LIVE: Soyuz TMA-02M Launch and Docking - June 7-9, 2011

[Space Pete]

Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov Approves the Patch of the Soyuz TMA-02M Crew.

The Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency Anatoly Perminov approved the patch of the next crew to fly to the International Space Station in Russian in vehicle Soyuz TMA-02M in May 2011.
For the May’s launch, the patch is based on the drawing by 8-year-old Katya Ikramova of Krasnoyarsk. She will come to Baikonur to witness the launch in May.

Roscosmos PAO.

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11517&lang=en

[Chandonn]

PRETTY!!!

[Space Pete]

This launch is now delayed to June 10th, per JimO on the Schedule of ISS flight events thread.

[anik]

The preliminary launch date is June 7.

[anik]

Aleksey Krasnov (the head of department of piloted programs of Roskosmos) has told today at MCC-M that the launch is not delayed but theoretically can be delayed after review of Soyuz TMA-M flight data.

[Space Pete]

Looks like the launch date is still officially May 30th.


Soyuz TMA-02M Launch Slated for May 30.

Soyuz TMA-02 launch date is scheduled for May 30, Roscosmos Human Space Flight Directorate Chief Alexey Krasnov told news media.
He added that currently the data obtained during the mission of the first digital Soyuz were under processing. If necessary, the launch might be postponed for a couple of days.
“As for now, this is not necessary”, Krasnov said.

Roscosmos PAO.

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11634&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Per L2, this launch is indeed slipping to 7th June.

STS-134 Soyuz Flyabout Cancelled – Planning switched to STS-135.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/04/sts-134-soyuz-flyabout-cancelled-planning-to-sts-135

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02M Arrives at the Space Port
:: 21.04.2011

Soyuz TMA-02M crew vehicle was delivered to Baikonur. A train from RSC-Energia arrived at the Turatam railway station.
After the customs clearance, the Soyuz was transported to the integration and test facility for further prelaunch processing.
The launch of the Soyuz with three ISS crew members is slated for June 7.

Roscosmos PAO.

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11694&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02M Prelaunch Processing is in Progress at Baikonur
:: 10.05.2011

Soyuz TMA-02M prelaunch processing continues at Baikonur.
The crew vehicle underwent testing in the acoustic chamber which were aimed primarily at verifying the Kurs system responsible for rendezvous and docking. After the test, the Soyuz will be prepared for leak checks.
Soyuz-FG is to launch Soyuz TMA-02M with three crew on June 8, at 00.15.
 
Roscosmos PAO

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11746&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02М Crew Exams to Begin Today
:: 12.05.2011

On Maу 12-13, Roscosmos’ Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center will host two-day exam session for the prime and backup crews of the Soyuz TMA-02М vehicle  scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on June 8.
Prime crew-  Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA, Michael Fossum of NASA- will pass through their integrated training in the ISS simulator on today. Their backup Oleg Kononeko, Donald Pettit, Andre Kuipers will be examined in the Soyuz mockup on the same day.
The crews to swap tomorrow.

Roscosmos PAO

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11757&lang=en

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-093

NASA TELEVISION TO COVER NEXT SOYUZ ARRIVAL

HOUSTON -- NASA Television will cover the launch of three new
station residents in the coming weeks.

Two weeks after the Expedition 27 crew lands, Soyuz Commander Sergei
Volkov, NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fossum and Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency Flight Engineer Satoshi Furakawa will launch from
the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Their Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft
is scheduled to lift off at 3:15 p.m. June 7 (2:15 a.m. local time
June .

They will join Expedition 28 Commander Andrey Borisenko, NASA
astronaut Ron Garan and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev, who
have been aboard the station since April.

NASA Television's scheduled coverage includes (all times Central):

