Author Topic: LIVE: Soyuz TMA-13M EOM Events (Undock, Entry, Landing) - November 9-10, 2014 (Read 36010 times)

jacqmans · « **on:** 11/06/2014 07:53 am »

November 5, 2014

NASA Television to Broadcast Return of Space Station Crew

Three of the crew members aboard the International Space Station are scheduled to depart the orbiting laboratory Sunday, Nov. 9 after almost six months aboard. NASA Television will provide complete coverage.

The prime crew members for International Space Station Expedition 40 take a break in training for a crew portrait on Aug. 22, 2013. From the left are Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Soyuz Commander Maxim Suraev of Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA.

Expedition 41 Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) will undock their Soyuz spacecraft from the station at 7:30 p.m. EST for a landing in Kazakhstan at 10:58 p.m. (9:58 a.m. Nov. 10 Kazakh time). Their return will wrap up 165 days in space since launching from Kazakhstan on May 29 and a mission that covered almost 70 million miles in orbit.

With their landing, Suraev will have spent 334 days in space on two flights, and Wiseman and Gerst will have logged 165 days in space on their first flights.

At the time of undocking, Expedition 42 will formally begin aboard the station under the command of NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore. Along with his crewmates Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, Wilmore will operate the station as a three-person crew for two weeks until the arrival of three new crew members. NASA astronaut Terry Virts, Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov and ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti are scheduled to launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Nov. 23, (U.S. time).

NASA Television coverage includes:

Sunday, Nov. 9:
-- 3:45 p.m. - Farewell and hatch closure coverage. Includes replay of Nov. 8 change of command ceremony in which Suraev hands over station command to Wilmore; hatch closure at 4:10 p.m.
-- 7:15 p.m. - Undocking coverage. Undocking at 7:30 p.m.
-- 9:45 p.m. - Deorbit burn and landing coverage. Deorbit burn at 10:05 p.m., with landing at 10:58 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 10
-- 1 a.m. - Video File of hatch closure, undocking and landing activities
-- Noon - Video File of landing and post-landing activities and post-landing interviews with Reid Wiseman and Alexander Gerst in Kazakhstan

For the NASA TV schedule and coordinate information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For b-roll and other media resources, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/stationnews

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/09/2014 12:01 pm »

Moved for live coverage.

jacqmans · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/09/2014 04:39 pm »

Targeteer · « **Reply #3 on:** 11/09/2014 06:57 pm »

The Cosmonauts are exchanging checklist procedures with Moscow. The crew sarcastically repeated a Go-Pro procedure call-out reminding the ground how it important that was compared to every thing else they have going on...

mtakala24 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11/09/2014 08:04 pm »

I just wonder when they'll release some of the gopro footage from landing. They do have it, one ESA video had a clips of one on a previous flight.

northenarc · « **Reply #5 on:** 11/09/2014 08:35 pm »

Hatch closure just completed.

northenarc · « **Reply #6 on:** 11/09/2014 08:38 pm »

More

John44 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11/09/2014 08:40 pm »

Expedition 41 - Farewells and Hatch Closure
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9158

Targeteer · « **Reply #8 on:** 11/09/2014 11:08 pm »

CAPCOM just informed Butch there will be no Ku coverage during un-docking so TV coverage of his planned "bell ringing" to indicate Soyuz departure can't be shown live. They asked him to conduct the Naval heritage ceremony on SG 1 so that it could be HEARD live...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #9 on:** 11/09/2014 11:10 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 11/09/2014 11:15 pm »

Rob Navias commentating.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #11 on:** 11/09/2014 11:16 pm »

16 mins to undocking.

Prober · « **Reply #12 on:** 11/09/2014 11:16 pm »

Thunderbirds are go..me bad

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #13 on:** 11/09/2014 11:20 pm »

Recovery helicopters were turned around due to icing concerns. They are awaiting instructions.

Targeteer · « **Reply #14 on:** 11/09/2014 11:21 pm »

The first four recovery helos RTB'd due to icing conditions and are on the ground waiting further instructions

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #15 on:** 11/09/2014 11:22 pm »

There's some real idiots on Twitter, that I'm blocking, talking about "watching this because things happen in threes". Morons. If you see such comments. Block them too. I won't name them as that's what trolls want.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 11/09/2014 11:26 pm »

It was four of the helicopters that were turned around due to weather. But the landing site isn't so bad.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #17 on:** 11/09/2014 11:26 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 11/09/2014 11:28 pm »

Onboard:

Prober · « **Reply #19 on:** 11/09/2014 11:28 pm »

4 min until

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 11/09/2014 11:30 pm »

Hooks driving open.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 11/09/2014 11:32 pm »

Undocking confirmed!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #22 on:** 11/09/2014 11:32 pm »

Prober · « **Reply #23 on:** 11/09/2014 11:33 pm »

here we go...

