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#140 by Cbased on 26 Mar, 2009 11:44
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#141 by Chris Bergin on 26 Mar, 2009 12:01
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Thanks for the great coverage guys. You do not want to know about the morning I've had. Great to know we've always got the guys who kick in with covering events if some of us are AWOL.
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#142 by VR2 on 26 Mar, 2009 12:14
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Soyuz stages drop zones.
May be superior picture?
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#143 by Heg on 26 Mar, 2009 12:56
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Could someone provide TLE data for today, please?
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#144 by jhf on 26 Mar, 2009 13:00
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It seems like a lot of idle chitchat comm bewteen the vehicle and ground. Asking Padalka whether flight is more or less rough than his last. Joking about sunburn. Probably just to calm the nerves of the crew.
I think the chitchat is partly for medical and safety reasons -- ground controllers want to hear from everyone during launch so they know everyone is conscious and not suffering from hypoxia or toxic gasses... thus the questions to Simonyi, who they "hadn't heard from yet", asking him to compare his launches; answering the question requires critical thinking rather than just a glib reply. -
#145 by Ben the Space Brit on 26 Mar, 2009 13:21
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Soyuz TMA-14 Now orbiting over Pacific Ocean, Chilean Coast
Trivia question: Is this the first time that there have been a non-docked Shuttle, Soyuz and the ISS all in parallel orbits at the same time? -
#146 by jacqmans on 26 Mar, 2009 13:28
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RELEASE: 09-069
NEW ASTRONAUT CREW LAUNCHES TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
HOUSTON -- The 19th crew to live and work aboard the International
Space Station launched into orbit Thursday morning from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. NASA astronaut
Michael Barratt, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, and spaceflight
participant and U.S. software engineer Charles Simonyi lifted off at
6:49 a.m. CDT.
They are scheduled to dock with the station at 8:14 a.m. Saturday,
March 28. Padalka will serve as commander of Expeditions 19 and 20
aboard the station. Barratt will serve as a flight engineer for those
two missions. Padalka and Barratt's other crewmate is Koichi Wakata
of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. He arrived to the station
March 17 on space shuttle Discovery.
Simonyi, flying to the station under a commercial agreement with the
Russian Federal Space Agency, previously visited the complex in April
2007. He is the first spaceflight participant to make a second flight
to the station and will spend 10 days aboard. Simonyi will return to
Earth April 7 with Expedition 18 Commander Michael Fincke and Flight
Engineer Yury Lonchakov, who have been on the station since October
2008.
The Expedition 19 crew will continue science investigations and
prepare for the arrival of the rest of the station's first six-person
contingent. Roman Romanenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency,
Frank De Winne of the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency
astronaut Bob Thirsk will launch from Baikonur on May 27, arriving at
the station on May 29. After all the astronauts are aboard,
Expedition 20 will begin, ushering in an era of six-person station
crews. This mission also will be the first time the crew members
represent all five International Space Station partners.
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#147 by jacqmans on 26 Mar, 2009 13:29
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Space Adventures’ Orbital Spaceflight Client Charles Simonyi
Successfully Launches to the International Space Station
Simonyi Makes History as He Commences His Second Space Mission
Vienna, Va. – March 26, 2009 – Space Adventures, Ltd., the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, today announced that its orbital client Charles Simonyi and his crew successfully launched aboard a Soyuz-TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan en route to the International Space Station (ISS). Simonyi joins the Expedition 19 crew, which includes Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and NASA astronaut Mike Barratt.
Dr. Simonyi will make history during his spaceflight by becoming the first private explorer to complete a second mission to space. He previously flew to the ISS in spring 2007 as Space Adventures’ fifth orbital client. On his return mission, Dr. Simonyi aims to continue to make contributions toward space research, and advance civilian space travel while inspiring kids in their studies of science and math.
“We applaud Charles on his continued commitment and investment to commercial spaceflight. Having a repeat orbital client demonstrates to the world that participating in a space mission is truly a magnificent and awe-inspiring experience,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. “Charles is an inspiration and it has been a pleasure and an honor to assist him in living his dream, twice!”
Space Adventures became world renowned eight years ago with the launch of client Dennis Tito, the world’s first privately funded spaceflight participant. Since then, the company has launched five other individuals to space, including Dr. Simonyi. In 2011, Space Adventures will launch the first private mission to the ISS with its long-standing partner, the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation. This private spaceflight will be a fully dedicated mission of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft with two seats available for private space explorers, along with a comprehensive package of mission services including science, education and media program options.
About Charles Simonyi
Dr. Simonyi will share his spaceflight experiences on a daily basis through his Web site, www.CharlesinSpace.com. The site’s “Follow the Updates” section features live video from NASA TV, as well as Dr. Simonyi’s audio recordings direct from space. Dr. Simonyi will also continue to blog while on the space station and answer questions posed by visitors to his site. Students can participate in his mission by taking an online Kids’ Quiz.
Dr. Simonyi’s return mission to the ISS is the latest destination in a life defined by exploration and discovery. Born in Budapest, he had a passion for science, math, technology and space. Dr. Simonyi learned computer programming early in life, which would shape his professional career for decades and enable him to achieve his entrepreneurial dreams. At the age of 13, Dr. Simonyi represented Hungary as a junior cosmonaut and won a trip to Moscow to meet one of the first cosmonauts, Pavel Popovich.
Dr. Simonyi earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and mathematics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in computer science from Stanford University. From 1972 to 1980, Dr. Simonyi worked at Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). He left PARC to join Microsoft Corporation, where Dr. Simonyi held the titles of Director of Application Development, Chief Architect and Distinguished Engineer, leading the development of Microsoft Word and Excel.
