Soyuz TMA-05M

Last updated
Soyuz TMA-05M
Operator Roskosmos
COSPAR ID 2012-037A OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 38671
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Soyuz-TMA 11F747
Manufacturer RKK Energia
Crew
Crew size3
Members Yuri Malenchenko
Sunita Williams
Akihiko Hoshide
CallsignAgate
Start of mission
Launch date15 July 2012, 02:40:03 (2012-07-15UTC02:40:03Z) UTC [1] [2]
Rocket Soyuz-FG
Launch site Baikonur 1/5
End of mission
Landing date19 November 2012, 01:53:30 (2012-11-19UTC01:53:31Z) UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Docking with ISS
Docking port Rassvet nadir
Docking date17 July 2012
04:51 UTC
Undocking date18 November 2012
22:26 UTC
Time docked124d 17h 35m
Soyuz TMA-05M crew.jpg
(l-r) Malenchenko, Williams and Hoshide
Soyuz programme
(Crewed missions)
 

Soyuz TMA-05M was the 114th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft. It was launched on 15 July 2012, transporting three members of the Expedition 32 crew to the International Space Station (ISS). [1] [3] The Soyuz remained docked to the ISS throughout the mission to serve as an emergency escape vehicle. The launch also coincided with the 37th anniversary of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Soyuz TMA-05M successfully returned to Earth on 19 November 2012. [4]

Contents

Crew

Position [5] [6] [7] Crew member
Commander Flag of Russia.svg Yuri Malenchenko, Roscosmos
Expedition 32
Fifth spaceflight
Flight Engineer 1 Flag of the United States.svg Sunita Williams, NASA
Expedition 32
Second spaceflight
Flight Engineer 2 Flag of Japan.svg Akihiko Hoshide, JAXA
Expedition 32
Second spaceflight

Backup crew

Position [8] Crew Member
Commander Flag of Russia.svg Roman Romanenko, Roscosmos
Flight Engineer 1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chris Hadfield, CSA
Flight Engineer 2 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas Marshburn, NASA

Launch

The Soyuz TMA-05M mission lifts-off to the ISS on 15 July 2012. Soyuz TMA-05M rocket launches from Baikonur 4.jpg
The Soyuz TMA-05M mission lifts-off to the ISS on 15 July 2012.

Soyuz TMA-05M was launched atop of a Soyuz FG rocket at 2:40 GMT on July 15, 2012 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Following the flawless launch, the Soyuz spacecraft successfully achieved orbital insertion 9 minutes later and began its 34-orbit journey to the Space Station.

Docking

The spacecraft shortly before docking with the ISS on 17 July 2012. Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft approaches the ISS.jpg
The spacecraft shortly before docking with the ISS on 17 July 2012.

As part of its phasing maneuvers to catch up with the ISS, 3.5 and 4.5 hours into the mission, the Soyuz Spacecraft performed two large SKD Main Propulsion System Burns changing the vehicle's speed by 41.5 m/s and 23.9 m/s, respectively. [9] These burns were followed by a minor maneuver on July 16 for a velocity change of two m/s. The on time automated docking sequence began at 2:31 GMT on July 17, 2012.

The Crew activated the KURS Navigation System that provides accurate range and velocity data for the spacecraft's on-board computers. The station crew of Padalka, Revin and Acaba got up early changing their sleep cycles to support the rendezvous and docking operations of the Soyuz. Although the rendezvous and docking sequence is fully automated, cosmonaut Malenchenko and Russian mission controllers in Korolev, Moscow monitored the systems as well. As Soyuz TMA-05M approached the ISS, the spacecraft completed a series of trajectory correction maneuvers. At a range of 8 Kilometers to the space station, the Soyuz activated its TV system needed for automated operation monitoring. At a distance of 300 meters to the space station, Russian flight controllers issued a "GO" for the Flyaround to align Soyuz TMA-05M with the docking port on the Rassvet Module.

With the Flyaround completed, a short period of Stationkeeping was initiated at a range of 190 meters. The opportunity gave the flight controllers a chance to check the Soyuz systems and the alignment with the docking port. The crew was given a "GO" and the final approach commenced at 4:40 GMT.

