Soyuz TMA-16 atop Soyuz FG on September 30, 2009

[Notebook]

Was there a bit of confusion, over automatic or manual docking?

N.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Somebody on board is sneezing. Got a cold?..

---------- Post added at 12:34 ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 ----------

Was there a bit of confusion, over automatic or manual docking?

N.

They are going on automatic sequence, judging by the top-left of the screen.

---------- Post added at 12:35 ---------- Previous post was at 12:34 ----------

They are coming for the aft port, BTW (I was wrong about the port).

---------- Post added at 12:36 ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 ----------

There's capture.

---------- Post added at 12:37 ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 ----------

And here it is, the historical moment! For the 1st time, 3 Russian space ships are docked to the ISS!

---------- Post added at 13:55 ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 ----------

Yeah, I didn't believe him as well but he has science on his side... The ESA reports on the Foton launcher crash had the booster stage and the separation system described in all details and how it contributed all to the failure.

Too bad those ESA reports aren't available. Do you remember who did the investigation? Were those report translations of some Russian sources?

Regarding astronaut's add-on, I know he was using http://www.buran.ru/htm/gud 11.htm and some formerly classified Glushko's technical book as his sources.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Somebody on board is sneezing. Got a cold?..

Oh no, it might be Swine Flu!

The ISS will become an orbiting quarantine complex!

At least they'll be able to study the behaviour of the virus in microgravity! :rofl:

 

[SiberianTiger]

http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/...es_soyuz_relocation/index.html?source=r_space

Two members of the International Space Station’s Expedition 22 crew successfully delivered the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft to its new location Thursday morning.


Soyuz Commander and Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev undocked the spacecraft from the aft port of the Zvezda service module at 5:03 a.m. EST and docked it to the Poisk module at 5:24 a.m., marking the first docking to the new module. Expedition 22 Commander Jeff Williams accompanied Suraev.


While Suraev and Williams conducted the brief flyover to Poisk, Flight Engineers Oleg Kotov, T.J. Creamer and Soichi Noguchi looked on from inside the orbital outpost and captured the activity through photo-documentation.

Video links:
mms://193.233.61.171/docking/perestykovka_soyuztma16_21012010.wmv

Expedition - 22 Soyuz TMA-16 Relocation (90 mb)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=1235&Itemid=

 

[Turbinator]

Video links:
mms://193.233.61.171/docking/perestykovka_soyuztma16_21012010.wmv

Expedition - 22 Soyuz TMA-16 Relocation (90 mb)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=1235&Itemid=

.wma

 

[SiberianTiger]

.wma

What's the big deal, please?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's a YouTube version of the relocation video, for anyone that wants it.

 

[Turbinator]

The .wma video format is not the worlds best .avi in mpeg4 would be a far better choice.

 

[Donamy]

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[TSPenguin]

The .wma video format is not the worlds best .avi in mpeg4 would be a far better choice.

WMA is an audio format. AVI is a container and can not be streamed. AVI can hold MPEG4/ASP at best.
But this is going way off-topic, so let's stop the format moaning.

 

[Turbinator]

It was a type, typing a instead of v, however same thing they are both microsoft rips (to avoid paying patent rights) of the .mp3 and the .avi container
For streaming video nothing beats the .mov format.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Some photos of the Soyuz TMA-16 relocation are now up in the Expedition 22 Image Gallery (see pages 37 & 38).
www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-22/ndxpage38.html

This photo is especially nice - ISS viewed from Soyuz TMA-16 during the relocation! :thumbup:
Note the recently relocated ESP-3 at it’s new location on the lower S3 Truss (previous location was on the upper P3 Truss)!

Hi-res: www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-22/hires/iss022e033320.jpg

 

[tblaxland]

With the TMA-16's undocking imminent, there was an interesting description of what the TMA-16 descent experience will be like posted in the ISS Daily Reports that I thought was worth sharing:
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/reports/iss_reports/index.html

What the Soyuz TMA-16 crew will experience during their reentry/descent tonight:

* For the reentry, Suraev & Williams 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. They and their body should not take up earth gravity in the upright position too quickly.

There is also a detailed timeline posted there.

 

[Donamy]

I skimmed through and didn't see actual G-load numbers. What is the maxmum, about 9g's ?

