SOYUZ\ISS MISSION UPDATES

[SiberianTiger]

Spacecraft separation confirmed, the Souyz TMA-12 is in orbit now!

 

[unussapiens]

You even gave updates during the launch! I was too busy watching it.

Good job to everyone involved in this mission.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The current relative positions of the TMA-12 and the ISS can be tracked here:
http://www.mcc.rsa.ru/trassa.htm

Let me remind that docking will take place this Thursday,
10.04.2008, 17:00 MSD
April 10, 2008, 13:00 GMT
April 10, 2008, 9:00 A.M. EDT

 

[simonpro]

I jusdt read this:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/08/soyuz.korea.ap/index.html

And it mentions:
" The U.S. space agency NASA said Yi was also the youngest female astronaut."

How old was Valentina Tereshkova when she flew? I thought she was 26 or 27...

 

[Urwumpe]

Tereshkova was exactly 26 years old. Also many other Russian astronauts had also been fairly young when they did their first flight.

The youngest astronaut in the NASA astronaut corps is Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger - she is 32 now and did not yet fly.

 

[Notebook]

If anyone missed it, as I did, the BBC has a quick reprise of the launch:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/ne.../7336321.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The launch photo report

 

[SiberianTiger]

Another video footage

Those who miss the sound of the rocket engines in the published NASA TV footage, may watch the relevant Russia Today's news issue:

http://russiatoday.ru/scitech/news/23223/video

 

[SiberianTiger]

Problem with the Commander's spacesuit

Kind of insider's information here. During the final pre-launch checks, a zip fastener of Sergey Volkov suit was torn (one at the power layer). It's possible that he won't be able to pressurize his Sokol in case of an emergency. Note that this was not confirmed by Roscosmos or Zvezda, the suit's manufacturer, yet.

There's no spare suit aboard.

 

[DaveS]

Kind of insider's information here. During the final pre-launch checks, a zip fastener of Sergey Volkov suit was torn (one at the power layer). It's possible that he won't be able to pressurize his Sokol in case of an emergency. Note that this was not confirmed by Roscosmos or Zvezda, the suit's manufacturer, yet.

There's no spare suit aboard.

Inside info? Not quite! Was announced in the NASA TV webcast of the launch and reportedly fixed.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Inside info? Not quite! Was announced in the NASA TV webcast of the launch and reportedly fixed.

According to the man from TSUP, from whom I learned the news, it's hardly fixed: they will most probably have to pack a replacement spacesuit to the nearest Progress.

 

[simonpro]

Yeah, I hadn't heard anything about the problem being fixed. There is actual damage to the fabric of the suit itself, so that is rather difficult to do anything about.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Docking!

April 10, 2008, MCC-M – S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, Korolev.
The Russian Soyuz TMA-12 manned transport space vehicle is docked to the International Space Station.
Following two-day free flight in near-earth orbit, the Soyuz TMA-12 approached the ISS. Berthing was performed in an automatic mode.
At 16:57 Moscow Time the space vehicle docking assembly came into contact with the Docking Compartment/Module Pirs. At that time the ISS was within the Russian ground site coverage.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Docking video link

http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3554&Itemid=1

 

[Notebook]

Rather lovely!

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Soyuz TMA-13 / ISS Expedition 18

The primary crew are:

Commander: Yuri Lonchakov, Russia, Air Force Colonel, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center Team, 2 space missions, 22 days 18 h 24 m 23 s in space

Flight Engineer: Michael Fincke, USA, USAF Colonel, 1 space mission, 187 days, 21 h 16 m 12 s in space

Flight Participant: Richard Garriott, USA, No previous space mission experience

Primary Crew's callsign: "Титан" ([Tee-tahn], means "Titan" in Russian)

Notice the Skylab Mission II patch he wears in honour of his father, Owen K. Garriott:

The set launch date and time is
October 12, 2008, 11:01:25 Moscow Summer Time (08:01:25 UTC)

The space craft is Soyuz TMA-13 (vehicle #223)

No fuss about number 13, all the past Russian missions signed #13 were quite smooth.


-----Posted Added-----


Here it is:

As for me, the another one was better. You can notice, however, that it's this one which is at the Cosmonauts' sleeves.

 

[SiberianTiger]

TMA-13's fairing rolled over

On Sunday, October 5, in the assembly building of the area 254 of Baikonur Cosmodrome a rolling of the payload fairing over the Soyuz TMA-13 spaceship took place. The preparations for the expedition to the ISS are under way. The works are performed by RKK Energa, TsSKB Progress and other Roscoscmos reporting enterpises' personnel. The launch of the Soyuz-FG LV carrying the Soyuz TMA-13 spaceship is planned for October 12.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Guys,

I'm minding the office heavily. Not sure I can properly cover the coming Soyuz TMA-13 launch. Anybody is up to?