Soyuz TMA-05M completed a successful docking at 4:51 GMT while the space station was flying high above North-East Kazakhstan: one minute earlier than planned. Shortly after, the docking probe was retracted and hooks started closing to establish the hard mate. The hard mate was followed by the standard one-hour leak check operations. After leak checks were completed, the crew opened the hatches and floated into the ISS. The arrival of Malenchenko, Williams and Hoshide on board Soyuz TMA-05M restored the space station's crew to full strength at six.

Return to Earth

Soyuz TMA-05M undocked from the ISS on 18 November 2012 at 10:26 PM (GMT), carrying Hoshide, Malenchenko and Williams, and landed safely at 1:53:30 AM (GMT) the following day. [4] A source at Energia told the Novosti news agency that the location was 51°.05 N, 67°.16 E in Kazakhstan, about 4.7 km from the aim point. Confusion during the NASA TV broadcast of the event led to some, [10] including NASA's own Media Services, [11] recording the landing time incorrectly as 01:56. The spacecraft's departure marked the end of Expedition 33 and the start of Expedition 34.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-2</span> 2003 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-2 was a Soyuz mission to the International Space Station (ISS) launched by a Soyuz FG launch vehicle. The spacecraft docked with the ISS on April 28, 2003 and undocked on October 10, 2003. Soyuz TMA-2 was the second flight for the TMA modification of the Soyuz spacecraft, and the 6th Soyuz to fly to the ISS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuri Malenchenko</span> Russian cosmonaut (born 1961)

Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko is a retired Russian cosmonaut. Malenchenko became the first person to marry in space, on 10 August 2003, when he married Ekaterina Dmitrieva, who was in Texas, while he was 240 miles (390 km) over New Zealand, on the International Space Station. As of June 2016, Malenchenko ranks second for career time in space due to his time on both Mir and the International Space Station (ISS). He is a former commander of the International Space Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gennady Padalka</span> Russian cosmonaut and the world record holder for the most time spent in space

Gennady Ivanovich Padalka is a Russian Air Force officer and a Roscosmos cosmonaut. Padalka currently holds the world record for the most time spent in space, at 879 days. He worked on both Mir and the International Space Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akihiko Hoshide</span> Japanese engineer and JAXA astronaut

Akihiko Hoshide is a Japanese engineer, JAXA astronaut, and former commander of the International Space Station. On August 30, 2012, Hoshide became the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergey Volkov (cosmonaut)</span> Retired Russian cosmonaut and engineer

Sergey Aleksandrovich Volkov is a retired Russian cosmonaut and engineer. He was a member of three missions to the International Space Station, spending more than a year in total in space. During his missions he did four spacewalks lasting more than 23 hours in total. Volkov retired from the Cosmonaut group in February 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-17</span> 2009 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-17 was a human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS). TMA-17 crew members participated in ISS Expedition 22 and Expedition 23. The mission ended when the Soyuz TMA-17 capsule landed on 2 June 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-01M</span> 2010 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-01M was a Soyuz flight that transported three members of the Expedition 25 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-01M was the 107th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, and the first flight of the modernized TMA-M series. The spacecraft remained docked to the space station during Expedition 25, to serve as an emergency escape vehicle. The spacecraft's COSPAR ID was 2010-052A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-19</span> 2010 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-19 was a crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) and is part of the Soyuz programme. It was launched on 15 June 2010 carrying three members of the Expedition 24 crew to the International Space Station, who remained aboard the station for around six months. Soyuz TMA-19 was the 106th crewed flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, since the first mission which was launched in 1967. The spacecraft remained docked to the space station for the remainder of Expedition 24, and for Expedition 25, to serve as an emergency escape vehicle. It undocked from ISS and landed in Kazakhstan on 26 November 2010. It was the 100th mission to be conducted as part of the International Space Station programme since assembly began in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-20</span> 2010 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-20 was a human spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) and was part of the Soyuz programme. It lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on December 15, 2010, and docked with the ISS two days later. The three-person crew of Soyuz TMA-20 – Dmitri Kondratyev, Catherine Coleman and Paolo Nespoli – represented the ISS partner organizations of Roscosmos, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Soyuz TMA-20's crew represented half of the members of Expedition 27; the other three members of the expedition arrived at the station on board Soyuz TMA-21 on April 6, 2011. The COSPAR ID of Soyuz TMA-20 was 2010-067A. It is ISS flight 25S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expedition 29</span> Long-duration mission to the ISS

