SOYUZ\ISS MISSION UPDATES

[SiberianTiger]

Soyuz TMA-12 / ISS Expedition 17

The next long-term expedition to the ISS is scheduled to start at April 8, 2008.

Here is a picture of the primary crew, from left to right are: First Korean Astronaut Yi Soyon, Soyuz and station Commander Sergey Volkov, Soyuz and station Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko.

This crew is going to become one of the youngest crews who ever flew a Soyuz.

Here are the mission patches for the Soyuz crew and the Korean expedition:

 

[SiberianTiger]

Meanwhile, the assembling of the Soyuz-FG launch vehicle intended for launching Souyz TMA-12, and preparations of the space ship itself are underway at the areas 112 and 254 of Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Soyuz-FG undergoes assembly of the second stage and electrical test of the first stage boosters.

TMA-12 is having installed the Cosmonauts' seats.

 

[Cosmos]

Have you heard anything more about the Korean crew switch scandal. I think the new crew member is very nice. but I can't imagine how destroyed the first astronaut is for being bumped for wanting to learn more about the flight.

 

[ryan]

Why is it that the Russian Expeditions to the ISS why are they the ones who always stay up there like some of the shuttle crews members never stay up there.

 

[Cosmos]

Why is it that the Russian Expeditions to the ISS why are they the ones who always stay up there like some of the shuttle crews members never stay up there.

I'm not sure exactly why, but I like it. I think everyone needs a part in building the Station and really hope that the Chinese get to come to the ISS. The worst of enemies on the ground can be the best friends in space.

 

[ryan]

I rekon Australia should start doing a space program start with the small stuff and work up and up and up. I knew John Howard wouldnt care but now Kevin Rudd is in office we have a small chance of having a space program.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Have you heard anything more about the Korean crew switch scandal. I think the new crew member is very nice. but I can't imagine how destroyed the first astronaut is for being bumped for wanting to learn more about the flight.

Yep, I did (and commented on this at the old m6 forum). Ko San was blamed in having broken the Cosmonaut's code of conduct by collecting classified books and sending them over to Korea. His behavior was in contradiction with the contract signed between the governments and certainly has not got welcomed by Roscosmos officials. It would be to outright to say that the Korean astronaut had a secret agenda, but surely his violation of the rules set for international team members was an unprecedented event. I think Roscosmos couldn't be any nicer towards him having just put him to the back-up crew (so that he still mainatins a chance of flying in case something happens to Yi Soyon).

 

[SiberianTiger]

Why is it that the Russian Expeditions to the ISS why are they the ones who always stay up there like some of the shuttle crews members never stay up there.

That's simply not correct. The latest exaple is Dan Tani who arrived and departed by a shuttle and spent several months at the ISS. Peggy Whitson (currently, the Commander of the ISS) is an American and is going to stay there a half of the year too. It's best to call Soyuz expedition long term rather than Russian.

 

[Missioncmdr]

Why is it that the Russian Expeditions to the ISS why are they the ones who always stay up there like some of the shuttle crews members never stay up there.

You also have to remember that Space Shuttles cannot stay in space nearly as long as a Soyuz spacecraft. A Shuttle crewmember might left by one Shuttle and then be picked up by another.

 

[ryan]

Why cant the shuttle stay up there for very long?

 

[SiberianTiger]

Why cant the shuttle stay up there for very long?

Mostly because it powered by fuel cells, and they rely on consumables. This is unlike a Soyuz, which is a much simpler, much less power consuming and a solar-powered design. It also can merge into the station's life support circuits, thus allowing to come in and go out of the internal volume, like if it was another station's module.

Also, there's a demand for a 'lifeboat' vehicle up there, for the crew to be able to leave the station in case of emergency and land anywhere at Earth. So far, only Souyz is capable of that.

 

[ryan]

Oh ok it will be better when NASA starts using orion to re-supply the ISS then it will probaply get much bigger (the ISS)

 

[SiberianTiger]

Oleg Kononenko is planning to do some artistry in space

The Flight Engineer of the ISS Expedition 17 Oleg Kononenko is planning to do some artistry in space: "I took up arts school some time ago. I'm taking my pencils with me and will be possibly doing some drawing in space", said Oleg at his pre-flight interview in the Star City. The Cosmonaut also mentioned that during his training he tried to adapt his crayon and painting techniques for zero-g, but has eventually chosen pencils.

 

[ryan]

Ha Ha good luck drawing in zero g i can barely draw in my fathers car, but its good airtistry is going into space but it wont be the last time, for example good old Alan Bean.

 

[simonpro]

Trying to write anything in zero-g is a pain in the ass, you keep being pushed away from the paper if you are leaning on something. I usually ended up having to write with one hand, hold on to the wall with another hand and then a foot to something, not much fun.

Also, where did you hear they are one of the youngest crews? There have been plenty of younger crews in the past. This flight has: 29, 35, 44 I think. A lot of the Salyut crews were about the same average age.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Also, where did you hear they are one of the youngest crews? There have been plenty of younger crews in the past. This flight has: 29, 35, 44 I think. A lot of the Salyut crews were about the same average age.

Well, OK, the youngest one since I actively track the spaceflight. For nearly 5 years.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The primary and back-up crews have arrived at Baikonur today:

 

[ryan]

Cool with all the jackets they look likes it cold over there.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Cool with all the jackets they look likes it cold over there.

Not too cold, I think: the daytime temperature for Baikonur now tops 20 degrees. It might be quite windy at an airfield or any other open space, though.

BTW, many people confirmed that April is the best month in those parts: it's the time steppe flowers begin blossoming.

 

[ryan]

But sadly it will kind of been ruined by a huge explosion and a huge rocket shooting off into the sky.