Monday, May 16
2 p.m. - Video File of the Soyuz TMA-02M crew news conference at Star
City, Russia, and visit to Red Square in Moscow
Monday, May 23
2:30 p.m. - Soyuz TMA-20 crew farewells and hatch closure (3 p.m.)
coverage
5:45 p.m. - Undocking (6:06 p.m.) coverage
8:15 p.m. - Deorbit burn (8:35 p.m.) and landing (9:26 p.m.) coverage
Tuesday, May 24
5 a.m. - Video File of landing and post-landing activities
11 a.m. - Video File of the landing and post-landing activities,
including post-landing interview and return to Chkalovsky Airfield,
Star City, Russia
Wednesday, May 25
11 a.m. - Video File of the Soyuz TMA-02M crew departure for Baikonur
ceremony at Star City, Russia
Friday, June 3
11 a.m. - Video File of the crew activities in Baikonur
Sunday, June 5
11 a.m. - Video File of the rocket mating and rollout to the launch
pad in Baikonur
Monday, June 6
2 p.m. - Video File of the final pre-launch crew news conference and
Russian State Commission meeting in Baikonur
Tuesday, June 7
1:45 p.m. - Video File of the crew pre-launch activities in Baikonur
2:30 p.m. - Launch (3:15 p.m.) coverage
6 p.m. - Video File of pre-launch, launch and post-launch interviews
Thursday, June 9
3:30 p.m. - Docking (4:15 p.m.) coverage, including post-docking news
conference from Mission Control in Korolev, Russia
6:45 p.m. - Hatch opening (7:15 p.m.) and welcoming ceremony coverage
9 p.m. - Video File of docking, hatch opening and welcoming ceremony

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02М Crew Got Excellent Mark on the First Day of the Examination Training
:: 13.05.2011

Soyuz TMA-02М prime crew has got excellent mark on the first day of the examination training yesterday.
Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA, Michael Fossum of NASA were passing through their integrated training in the ISS simulator on May 12. The training implied simulation of a working day in the station, with a few contingencies introduced by the instructors.
In parallel, their backup Oleg Kononeko, Donald Pettit, Andre Kuipers were examined in the Soyuz mockup showing their skills in the vehicle control.
The crews will swap today.
Interagency Commission is to meet Monday to review training results and to confirm flight readiness of the crews. The Commission will present their conclusions at Roscosmos Board meeting slated for May 23.
Soyuz TMA-02M, the second vehicle of the new series with digital systems, is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on June 8, at 00.15 MSK.

Roscosmos PAO

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11759&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02M Accommodated in the Vacuum Chamber for Leak Check
:: 13.05.2011

Soyuz TMA-02M prelaunch processing continues at Baikonur.
The crew vehicle undergoes leak check in the vacuum chamber. The test will last several days.
Soyuz-FG is to launch Soyuz TMA-02M with three crew on June 8, at 00.15.

Photos: http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11762&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02М Crew Examination Training Completed Successfully
:: 14.05.2011

Soyuz TMA-02М prime and backup crews successfully completed their examination session yesterday at Roscosmos’ Gagarin Training Center .
Within two days, Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA, Michael Fossum of NASA – prime - and Oleg Kononeko, Donald Pettit, Andre Kuipers – backup - were passing through their integrated training in the ISS simulator and Soyuz mockup. Both crews have shown positive results in the vehicle control and station operation skills.
Interagency Commission is to meet Monday to review training results and to confirm flight readiness of the crews. The Commission will present their conclusions at Roscosmos Board meeting slated for May 23.
The crews will fly to Baikonur on May 25 to continue their preflight training.
Soyuz TMA-02, the second vehicle of the new series with digital systems, is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on June 8, at 00.15 MSK.
 
Roscosmos PAO

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11767&lang=en

[Space Pete]

Soyuz TMA-02М Crew to be Approved by Interagency Commission
:: 16.05.2011

Interagency Commission is to meet Monday to review training results and to confirm flight readiness of the Soyuz TMA-02М crews.
The Soyuz’ prime and backup crews successfully completed their examination session Friday at Roscosmos’ Gagarin Training Center. Both crews have shown positive results in the vehicle control and station operation skills.
Bio and training results of Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos, Satoshi Furukawa of JAXA, Michael Fossum of NASA – prime - and Oleg Kononeko, Donald Pettit, Andre Kuipers – backup – will be presented today to the Commission, which is to reports about their conclusions at Roscosmos Board meeting slated for May 23.
The crews will fly to Baikonur on May 25 to continue their preflight training.
Soyuz TMA-02, the second vehicle of the new series with digital systems, is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on June 8, at 00.15 MSK.
 
Roscosmos PAO

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11775&lang=en

[jacqmans]

Gagarin’s Launch Pad Prepared for Soyuz TMA-02M Launch
24.05.2011

Launch campaign of the Soyuz TMA-02M crew vehicle continues at Baikonur.
Experts of the rocket and space industry prepare infrastructure of ‘Gagarin’s’ pad 1 for the upcoming launch.

