Soyuz TMA-01M

Beeker

whynotdo wrote: »

I know howcan they manage tomake it so bland,needs Spielberg as Director,@ 6 mins tol aunch all is GO

It will never replace the shuttle for coverage:(

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

It will never replace the shuttle for coverage:(

A huge +1 to that!

whynotdo

@ 3 mins to launch,look out for a teddy bear it acts as a mascot and floats when in Zero g if Camera catchs it:)

Beeker

Launch!!!

Beeker

Beeker

5000mph now

Beeker

3 mins to orbit 3rd stage running smoothly

Beeker

14000mph now, really moving out:)

Beeker

Beeker

In space:) Teddy floating:)

lord lucan

And there we go,flying in pursuit of the ISS.:)

whynotdo

Beeker wrote: »

In space:) Teddy floating:)

Always a relief,I can never feel ok until Orbit is reached,Well Soyuz Pretty You might not be but sure a safe pair of hands.
What an experiance for them!!!!!!!

Beeker

Yeah i enjoyed that:) But got to get to bed now so Beeker signing out:)

whynotdo

LL has fallen asleepon keyboard,He will wake up with QWERTY on his forhead tomorrow!:D

whynotdo

Beeker wrote: »

Yeah i enjoyed that:) But got to get to bed now so Beeker signing out:)

Rodger!:)

whynotdo

Beeker

While I enjoyed the launch last night it did lack the excitement of a Shuttle launch. I think it was the way NASA TV covered it. It was also probably just the Russian history of secrecy around their launches that has left them unable to get across the excitement and wonder of the moment:(

rccaulfield

Missed this altogether! Whats the mission? Delighted the launch went well, but hope we beat them tonight!!!

lord lucan

rccaulfield wrote: »

Missed this altogether! Whats the mission? Delighted the launch went well, but hope we beat them tonight!!!

3 boys off to the ISS. There's a pass at 05.51 tomorrow morning,might be worth a look as it might be possible to see Soyuz chasing the ISS.

whynotdo

rccaulfield wrote: »

Missed this altogether! Whats the mission? Delighted the launch went well, but hope we beat them tonight!!!

The three new crewmembers of expedition 25 which will bring the ISS back up to its regular six member crew.

Expedition 24 ended about 16 days ago when Soyuz TMA-18 landed safely.

These people risk their lives,train for many Years, are scientists as well as Astro/Cosmo/nauts and as such should be respected as pioneers of Spaceflight which is still in its infancy.

Beeker

whynotdo wrote: »

The three new crewmembers of expedition 25 which will bring the ISS back up to its regular six member crew.

Expedition 24 ended about 16 days ago when Soyuz TMA-18 landed safely.

These people risk their lives,train for many Years, are scientists as well as Astro/Cosmo/nauts and as such should be respected as pioneers of Spaceflight which is still in its infancy.

Well said!:)

whynotdo

All is going well as Soyuz heads to a docking with the ISS at 01.02
The ISS caught this view of the approaching Soyuz a short while ago.


and this view of the ISS taken by Soyuz as it closes in for docking:

whynotdo

The view here is a docked progress resupply craft at the top and the docking port on the Poisk Module of the ISS right in the centre.

whynotdo

Soft docking took place at 01.01 as both crafts were over the South Pacific.Hard docking(meaning the docking probe has been retracted and the hooks and latchs that fully secure both crafts together have locked properly)was confirmed by NASA at 01.09.
The new docking digital software that is one of the new features of this next generation Soyuz have all worked properly and there was not a single problem.
A few more Pics of the whole process:


Here both a Progress and the already docked TMA-19 can be seen that will bring the three crewmembers already aboard home in seven weeks,kicking off expedition 26..



This from the ISS as Soyuz moved in:



The new digital display showing the ISS and the controls that the Commander of the Soyuz would have used to overide automatic docking if a problem had occured and he had to dock manually.



This shows the three compartments that make up a docked Soyuz,the centre section is where the crew are for docking and this tiny section is what will bring them safely home next March.the other two sections burn up just before re-entry leaving no space debris.



last pic from Soyuz just before docking:



and Yup HE turned up again in Moscow Shuttle,Soyuz,Firecracker He will be there (Gerst)for the press conference:)



as i log off leak checks are going on and NASA expect hatch openings and welcoming ceremoney at about 4AM Irish time.