In August of 2002, Dr. Simonyi left Microsoft and founded Intentional Software Corporation, an engineering company focused on improving the way organizations write software. He founded the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences in 2003 to support arts organizations, and science institutions, such as the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, among others.
He is a trained pilot in multi-engine aircraft and instrument flying, currently holding licenses for jets and helicopters, and has logged more than 2,000 hours of flying time. In 2007, he became the fifth private citizen to travel into space.
Dr. Simonyi is married to Lisa Persdotter who worked in asset management and marketing.
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#148 by William Graham on 26 Mar, 2009 13:36
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Soyuz TMA-14 Now orbiting over Pacific Ocean, Chilean Coast
Trivia question: Is this the first time that there have been a non-docked Shuttle, Soyuz and the ISS all in parallel orbits at the same time?
No, it has happened before.
Last was STS-115 / TMA-9 -
#149 by JimO on 26 Mar, 2009 13:48
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Thanks for the responce. I have seen the Korolev Cross before, but don't recall it being called that. Again thanks.
It's the first time I've heard that term, too. Live and learn -- especially at n-s-f-.com....
I don't think it refers to the hardware configuration of the perpendicular strap-ons -- there is a white cross-shaped cloud formed by their vapor trails. That's a much more striking cross.
Launches from Plesetsk also created this apparition, but since the USSR denied the existence of that base, ground witnesses seem to have perceived the contrail patterns either as a heavenly vision, or as a UFO. Some of those 'pseudo-UFOs' are still thriving in the world UFO literature, their true explanation firmly resisted by true believers.
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#150 by anik on 26 Mar, 2009 14:55
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Does anyone know the call sign for this spacecraft?
Altair. -
#151 by NavySpaceFan on 26 Mar, 2009 15:10
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Does anyone know the call sign for this spacecraft?
Altair.
Very good, thanks!!! -
#152 by Satori on 27 Mar, 2009 08:52
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Andrey, s it possible to have to exact launch time in format 1249:18.XXXUTC?
Thanks! -
#153 by jacqmans on 27 Mar, 2009 13:04
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March 26, 2009, Baikonur launch site,
branch office of S.P.Korolev RSC Energia
http://www.energia.ru/eng/iss/iss19/photo_03-26.html
In accordance with the mission plan of the International Space Station (ISS) and Russian commitments under the ISS project, a manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-14 was launched from Baikonur launch site at 14:49:18 Moscow Time.
The objective of the launch was to deliver to the ISS the Expedition 19 crew (ISS-19): cosmonaut Gennady Padalka (Commander of the spacecraft and ISS-19/20, Russia), astronaut Michael Barratt (flight engineer of the spacecraft and flight engineer 1 of ISS-19/20, US), as well as a space flight participant Charles Simonyi (US), who is flying under the program of the 16th visiting mission to ISS. For Charles Simonyi, this is his second space flight.
The spacecraft was put into a parking low-Earth orbit with the following parameters: 51.65° inclination, 199.0 km minimal altitude, 250.9 km maximum altitude, 88.7 minutes orbital period.
The onboard systems of the spacecraft operate normally.
At the launch site, the spacecraft prelaunch processing and launch were performed under the direction of the State Commission (chaired by the head of Roscosmos A.N.Perminov). The Commission was basing its decisions to proceed with each next step in processing and launching on the opinions of the Technical Management headed by the President of RSC Energia, Designer General V.A.Lopota.
According to the telemetry data and reports from the crew of ISS Expedition 18, the space station systems operate in normal mode. The station is ready for docking with the spacecraft.
For reference:
1. Currently working onboard ISS is the ISS-18 crew consisting of: NASA astronaut Michael Fincke (crew commander), Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov (flight engineer 1) and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata (flight engineer 2).
2. S.P.Korolev RSC Energia is the prime manned space flight organization in the Russian rocket and space industry, responsible for the development of the ISS Russian Segment, its integration into the Space Station and its operation, including development and operation of principal Russian modules (Zvezda, Pirs, etc.), manufacturing, launch and operation of Soyuz TMA and Progress M spacecraft.
3. The spacecraft docking with ISS is scheduled for March 28, 2009, at 16:14 Moscow Time, to the instrumentation and propulsion compartment of the Zvezda Service Module of he Russian segment of the space station.
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#154 by jacqmans on 27 Mar, 2009 13:08
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27-03-2009 successful jointings to you, “Altair”!
http://www.roscosmos.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=5786
The flight of spacecraft “soyuz [TMA]-14” is passed according to the plan. Today ship is located in the distant section of rapprochement with s. Upon commands from [TsUPa] were carried out the maneuvers “of soyuz [TMA]-14” for the purpose of the correction of its orbit and rapprochement with the orbit s. After each maneuver the parameters of orbit of ship are refined. One additional firing of engines will be carried out 15 hours of 45 min.
On Saturday March 28, 13 hours 46 minutes (10: 46 GMT) will begin the autonomous approach “of union [TMA]-14” with s. In this phase of flight all maneuvers will be carried out upon commands of on-board computer of ship.
Soyuz spacecraft jointing “soyuz [TMA]-14” with s is planned tentatively for 16 hours 14 minutes (13: 14 GMT) on March 28.
On the reports of crew, flight passes normally, the health good.
Successful jointing to you, “Altair”!
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#155 by anik on 27 Mar, 2009 14:02
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Rui, 11:49:18.120 UTC.
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#156 by Ronsmytheiii on 27 Mar, 2009 20:00
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#157 by MKremer on 28 Mar, 2009 09:57
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Docking coverage this morning on NASA-TV starting @ 8:45 am EDT.
(actual docking ~ 9:15 EDT)
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#158 by Retired Downrange on 28 Mar, 2009 11:49
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NASA TV coverage now live for Soyuz docking
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#159 by Chris Bergin on 28 Mar, 2009 11:49
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Docking coverage has started