The Soyuz is undergoes pre-planned tests at site 254.
Pneumatic tests of the Soyuz-FG rocket continue.
Soyuz-FG is to launch Soyuz TMA-02M with three crew on June 8, at 00.15.

Roscosmos PAO
http://www.roscosmos.ru

[jacqmans]

Roscosmos Board Meeting Reviews Soyuz TMA-02M Flight Readiness
24.05.2011


Roscosmos Board met Monday to discuss flight readiness of the Soyuz TMA-02M crew vehicle, Soyuz-FG launcher, launch infrastructure, ISS, search and rescue system, prime and backup crews` launch readiness.
After several reports made by officials from space industry, Federal Aeronavigation Office, Federal Bio-Medical Agency, Space Force, the Board approved Soyuz TMA-02M launch on June 08, at 00.15 MSK, according to RSC-Energia proposal. The final decision about launch date will be made during the State Board meeting on Human Space System Flight Tests.


The Board also noted the Soyuz TMA-02M prime and backup crew candidates:
Prime Crew:
Soyuz TMA-02M Commander, ISS Flight Engineer – Sergey Volkov (Roscosmos)
Soyuz TMA-02M Flight Engineer, ISS Flight Engineer – Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA)
 Soyuz TMA-02M Flight Engineer, ISS Flight Engineer/Commander– Michael Fossum (NASA)
Backup Crew:
Soyuz TMA-02 Commander, ISS Flight Engineer – Oleg Kononenko (Roscosmos)
Soyuz TMA-02 Flight Engineer, ISS Flight Engineer – Andre Kuipers (ESA)
 Soyuz TMA-02 Flight Engineer, ISS Flight Engineer/Commander– Donald Pettit (NASA)
The crews are to be finally approved at the State Board meeting at Baikonur.
 

The main objectives of the ISS-28 expedition are:
- Soyuz TMA-02M launch with ISS-27/28 crew;
- Soyuz TMA-02M docking to the ISS;
- unloading and accommodation of the hardware delivered to the ISS;
- refurbishment, technical maintenance, repair of the ISS RS onboard systems;
- ISS-28 scientific research program;
- EVA;
- medical measures aimed at maintaining crew health status and proper operational capabilities.


43 experiments in the following branches are planned for ISS-28:
- physical, chemical processes and materials in space - 2;
- geophysics and near-Earth space- 5;
- life science - 7;
- remote sensing- 4;
- studies of the Solar system-1;
- space biotechnology - 10;
- technical studies and experiments - 8;
- studies of the physical processes in the ISS orbit -1;
- education and promotion of space research – 5.


Further Soyuz TMA-02M prelaunch processing implies:

final operations (till tanking)                             16.05. – 27.05.11
crew fit-check                                                         26.06.11
delivery to filling station                                         27.05.11
operations at the filling station                              28.05.11
final operations (post-tanking)                           29.05 -03.06.11
integration with the launcher                                 04.06.11
operations at the launch pad                             05.06. – 08.06.11

 
The Board advised general designers and heads of the industry to personally control the prelaunch operations, with special attention paid to reliability and safety of these operations at Baikonur.


Roscosmos PAO
http://www.roscosmos.ru

[jacqmans]

Soyuz TMA-02M Crew Departed for Baikonur
25.05.2011

The сrews of the Soyuz TMA-02M vehicle slated to fly to the International Space Station on June 8 have departed for Baikonur this morning from Chkalovsky airport, Moscow region.

Prime crew includes Sergey Volkov (Roscosmos), Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA), Michael Fossum (NASA). Their backups are Oleg Kononenko (Roscosmos), Andre Kuipers (ESA), Donald Pettit (NASA)

Two airplanes with the crews are expected to arrive at the space port in the afternoon. The first fit-check of the Soyuz TMA-02M vehicle is scheduled for tomorrow.


Roscosmos PAO
http://www.roscosmos.ru

[jacqmans]

Mike Fossum on his facebook page:

"Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. 25May2011. We just arrived here from Star City, Russia, after 3-hr flight. Enjoyed passing the time with crew, Russian managers, and members of training team who travel with us. Our backup crew - traveling on a separate airplane - is about 20 minutes behind us".

[jacqmans]

Crew arrival:
http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17156