Expedition 25

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ISS Expedition 25
Expedition 25 Mission Poster.jpg
Promotional Poster
Mission typeISS Expedition
Expedition
Space station International Space Station
Began25 September 2010, 02:02 (2010-09-25UTC02:02Z) UTC
Ended26 November 2010, 04:46 (2010-11-26UTC04:47Z) UTC [1]
Arrived aboard Soyuz TMA-19
Soyuz TMA-01M
Departed aboard Soyuz TMA-19
Soyuz TMA-01M
Crew
Crew size6
MembersExpedition 24/25:
Douglas H. Wheelock
Shannon Walker
Fyodor Yurchikhin

Expedition 25/26:
Scott J. Kelly
Aleksandr Kaleri
Oleg Skripochka
EVAs 1
EVA duration6 hours, 27 minutes
ISS Expedition 25 Patch.png
Expedition 25 mission patch
Expedition 25 crew portrait.jpg
(l-r) Skripochka, Kaleri, Kelly, Wheelock, Walker and Yurchikhin 

Expedition 25 was the 25th long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Expedition 25 began with the Soyuz TMA-18 undocking on 25 September 2010. Three new crewmembers (Scott Kelly, Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka) arrived aboard the ISS 10 October 2010 on Soyuz TMA-01M to join Douglas Wheelock, Fyodor Yurchikhin and Shannon Walker, and formed the full six member crew of Expedition 25. [2] NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock accepted command of Expedition 25 on 22 September 2010, taking over from Russia's Aleksandr Skvortsov. The departure of Wheelock, Walker and Yurchikhin on 25 November 2010 marked the official end of Expedition 25.

Contents

During Expedition 25 Progress M-08M spacecraft visited the ISS, docking with the space station on 30 October 2010 bringing 2.5 tons of cargo supplies. Space shuttle Discovery on STS-133 mission was scheduled to arrive at the ISS on 3 November 2010 but was rescheduled for launch on 3 February 2011. The 10th anniversary of human life, work and research on the ISS fell during Expedition 25. On 2 November 2000, Expedition 1 Commander William Shepherd and Flight Engineers Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko became the first residents of the space station. Expedition 25 ended on 26 November.

Crew

PositionFirst part
(September 2010)
Second part
(October 2010 [3]
to November 2010)
Commander Flag of the United States.svg Douglas H. Wheelock, NASA
Second spaceflight
Flight Engineer 1 Flag of the United States.svg Shannon Walker, NASA
First spaceflight
Flight Engineer 2 Flag of Russia.svg Fyodor Yurchikhin, RSA
Third spaceflight
Flight Engineer 3 Flag of the United States.svg Scott J. Kelly, NASA
Third spaceflight
Flight Engineer 4 Flag of Russia.svg Aleksandr Kaleri, RSA
Fifth spaceflight
Flight Engineer 5 Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Skripochka, RSA
First spaceflight
Source
NASA [4] [5]

Backup crew

Preflight preparations

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 25 Soyuz Commander Alexander Kaleri, NASA Flight Engineer Scott Kelly and Russian Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka participated in a variety of activities from 26 September to 4 October 2010 as they prepared for their launch on 8 October 2010 (7 October 2010 U.S. Eastern time) in their Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft to the International Space Station. The footage includes the crew's arrival in Baikonur, their suited and unsuited fit checks in their Soyuz spacecraft, the raising of flags outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters and other traditional activities. The Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft was mated to its booster in a processing facility for its rollout to the launch pad in Baikonur 5 October 2010. [6] [7]

The Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft and booster rocket were moved to Launch Complex 5 (Complex 17P32-5) at Baikonur Cosmodrome on a rail-car 5 October 2010 for final preparations prior to launch. [8] [9]

Experiments

EXPOSE-R payload. EXPOSE-R payload.jpg
EXPOSE-R payload.

Russian Federal Space Agency revealed that during Expedition 25 and 26, 504 sessions of 41 experiments (34 experiments from previous Expeditions and seven new experiments) are planned to be implemented. The new experiments include, Molniya-Gamma, Sprut-2, UHF-radiometry, SLS, VIRU, Test and Colon Crystal.

