LIVE: Soyuz-FG launch with Soyuz TMA-14M - September 25, 2014

[Targeteer]

Moscow instructing Max to prepare to photograph Soyuz due to non-deployed array

[Targeteer]

Moscow discussion on PAO coverage of arrival is clobbering the VHF comm

[Targeteer]

CAPCOM passed word to Reid that Soyuz arrival is on time and the solar array non-deployment.

[jcm]

The first TLEs on Space-Track have a bad inclination (52.1 deg  instead of 51.6) - but I strongly lean toward the idea that the Space-Track data is bad here, they are rushing to get out an earlier elset than normal.

[asmi]

The first TLEs on Space-Track have a bad inclination (52.1 deg  instead of 51.6) - but I strongly lean toward the idea that the Space-Track data is bad here, they are rushing to get out an earlier elset than normal.

These are post-insertion orbital parameters as provided by MCC-M:

минимальная высота над поверхностью Земли – 201,25 километра;
максимальная высота над поверхностью Земли – 257,33 километра;
период обращения – 88,79 минуты;
наклонение орбиты – 51,65 градуса.

Perigee - 201.25 km
Apogee - 257.33 km
Period - 88.79 min
Inclination - 51.65°

Apogee is a bit too high - I seem to remember nominal value is supposed to be 220±20 km.(nwm - anik corrected me)

There was a mission in a past with the same failure - Soyuz T-9, and ballistics specialists had to recalculate rendezvous profile in order to reach Salyut-7 station (since not-extended panel changes spacecraft's moments of inertia), but by the looks of it modern Soyuz attitude control computer is smart enough to take care of this without external assistance.

[Targeteer]

Soyuz is in contact with Moscow and reports everything is going well.  Kurs testing is ongoing.  All crew have ingressed the habitation compartment.  Burn went as planned.  Comm is choppy with interference.

[anik]

I seem to remember nominal value is supposed to be 220±20 km

242±42.

[Targeteer]

I seem to remember nominal value is supposed to be 220±20 km

242±42.

An 84km spread on orbit insertion is acceptable?  Hard to believe the Soyuz has that much prop to spare to make up the difference.

[Targeteer]

Moscow is talking to the Soyuz on SG2 so it's close enough to allow relay through the ISS. Comm is still almost unusable.

[Targeteer]

From the Soyuz, the port wing is missing.  Comm is still choppy

[asmi]

An 84km spread on orbit insertion is acceptable?  Wow...

As I understand this is a window which Soyuz can correct for using it's own propulsion, and still be able to perform 4-orbits rendezvous.

[Targeteer]

ISS is approaching Russian ground stations again so comm is switching back to VHF

[asmi]

Will anybody tweet a photo, or didn't they get any?

Is this the first quick-rendezvous [i.e. small separation at launch] at night when launch images are possible, or was there some earlier Soyuz launch imaged from ISS that I missed [slaps head sharply]? I'd like to compare with Gerst's serendipitous views of the Plesetsk Soyuz-Glonass in June.

Definitely not a first one. Here is what I've managed to google:
http://www.space.com/25201-soyuz-launch-photos-expedition-39.html
http://www.universetoday.com/101098/space-station-crew-captures-soyuz-launch-as-seen-from-orbit/
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=43688

[Targeteer]

The comm link through ISS is almost unusable

[Targeteer]

range 91km rate 80 meters

[Targeteer]

range 73, rate 74

[Targeteer]

range 54 no rate provided

[northenarc]

From the Soyuz, the port wing is missing.  Comm is still choppy

Not deployed or actually missing? I'll consider that imperfect translation and presume not deployed for the moment.

[Targeteer]

range 35, rate 51

[Targeteer]

Kurs set 1, no warnings displayed