LIVE: Soyuz-FG launch - and Soyuz TMA-01M docking - October 7-9, 2010

[aquarius]

Gerst is there. Praising the docking with the new digital Soyuz.

Notes Shuttle is ready for Nov 1. The Russian translator says "Shuttle" too. I wonder if that is translated as a name, as opposed to the Russian for shuttle.

The latter, although the Russians have their own word for shuttle too.

[Space Pete]

Hatch opening coverage has now begun.

Apparently, Mark Kelly is going to get to speak to Scott via the TSuP!

Also, according to Rob Navias, Scott Kelly is the first ever Shuttle CDR to arrive at the ISS via a Soyuz!

[Space Pete]

Hatches now open.


Some funny comments from the welcome ceremony:

Mark: "Hi Mark, this is Scott. 6 months is a long time in space. Thanks for switching places with me. I hope I can remember how to fly that Shuttle"!

Doug: "Mark, good to see you've shaved your moustache"!

Scott's daughter: "Dad, I have one thing to ask you: Can I have an iPhone to keep up with your mission....pleeeeeease"?

[collectSPACE]

Docking, hatch opening and crew conference:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhAjFjDGfbs&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/rhAjFjDGfbs&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/6xfJsTSlh8w&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/6xfJsTSlh8w&rel=1</a>

[John44]

Expedition 25 - Docking to the ISS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6196

Expedition 25 - Post-Docking News Conference
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6197

Expedition 25 - Hatch Opening and Welcoming Ceremony
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6198

[racshot65]

Do we have any pictures of these ?

SSVP BZV clamps


Pete mentioned them in his article

[Space Pete]

Do we have any pictures of these ?

SSVP BZV clamps


Pete mentioned them in his article

The yellow/orange objects around the circumference of the hatchway.

[Space Pete]

NASA TV Video: Expedition 25 Crew Unites Aboard ISS.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/J14do2LamhE&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/J14do2LamhE&rel=1</a>

[Danderman]

that was new to me:

Its a little blurry ..... maybe there's a higher rez version out there somewhere.

[racshot65]

Cheers Pete do they install all of those clamps when it gets to the ISS ?

Seems like theres loads

[robertross]

{snipped down to a manageable size}

Russian: Also do not forget ISS is probably the only unique project of international cooperation. We have been working together to allow different nations to live together without involving politics. I think whatever we need, we have. Of course Russia has its obligations and I think we will fulfil them successfully. Thank-you very much.


Forgive my ignorance of who all was talking...

Thank-you so much for taking those notes!!
It was a very good read.

[Space Pete]

Cheers Pete do they install all of those clamps when it gets to the ISS ?

Seems like theres loads

Yup, the clamps are installed post-docking.

The clamps are not individual - they are all linked together in a ring. The ring is installed around the circumference of the hatchway and then tightened in order to help "hold" the two spacecraft together.

[JJ..]

There was an item on Russia Today (on free view in the UK) Video is on their website,
Didn't know if I'm allowed to post a link or not,but its easy to find.

JJ..

That was interesting. Russian reporter asks them about a new station that's been built.

Answered with a non-answer about a Space Hotel with Space Adventures. Reference to a company called Orbital Technologies, who they've signed a contract with, and one "module" will be built as part of that initial deal.

Notes how it could be useful for the ISS crew to evacate to "the other station".

Certainly sounds like they are planning to build something.

[Danderman]

Cheers Pete do they install all of those clamps when it gets to the ISS ?

Seems like theres loads

The photo shows docking hooks. Hooks are engaged in unison. There are an active set and a passive set on each spacecraft.

Clamps are installed by the crew and are affixed to the vestibule between the spacecraft. These are not shown in the photo.

[Space Pete]

Cheers Pete do they install all of those clamps when it gets to the ISS ?

Seems like theres loads

The photo shows docking hooks. Hooks are engaged in unison. There are an active set and a passive set on each spacecraft.

Clamps are installed by the crew and are affixed to the vestibule between the spacecraft. These are not shown in the photo.

No, that is incorrect. The hooks are a separate system entirely - they are contained inside the docking collar, and are electrically engaged post-docking. Hooks are what hold the two spacecraft together, and as you said, there are hooks on both sides of the docking interface (active & passive).

The clamps (which are shown in the photo) don't hold the two spacecraft together on their own, they just rigidise the linkup. You are correct in that the clamps are installed manually by the crew around the vestibule.

That's why the MRM-2 hook issue required cable re-routing to solve - because the hooks couldn't be accessed by the crew.