Experiments to be carried out include: [10]

FieldExperimentNotes
Life scienceSonocard, Pilot, Vzaimodeystviye, Tipologia, Pneumocard, Sprut-2, BioriskThe Biorisk experiment aims to study the effects of microbial bacteria and fungus on structural materials used in spacecraft construction.
Geophysical researchRelaxation, Uragan, Impulse, Vsplesk, Shadow-Beacon, Molniya-GammaThe Molniya-Gamma experiment measures gamma rays and optical radiation during terrestrial lightning and thunder conditions to study terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and upper-atmospheric lightning.
Remote sensingMW-radiometry, Rusalka, Zeiner, EconThe Rusalka experiment is a test of procedures for remote determination of Methane and Carbon Dioxide content in the Earth's atmosphere.
Space biotechnologyLactolen, Biotrek, Biodegradatsia, Zhinseng-2, Structure, Constanta
Technical researchVektor-T, Izgib, Identification, Veterok, SLS, Sreda-MKS, Contur, VIRU, Bar, Test, RadioSkaf
Contract activitiesEXPOSE-RExpose-R experiment is a European Space Agency (ESA) experiment designed to expose organic material to the extreme environment of space.
Study of cosmic raysBTN-Neutron, Matryoshka-R
Educational and humanitarian projectsMAI-75, Colon Crystal
Space technology and material scienceCrystallizator, Plasma crystal

Mission highlights

Expedition 25 commander Douglas Wheelock in the Cupola. Expedition 25 Wheelock Cupola.jpg
Expedition 25 commander Douglas Wheelock in the Cupola.

Progress M-05M undocking

The Russian resupply spacecraft Progress M-05M, which came to the station in May 2010, was undocked on 25 October 2010 to make room for another resupply spacecraft – Progress M-08M.

Progress M-08M

Progress M-08M spacecraft delivered about 2.5 tons of cargo supplies including water, air, fuel and hardware for the Russian Molniya-Gamma and Coulomb Crystal experiments to the station.

The Soyuz-U carrier rocket with Progress M-08M, identified by NASA as Progress 40 or 40P, was launched from the Baikonur's Gagarin's launch pad at 15:11:50 UTC on 27 October 2010. [11] After three days of autonomous flight, at 16:36 UTC on 30 October 2010 Progress M-08M docked with the Pirs module nadir port. [12] A problem during Progress' approach to the space station forced cosmonauts on the station to intervene. During station-keeping as part of the rendezvous operations, flight controllers in Moscow instructed cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri to activate the TORU manual docking equipment and take over the piloting tasks from the Progress' autonomous KURS system. The switch to manual mode was decided at range of 194 m. Kaleri worked inside the space station's Zvezda module to fly Progress M-08M remotely using television views and a pair of joysticks and guided it to the successful docking.

Spacewalks

Russian EVA 26 worksites. Russian EVA 26 worksites.JPG
Russian EVA 26 worksites.
Multipurpose workstation on Zvezda module. Multipurpose workstation Zvezda Plane II.jpg
Multipurpose workstation on Zvezda module.
Fyodor Yurchikhin (red stripes) and Oleg Skripochka (blue stripes) participate in the spacewalk. Yurchikhin and Skripochka participate in Russian EVA 26.jpg
Fyodor Yurchikhin (red stripes) and Oleg Skripochka (blue stripes) participate in the spacewalk.
MissionSpacewalkersStart (UTC)End (UTC)Duration
Expedition 25
EVA 1
Fyodor Yurchikhin
Oleg Skripochka
15 November 2010
14:55 [13]
15 November 2010
21:22
6 hours and 27 minutes
Yurchikhin and Skripochka installed a portable multipurpose workstation in Plane IV in the Zvezda large diameter and installed struts between Poisk module and Zvezda module and Poisk module and Zarya module. They performed an experiment called Test, which was aimed at verifying the existence of micro organisms or contamination underneath insulation on the Russian segment of the ISS. Yurchikhin and Skripochka photographed and installed the protective cover and disconnected and removed the Plasma Pulse Injector Science hardware from the portable multipurpose workstation in Plane II of the Zvezda. They cleaned the Kontur science hardware (ROKVISS) with dry towels and then disconnected and then removed it. Yurchikhin and Skripochka also installed the protective cover and disconnected and removed the Expose-R scientific experiment from the portable multipurpose workstation in Plane II of the Zvezda module. The Kontur experiment studied remote object control capability for robotic arms and the Expose-R experiment is a European Space Agency experiment designed to expose organic material to the extreme environment of space. Yurchikhin and Skripochka installed an oft hand-rail on Pirs docking module and installed the SKK #1-M2 cassette on Poisk module. [14] The cosmonauts also removed a television camera from the Rassvet module; however, they were unsuccessful in relocating the camera due to interference with insulation where it was to be installed. [15]

denotes spacewalks performed from the Pirs docking compartment in Russian Orlan suits.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleksandr Kaleri</span> Russian cosmonaut (born 1956)

Aleksandr "Sasha" Yuriyevich Kaleri is a former Russian cosmonaut and veteran of extended stays on the Mir Space Station and the International Space Station (ISS). Kaleri has most recently been in space in 2010 and 2011 aboard the ISS serving as a flight engineer for the long duration Expedition 25/26 missions. He has spent the fifth-longest time in space of any person, and the longest time in space of any person not born in what is now Russia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Kelly (astronaut)</span> American engineer and astronaut (born 1964)

Scott Joseph Kelly is an American engineer, retired astronaut, and naval aviator. A veteran of four space flights, Kelly commanded the International Space Station (ISS) on Expeditions 26, 45, and 46.