Orbiter · « **Reply #24 on:** 11/09/2014 11:33 pm »

"Don't be sad, your home is waiting for you!"

Who wouldn't be sad to leave the ISS?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #25 on:** 11/09/2014 11:34 pm »

"Don't be sad, your home awaits you".

Prober · « **Reply #26 on:** 11/09/2014 11:36 pm »

nice view with ATV

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #27 on:** 11/09/2014 11:36 pm »

First sep burn complete.

Second underway.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 11/09/2014 11:37 pm »

Second burn complete.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #29 on:** 11/09/2014 11:38 pm »

Prober · « **Reply #30 on:** 11/09/2014 11:38 pm »

a visit to Mongolia

robertross · « **Reply #31 on:** 11/09/2014 11:38 pm »

asmi · « **Reply #32 on:** 11/09/2014 11:39 pm »

Amazing views tonight!

robertross · « **Reply #33 on:** 11/09/2014 11:39 pm »

incredible views

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #34 on:** 11/09/2014 11:40 pm »

Wow. Nice view!

Prober · « **Reply #35 on:** 11/09/2014 11:40 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 11/09/2014 11:41 pm »

Better than Interstella!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 11/09/2014 11:42 pm »

asmi · « **Reply #38 on:** 11/09/2014 11:42 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/09/2014 11:41 pm

Better than Interstella!

And this is not a CGI!

Avron · « **Reply #39 on:** 11/09/2014 11:44 pm »

So fragile .. 3 hours landing

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 11/09/2014 11:44 pm »

There's the Navy bell on the ISS:

robertross · « **Reply #41 on:** 11/09/2014 11:45 pm »

Meanwhile, back in Harmoney on the ISS, the bell (seen at the top)

robertross · « **Reply #42 on:** 11/09/2014 11:45 pm »

Soyuz now 900m away

robertross · « **Reply #43 on:** 11/09/2014 11:46 pm »

Recovery forces report plan is for a plan of helicopters for the balistic landing zone, in case it runs short, to depart an hour from now.
Forecast is for improving weather

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 11/09/2014 11:46 pm »

Two choppers will head for the Ballistic Entry landing zone. The rest to the nominal landing zone, but departing to get there with just a few minutes to spare.

robertross · « **Reply #45 on:** 11/09/2014 11:47 pm »

Go to open the USO shutters on ISS

robertross · « **Reply #46 on:** 11/09/2014 11:55 pm »

there is a comment that they may elect NOT to erect the normal tents on site, and just ferry the astronauts away due to the weather extremes at the landing site.

robertross · « **Reply #47 on:** 11/09/2014 11:55 pm »

part of animation of deorbit burn

robertross · « **Reply #48 on:** 11/09/2014 11:56 pm »

robertross · « **Reply #49 on:** 11/09/2014 11:58 pm »

robertross · « **Reply #50 on:** 11/10/2014 12:00 am »

robertross · « **Reply #51 on:** 11/10/2014 12:01 am »

NASA ending coverage for now, back in 1hr 45min

robertross · « **Reply #52 on:** 11/10/2014 01:44 am »

landing coverage starting shortly

robertross · « **Reply #53 on:** 11/10/2014 01:46 am »

robertross · « **Reply #54 on:** 11/10/2014 01:46 am »

robertross · « **Reply #55 on:** 11/10/2014 01:51 am »

Sunrise (light of day) just a few moments ago at the landing site, with bitter cold & overcast skies.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 11/10/2014 01:53 am »

Unlikely we'll see much of Soyuz under chute due to low cloud.

robertross · « **Reply #57 on:** 11/10/2014 01:54 am »

helicopters that were delayed earlier are airborne (2 hours flight time) and left a 5 min intervals, and are travelling below the clouds, so little chance of spotting a parachute landing as before.

robertross · « **Reply #58 on:** 11/10/2014 01:56 am »

A jet will be standing by to ferry Wiseman & Gerst away, stopping in Scotland, where Gerst will be met by ESA reps, with Wiseman travelling on to Houston.