Expedition 29 was the 29th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station (ISS). The expedition formally began on 16 September 2011, with the departure from the ISS of the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft. Astronauts Satoshi Furukawa, Michael Fossum and Sergey Volkov, who had arrived at the ISS aboard Soyuz TMA-02M in June 2011, began their Expedition 29 service at this time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-22</span> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-22 was a crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). TMA-22 was the 111th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, and transported three members of the Expedition 29 crew to the ISS. The spacecraft docked to the ISS on 16 November 2011, and remained docked to serve as an emergency escape vehicle until its undocking on 27 April 2012. Soyuz TMA-22 successfully landed in Kazakhstan on 27 April 2012 11:45 GMT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-03M</span> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-03M was a spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). It launched on 21 December 2011 from Site One at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, carrying three members of Expedition 30 to the ISS. TMA-03M was the 112th flight of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, since the first in 1967, and the third flight of the modernised Soyuz-TMA-M version. The docking with the International Space Station took place at 19:19 Moscow Time on 23 December, three minutes ahead of schedule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-04M</span> 2012 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-04M was a spaceflight to Low Earth orbit that transported three members of the Expedition 31 crew to the International Space Station (ISS), which was launched on 15 May 2012 and landed on 17 September 2012. TMA-04M was the Soyuz spacecraft's 113th flight since its initial launch in 1967, and the fourth launch of the improved Soyuz TMA-M series. As per the mission plan, the spacecraft remained docked to the space station to serve as an emergency escape vehicle during Expedition 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-06M</span> 2012 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-06M was a spaceflight to the International Space Station launched on 23 October 2012, transporting three members of the Expedition 33 crew. TMA-06M was the 115th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, the first flight launching in 1967. Soyuz TMA-06M launch was also the first crewed flight from the remote Site 31 pad since July 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-07M</span> 2012 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-07M was a spaceflight launched to the International Space Station in 2012 which transported three members of the Expedition 34 crew to the station. The Soyuz remained docked to the space station and served as an emergency escape vehicle for the Expedition 35 increment, before returning its crew to Earth in May 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-08M</span> 2013 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-08M, identified as Soyuz 34 or 34S by NASA, was a 2013 flight to the International Space Station. It transported three members of the Expedition 35 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-08M was the 117th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, the first flight launching in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-12M</span> 2014 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-12M was a 2014 flight to the International Space Station. It transported three members of the Expedition 39 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-12M was the 121st flight of a Soyuz spacecraft since the first in 1967 and the 38th Soyuz mission to the ISS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-15M</span> 2014 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-15M was a 2014 flight to the International Space Station. It transported three members of the Expedition 42 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-15M was the 124th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, the first flight launching in 1967. The Soyuz remained docked to the space station for the Expedition 43 increment, serving as an emergency escape vehicle until departing and returning to Earth as scheduled in June 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-16M</span> 2015 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-16M was a 2015 flight to the International Space Station. It transported three members of the Expedition 43 crew to the Station. TMA-16M was the 125th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, the first having launched in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-19M</span> 2015 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-19M was a 2015 Russian Soyuz spaceflight to the International Space Station. It was launched on December 15, 2015 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, transporting three members of the Expedition 46 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-19M was the 128th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft since the first in 1967. The crew consisted of a Russian commander accompanied by American and British astronauts. The flight returned to Earth on June 18, 2016. The Soyuz TMA-19M descent module is now in the collection of the UK's Science Museum Group.

References

  1. 1 2 "NASA's Consolidated Launch Schedule". NASA. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. William Harwood. "Russia Orders Soyuz Delays In Wake Of Test Mishap". SpaceflightNow.com. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  3. "Soyuz Launches New Crew Into Space". The Moscow Times . 15 July 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  4. 1 2 "MKC Союз ТМА-05М". Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  5. NASA (2009). "Astronaut Bio: Sunita Williams". NASA. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  6. JAXA (2009). "Selection of Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide as a Member of the ISS Expedition Crew". JAXA. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
  7. NASA HQ (2010). "NASA And Partners Assign Crews For Upcoming Space Station Missions". NASA. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  8. "Орбитальные полёты". 2012.
  9. "Soyuz TMA-05M arrives at ISS restoring the Expedition 32 Crew to Six". SPACEFLIGHT 101. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  10. Pete Harding (18 November 2012). "Three crewmembers depart ISS for pre-dawn return to Earth".
  11. NASA News Release 12-404 (18 November 2012). "International Space Station Astronauts Land Safely in Kazakhstan".