-----Posted Added-----


09-10-2008 Baikonur: Final Stages of Soyuz TMA-13 Prelaunch Processing

Today, assembly of the launch escape propulsion system, upper composite and rocket was performed at the integration and test building, site 112, Baikonur space port.

The operations are performed in line with the schedule; prelaunch tests continue.


Roscosmos and TSENKI.COM Press Offices

October 10, 2008, Baikonur launch site, branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia

A rollout of the Soyuz spacecraft from the assembly-test facility to the launch site was provided. The Soyuz-FG launch vehicle with the Soyuz TMA-13 transport spacecraft was erected on the launch pad. Operations under the launch minus two days program began.
The launch of the Soyuz-FG integrated launch vehicle with the Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft to the ISS Orbital Complex is planned for October 12, 2008 at 11:01 Moscow time.

-----Posted Added-----


11-10-2008 ISS-17, ISS-18, VC-15 Joint Mission Plan (October 12-24, 2008)

Time: Moscow Summer

Oct. 12, Sunday
Soyuz FG launcher/ Soyuz TMA-13 vehicle lift-off – 11:01
Soyuz TMA-13- LEO insertion
The first (double-burn) ISS long- range approach maneuver

Oct. 13, Monday
The second (single-burn) ISS long- range approach maneuver

Oct. 14, Tuesday
Soyuz TMA-13- autonomous ISS rendezvous
Soyuz TMA-13/ISS docking (to FGB-Zarya nadir port) ~ 12:33
TV-report: «Opening transfer hatches and greetings of ISS-17/Soyuz TMA-13 crews» (13:55-14:15)
Transfer of the equipment from Soyuz TMA-13
Transfer of the VC-15 SFP`s (space flight participant) seat-liner from Soyuz TMA-13 to Soyuz TMA-12
Crew rotation procedure (ISS-17-ISS-18)
Temporary deactivation of Soyuz TMA-13
Bio-experiments: Biorisk* (study of the space environment impacts on `microorganism- substrates` systems installed on inner and outer station`s surfaces, and influences of the micro-flora in the habitats on various material samples), Regeneration * (study of electrical physical and morphological parameters of bio-objects aimed at detection of O-g influence on their regeneration processes)
Life-science experiment Matreshka-R * (study of radiation environment dynamics in the station and improvement of space dosimetry equipment)
Bio-technological experiments: Antigen * (bio-sample exposure), Biotrek * (study of space radiation heavy particle flows influence on genetic properties of producent cells in biologically active substances), Ginseng-2* (boosting biological activity of ginseng), Conjugation * (validation of new recombinant producing strains methods for the proteins valuable for medical purposes by applying bacterial conjugation and plasmid mobilization technical methods during space flight), Lactolen* (study of the space environment effects on growing, genetic and physiological parameters of the lactolen producent strain), Aril* (development of the directed modification in the interleikin producent strains` parameters by exposing the microorganism strains in orbit with further selection in the lab), OChB* (development of the productiveness improvement methods for the ferment producent strains by microorganism incubation during space mission with further selection in the lab), Bioemulsion* (experimental testing of the autonomous closed-type bioreactor and emulsion nutrient with the aim to obtain microorganism biomass and biologically active samples, with the further objective to create new high-productive technologies for making medicines in microgravity).
Technical experiments: «Rokviss»* (check of the manipulator elements and nodes), BTN-Neutron* (registration of high-energy neutron flows), GTS* (validation of the system for high-precision local timing in any spot of the Earth), Izgib (Curve) (registration of the levels in micro-accelerations which are provided by the equipment functioning on-board), ISS environment (studying ISS parameters to evaluate its industrial environment for different research activities
Геофизический эксперимент Vsplesk * (Splash)(monitoring of the seismic effects in near-Earth space)
Technological experiment Crystallizer * (crystallization of the biological macromolecules and obtaining bio-crystal films in microgravity)
ECLSS (Environment Control and Life Support System) maintenance operations *
VC-15 (Visiting Crew-15) PROGRAM:
Bio-technological experiment PCG
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, SLЕЕP-G, MOP-G
Familiarization with the ISS

