhmys and in Soviet times as the site of the Gulag labor camp Kengir. The crew was in excellent condition. The descent capsule toppled on its side.
[TMA-17 undocked from the SM Aft port this morning at 12:04 AM GMT, after the crew had performed leak checks of the vestibule area between the SM and the Soyuz spacecraft, of their Sokol suits and of the hatch between the Descent Module (SA) and Orbital Module (BO). Three minutes after physical undocking, Soyuz performed a 15 sec separation burn. The actual de-orbit burn of 4 min 19 sec duration came at 2:34 AM GMT, resulting in a 115.2 m/sec deceleration. Tri-module separation occurred at 2:58 AM GMT. 16 sec after the separation command, software pitched the Instrumentation/Propulsion Module (PAO) in the rear to a specific angle (-78.5 deg from reference axis) which, if the PAO would have remained connected to the SA/Descent Module, would have resulted in enough heating on the connecting truss to melt it, thus ensuring separation. Atmospheric entry followed at 3:00 AM GMT and nominal parachute deployment at 3:10 AM GMT. Following initial observation by Russian SAR (Search & Recovery) personnel, the Soyuz vehicle landed at 3:25 AM GMT. The crew was flown by helicopter to Karaganda where TJ Creamer & Soichi Noguchi boarded the waiting NASA Gulfstream airplane which today is bringing the two crewmembers back to Houston (with 2 refueling stops) - the first direct return for US crewmembers. Oleg Kotov meanwhile was flown on the GCTC Tu-154 back to Chkalovsky airfield of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) at Zvesdniy Gorodok (Star City). Kotov’s total time in space now is 360 days (two ISS missions), Noguchi has logged 177 days (1 ISS mission & 1 Shuttle mission, STS-114) & Creamer has 163 days (1 ISS mission).]

-----

Click here for more landing photos from Roscosmos.

I especially like TJ's Sokol Matryoshka!

---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------

Some videos (sorry, not available on YouTube):

Landing.

Landing replay.

Post-Landing Activities and Interviews with TJ Creamer and Soichi Noguchi.

---------- Post added at 10:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------

They've been released a little late, but here are the images of last month's relocation:

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The crew was flown by helicopter to Karaganda where TJ Creamer & Soichi Noguchi boarded the waiting NASA Gulfstream airplane which today is bringing the two crewmembers back to Houston (with 2 refueling stops) - the first direct return for US crewmembers.

Do you know what is behind such a change to the procedure? Is it going to be permanent? And also, Noguchi is not a US crewmember, so why is he flown to Houston?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Do you know what is behind such a change to the procedure? Is it going to be permanent? And also, Noguchi is not a US crewmember, so why is he flown to Houston?

I don't know why for certain, but I think it's because some US crewmembers have complained about Russian post-flight procedures (like having to spend 2 weeks in Star City before being able to return to Houston)! :OMG:
It is going to be a permanent fixture from now on.
Noguchi is being flown to Houston because NASA are officially responsible for handling all JAXA/ESA/CSA crewmember relations with Roscosmos.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I don't know why for certain, but I think it's because some US crewmembers have complained about Russian post-flight procedures (like having to spend 2 weeks in Star City before being able to return to Houston)!

Does it also mean that Russian doctors are not responsible for their long duration post-flight rehabilitation, even in case of undesired emergencies, or were some medical staff transferred to Houston?

Bad things happened when patients ran away from care too quickly... Like with Lee Soyeon, 1st Korean astronaut.