Author Topic: Soyuz to 2012 Official  (Read 2192 times)

Offline rdale

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Soyuz to 2012 Official
« on: 12/02/2008 10:30 pm »
CONTRACT RELEASE : C08-068
 
 
NASA Extends Contract with Russian Federal Space Agency
 
 
WASHINGTON -- NASA has signed a $141 million modification to the current International Space Station contract with the Russian Federal Space Agency for crew transportation services planned through the spring of 2012.

The firm-fixed price extension covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, crew rescue, and landing of a long-duration mission for three station crew members. The crew members will launch on two Soyuz vehicles in the fall of 2011. They will land in the spring of 2012. The flights may be used to meet NASA's obligations to its international partners for transportation to and from the station.

The contract extension also provides for the two Soyuz flights to carry limited cargo to and from the station and dispose of trash. The cargo allowed per person is approximately 110 pounds (50 kilograms) launched to the station, approximately 37 pounds (17 kilograms) returned to Earth, and trash disposal of approximately 66 pounds (30 kilograms).

Offline wjbarnett

Re: Soyuz to 2012 Official
« Reply #1 on: 12/02/2008 10:41 pm »
Ok, so let's do the math. That's 3 crew members, so $37M per. Now, just how comparable is that with the estimated $30m per participant via Space Adventures?

At least some of the extra cost relates to greater training requirements (at least one of these crew members is not in the rightmost seat). Possibly some Russian EVA training, plus more training on the Russian ISS segment due to long duration vs. taxi-flight duration stay. And probably additional costs for greater infrastructure in Russia for NASA support people. What else?
« Last Edit: 12/02/2008 10:46 pm by wjbarnett »
Jack

Offline hop

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Re: Soyuz to 2012 Official
« Reply #2 on: 12/03/2008 04:48 am »
I wouldn't expect ISS activities (e.g. Orlan EVA or Russian segment traing) to be counted in this. US crews would need the same level of training in those things regardless of how they got there.

AFAIK, they do get much more extensive Soyuz training than the short term third seat "tourists". It may also include some Progress cargo space (as previous contracts have), since not all the items associated with a crew member will fit in the Soyuz.

Offline mr.columbus

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Re: Soyuz to 2012 Official
« Reply #3 on: 12/03/2008 10:24 am »
What else?

Paper work... the burden to train a NASA or ESA astronaut for Soyuz is higher due to the communication required by NASA and ESA from RSA.

Offline Danderman

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Re: Soyuz to 2012 Official
« Reply #4 on: 12/03/2008 06:31 pm »
It may also include some Progress cargo space (as previous contracts have), since not all the items associated with a crew member will fit in the Soyuz.

You are correct, in that Soyuz today cannot accommodate so much cargo per crew member. However, there is a chance that this contract assumes that the spacecraft may be launched by Soyuz 2.1a or Soyuz 2.1.b, in which case additional cargo may be loaded into the orbital module. Or not.
 ???

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