<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-18</span> 2010 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-18 was a 2010 Soyuz flight to the International Space Station (ISS). TMA-18 was the 105th crewed flight of a Soyuz spacecraft since the first crewed flight in 1967.

<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">Oleg Skripochka</span> Russian engineer and cosmonaut (born 1969)

Oleg Ivanovich Skripochka is a Russian engineer and cosmonaut. In 2011 he was in space serving as an Expedition 25/26 crewmember.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expedition 26</span> Mission to the International Space Station

Expedition 26 was the 26th long-duration mission to the International Space Station. The expedition's first three crew members – one US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts – arrived at the station on board Soyuz TMA-01M on 10 October 2010. Expedition 26 officially began the following month on 26 November, when half of the crew of the previous mission, Expedition 25, returned to Earth on board Soyuz TMA-19. The rest of the Expedition 26 crew – one US astronaut, one Russian cosmonaut and one ESA astronaut – joined the trio already on board when their spacecraft, Soyuz TMA-20, docked with the station on 17 December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expedition 23</span>

Expedition 23 was the 23rd long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Expedition 23 began with the Soyuz TMA-16 undocking on 18 March 2010. Shortly thereafter cosmonauts Aleksandr Skvortsov and Mikhail Korniyenko and astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson arrived at the Space Station on Soyuz TMA-18 on 4 April 2010. The Soyuz spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 00:04 EST on 2 April 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expedition 27</span> Long-duration mission to the International Space Station

Expedition 27 was the 27th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), starting on 16 March 2011. Expedition 27 saw numerous notable events, including the undocking of the Progress M-09M and Kounotori 2 spacecraft, the arrival of the Soyuz TMA-21 and Progress M-10M spacecraft, and the final rendezvous with the ISS of NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour, on its last mission, STS-134. The expedition ended on 23 May 2011 with the departure of the Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft, although command of the station was ceremonially handed over to the crew of Expedition 28 on 22 May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-21</span> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-21 ("Gagarin") was a Soyuz flight to the International Space Station (ISS). It transported three members of the Expedition 27 crew to the ISS, and docked at the station on April 6, 2011. TMA-21 is the 109th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft, the first of which launched in 1967. The Soyuz remained attached to the space station as a lifeboat, throughout the remainder of Expedition 27 and through the end of Expedition 28, and returned to Earth on September 16, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyuz TMA-02M</span> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

Soyuz TMA-02M was a space mission that transported three members of the Expedition 28 crew to the International Space Station. TMA-02M was the 110th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft and the second flight of the improved Soyuz-TMA-M series. The Soyuz remained docked to the space station for the Expedition 28 increment to serve as a potential emergency escape vehicle.

<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">Progress M-05M</span>

Progress M-05M, identified by NASA as Progress 37P, is a Progress spacecraft launched by the Russian Federal Space Agency in April 2010 to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft carried fresh food and supplies for the ISS crew. Progress M-05M also hauled some special care packages for the station crew that included confectioneries, books and new movies.

<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">Progress M-07M</span> Spacecraft for resupplying the International Space Station

Progress M-07M, identified by NASA as Progress 39P, is a Progress spacecraft which was used to resupply the International Space Station. It was the seventh Progress-M 11F615A60 spacecraft to be launched, the fourth for the year 2010 and has the serial number 407. The spacecraft was manufactured by RKK Energia, and is being operated by the Russian Federal Space Agency. It arrived at the space station whilst the Expedition 24 crew was aboard, and will remain docked for the entirety of Expedition 25, before departing during Expedition 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progress M-08M</span>

Progress M-08M, identified by NASA as Progress 40P, is a Progress spacecraft which was used to resupply the International Space Station. It was the eighth Progress-M 11F615A60 spacecraft to be launched, the fifth for the year 2010. The spacecraft was manufactured by RKK Energia, and was operated by the Russian Federal Space Agency. It arrived at the space station on 30 October 2010 whilst the Expedition 25 crew was aboard, and departed during Expedition 26 on 24 January 2011.

<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.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration .

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