* To be performed every day during the mission

Oct. 15, Wednesday
Replacement of the on-board files

Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Filling Electron water containers
Life-science experiment Pneumocard (study of space influence on vegetative regulation of blood circulation, breathing and contractile hearth function during long-term space missions)
Technical experiment Izgib
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, MOP-G, SLЕЕP-G, IMMUNO-G, CORNEA-G
Amateur RF communication session
Photographing of the Earth

Oct. 16, Thursday

Hand-over from ISS-17 to ISS-18
Test of Soyu TMA-12- Soyuz TMA-13 RF-link
Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Technical experiment Izgib
Life-science experiment Pneumocard
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, MOP-G, SLЕЕP-G, CORNEA-G
Educational project PICTURE
Photographing of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session
TV-report

Oct. 17, Friday
Training with negative pressure applied to the lower part of the body
Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Hand-over from ISS-17 to ISS-18
Press-conference for Russian mass media (11:40-11:55)
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, MOP-G, SLЕЕP-G, IMMUNO-G, CORNEA-G
Technical experiment DHL-G
Photographing of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session

Oct. 18, Saturday

Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Hand-over from ISS-17 to ISS-18
Regeneration of the absorbing cartridge in the micro-contaminant purification filter
Symbolic activities. Signing and stamping the envelopes
Press-conference for US mass media
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, SLЕЕP-G, MOP-G, IMMUNO-G, CORNEA-G
Photographing of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session
TV-report

Oct. 19, Sunday

Hand-over from ISS-17 to ISS-18
Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Regeneration of the absorbing cartridge in the micro-contaminant purification filter
Life-science experiment Pilot (validation of procedures and methods for the cosmonauts to maintain skills in complicated vehicle control modes)
Technical experiment Econ (study of the ISS RS prospective capabilities for ecological monitoring of various objects in Russia and other states)
Геофизический эксперимент Diatomea (study of the ocean aimed at detection of the bio-productive areas)
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, SLЕЕP-G, MOP-G, IMMUNO-G, CORNEA-G
Photo- and video-shooting of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session
TV-report

Oct. 20, Monday

Hand-over from ISS-17 to ISS-18
Recharging Soyuz TMA-13 buffer and redundant batteries
Training with negative pressure applied to the lower part of the body
Crew training of Soyuz TMA-12 descent
Life-science experiment Sonokard (validation of the medical system by using contactless monitoring of the crew physiological parameters during sleeping time)
Technical experiment Econ
Technological experiment Crystallizer
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, SLЕЕP-G, MOP-G, CORNEA-G
Symbolic activities
Photographing of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session
TV-report

Oct. 21, Tuesday


Accommodation of the equipment to be returned in Soyuz TMA-12
Session with the scholars- participants of International Space Olympic Games
Life-science experiment Sonocard
Technical experiment BAR (validation of the methods to be applied for detecting signs of air leak in the ISS modules)
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiments: MUSCLE-G, MOP-G, IMMUNO-G, CORNEA-G
Symbolic activities
Photographing of the Earth
Amateur RF communication session

Oct. 22, Wednesday

Deactivation of the thermal heating system of the Soyuz TMA-12 descent control system
Accommodation of the equipment to be returned in Soyuz TMA-12
ISS Commanders` rotation ceremony
Monitoring of the micro-ecological habitable environment
Filling Electron water containers
Life-science experiment Sonocard
Technical experiment BAR
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Life-science experiment SLЕЕP-G
Bio-technological experiment PCG
Photographing of the Earth
TV-report
Amateur RF communication session

Oct. 23, Thursday

Transfer of the returned experiments to Soyuz TMA-12
Report about completing Soyuz TMA-12 cargo accommodation
Reactivation of the Soyuz TMA-12 onboard systems
VC-15 PROGRAM:
Bio-technological experiment PCG
Photographing of the Earth

Oct. 24, Friday

TV-report: «Crews` Farewell» (01:05-01:25)
Closure of the transfer hatches
Soyuz TMA-12/ISS undocking. Soyuz TMA-13 departure from the ISS (from the Pirs docking compartment) – 04:12
Soyuz TMA-12 reentry
Landing of the reentry compartment – 07:36

Nomenclature and sequence of the operations to be performed may vary depending on real circumstances


Roscosmos and MCC-M Press Offices

 

[Notebook]

I thonk Nasa has some coverage here:-
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

N.


-----Posted Added-----


T -5 minutes.


-----Posted Added-----


Nice launch, boosters seperated, and launch tower jettisoned.

N.


-----Posted Added-----


Third stage cut-off and seperation.

 

[SlyCoopersButt]

A smooth ascent.They are now reading some booklets and enjoying the microgravity!