 

[tblaxland]

I skimmed through and didn't see actual G-load numbers. What is the maxmum, about 9g's ?

4 g for a nominal lifting re-entry, 8.5 g for a ballistic re-entry.

EDIT: Lots of juicy information on Suzy's site: http://suzymchale.com/ruspace/soyland.html

 

[SiberianTiger]

Soyuz TMA-16 landing plan


Crew

CDR Maxim Suraev

FE1 Jeffrey Williams

Landing Locations

Primary: 50.43N 67.20E map link

Secondary (for a BR mode): 49.28N 61.16E map link

Consolidated timeline of landing events

Event|Time Msc|Time UTC|Time EST|Alt, km|Lat|Long|Velocity, m/s|g Load|Comments
Hooks Open command (DO15)|11 : 00|8 : 00|3 : 00am||||||at 64918 rev of the station, 2969th of the ship
Separation springs action/physical sep|11 : 03|8 : 03|3 : 03am||||||delta-V ~0.12 m/sec
Deorbit Burn start|13 : 33 : 00|10 : 33 : 00|5 : 33 : 00am|359.5|-39.05|322.41|7392|0.00|
Deorbit Burn complete|13 : 37 : 16|10 : 37 : 16|5 : 37 : 16am|349.6|-27.58|336.36|7291|0.05||
Tri-Module separation|13 : 57 : 16|10 : 57 : 16|5 : 57 : 16am|139.9|+32.39|026.27|7547|0.00||
Atmospheric entry|14 : 00 : 11|11 : 00 : 11|6 : 00 : 11am|101.8|+40.21|037.24|7594|0.00||
Controlled descent interface|14 : 01 : 52|11 : 01 : 52|6 : 01 : 52am|80.6|+44.14|045.00|7596|0.08||
Max G-load|14 : 06 : 43|11 : 06 : 43|6 : 06 : 43am|33.9|+50.41|065.47|2235|4.15||
Parachute deploy command|14 : 08 : 39|11 : 08 : 39|6 : 08 : 39am|10.6|+50.40|067.03|212|1.19||
20S Landing (DO1)|14 : 22 : 58|11 : 22 : 58|6 : 22 : 58am|0.0|+50.43|067.20|0|1.00|17:23 local Kazakhstan|
Parachute deploy after Ballistic entry|14 : 06 : 35|11 : 06 : 35|6 : 06 : 35am|10.7|+49.28|061.16|208|1.22|Contingency|

Descent chart

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



[eventTimer]2010-03-18 08:03:00?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] TMA-16 undocking


[eventTimer]2010-03-18 11:22:58?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] TMA-16 landing

Weather forecast for Arkalyk, Kazakhstan for March 18, 2010

Hi: -2°
Lo: -9°
There is a 0% chance of precipitation. Sunny. Cold. Temperature of -2°C. Winds SW 28km. Humidity will be 39% with a dewpoint of -14° and feels-like temperature of -9°C.

Live feed is on air on NASA TV.

---------- Post added at 11:46 ---------- Previous post was at 11:44 ----------

I skimmed through and didn't see actual G-load numbers. What is the maxmum, about 9g's ?

The nominal value for today is 4.15 at 33.9 km alt. It's interesting that the last time it was 3.92 at 41.2 km. Could it be because of the fewer crew?

 

[Urwumpe]

Ballistic reentry from ISS altitudes should be at 9g, the g loading is only a function of the orbit shape before reentry, while temperature includes also vessel aerodynamics. an inflatable heat shield gets the same deceleration as a massive Uranium sphere. The maximum deceleration a Soyuz capsule attained during ballistic reentry was 21g, was a launch abort with steeper than normal descent.

 

[SiberianTiger]

The maximum deceleration a Soyuz capsule attained during ballistic reentry was 21g, was a launch abort with steeper than normal descent.

They were actually flying inverted that time, AFAIK.

 

[Urwumpe]

They were actually flying inverted that time, AFAIK.

I am not sure if they flew inverted, the book doesn't say anything about the descend mode, so I assumed it to be ballistic as default.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I am not sure if they flew inverted, the book doesn't say anything about the descend mode, so I assumed it to be ballistic as default.

I'm not completely sure either, - at least the entry angle was way off nominal.