Prober · « **Reply #59 on:** 11/10/2014 01:56 am »

nice, Scotland In the travel plans.

robertross · « **Reply #60 on:** 11/10/2014 01:58 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #61 on:** 11/10/2014 01:59 am »

Usual "don't panic" message about LOS.

robertross · « **Reply #62 on:** 11/10/2014 02:02 am »

Engineering milestone, noting ADCO console (shown in image) and how CMGs were used to keep station rock steady & no propellant used (which is a valuable commodity)

robertross · « **Reply #63 on:** 11/10/2014 02:03 am »

just over 2 min to deorbit burn

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #64 on:** 11/10/2014 02:03 am »

Two mins to the deorbit burn.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #65 on:** 11/10/2014 02:05 am »

Burn has started.

robertross · « **Reply #66 on:** 11/10/2014 02:05 am »

burn underway

4min 41 sec duration

robertross · « **Reply #67 on:** 11/10/2014 02:08 am »

2 min remaining in burn

asmi · « **Reply #68 on:** 11/10/2014 02:08 am »

Delta-V for the burn is 128 m/s.

Prober · « **Reply #69 on:** 11/10/2014 02:09 am »

in the burn

robertross · « **Reply #70 on:** 11/10/2014 02:10 am »

burn complete

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #71 on:** 11/10/2014 02:10 am »

Burn complete.

robertross · « **Reply #72 on:** 11/10/2014 02:10 am »

touchdown in 48 min

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 11/10/2014 02:11 am »

48 mins to landing.

robertross · « **Reply #74 on:** 11/10/2014 02:11 am »

robertross · « **Reply #75 on:** 11/10/2014 02:17 am »

robertross · « **Reply #76 on:** 11/10/2014 02:17 am »

9:17am CT in Kazahkstan

robertross · « **Reply #77 on:** 11/10/2014 02:18 am »

SAR vehicles

robertross · « **Reply #78 on:** 11/10/2014 02:22 am »

everything fine in the capsule

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #79 on:** 11/10/2014 02:24 am »

Into LOS. Entry Interface in 12 mins.

robertross · « **Reply #80 on:** 11/10/2014 02:26 am »

Helicopters travelling to landing site flying low due to fog

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #81 on:** 11/10/2014 02:33 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #82 on:** 11/10/2014 02:33 am »

Module Sep.

robertross · « **Reply #83 on:** 11/10/2014 02:34 am »

I was posting hearing the calls from the crew, but it was just other Russian stations. Apologies.
Separation has occured from data

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #84 on:** 11/10/2014 02:34 am »

Some patchy comms received.

robertross · « **Reply #85 on:** 11/10/2014 02:34 am »

ratty coms now from crew

(all breathe a sigh of relief)

robertross · « **Reply #86 on:** 11/10/2014 02:35 am »

24 min to touchdown

robertross · « **Reply #87 on:** 11/10/2014 02:36 am »

confirming nominal module separation

robertross · « **Reply #88 on:** 11/10/2014 02:38 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #89 on:** 11/10/2014 02:39 am »

Racing to the scene.

Prober · « **Reply #90 on:** 11/10/2014 02:39 am »

on the way to the landing site...

robertross · « **Reply #91 on:** 11/10/2014 02:39 am »

first views from landing site

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #92 on:** 11/10/2014 02:40 am »

Entry interface.

robertross · « **Reply #93 on:** 11/10/2014 02:40 am »

Lows 20s F at landing site
(that's cold...)

robertross · « **Reply #94 on:** 11/10/2014 02:43 am »

G loads were 5 (max experienced)

asmi · « **Reply #95 on:** 11/10/2014 02:43 am »

Max G-load was 5 for 7 seconds

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #96 on:** 11/10/2014 02:43 am »

Some rather strained communication from the Soyuz! Sounded awful! But the translator says "everything is normal".

robertross · « **Reply #97 on:** 11/10/2014 02:43 am »

locator beeper can be heard

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #98 on:** 11/10/2014 02:45 am »

Chutes!

robertross · « **Reply #99 on:** 11/10/2014 02:45 am »

drogue chute deploy

robertross · « **Reply #100 on:** 11/10/2014 02:45 am »

main chute deploy

robertross · « **Reply #101 on:** 11/10/2014 02:45 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #102 on:** 11/10/2014 02:46 am »

On Main Chute!

robertross · « **Reply #103 on:** 11/10/2014 02:47 am »

"everything is nominal"
"Feeling well"

robertross · « **Reply #104 on:** 11/10/2014 02:49 am »

confirming visual contact with capsule by recovery forces

robertross · « **Reply #105 on:** 11/10/2014 02:49 am »

Prober · « **Reply #106 on:** 11/10/2014 02:51 am »

robertross · « **Reply #107 on:** 11/10/2014 02:53 am »

robertross · « **Reply #108 on:** 11/10/2014 02:56 am »

3 min to touchdown

2000 m

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #109 on:** 11/10/2014 02:59 am »

Touchdown!

robertross · « **Reply #110 on:** 11/10/2014 02:59 am »

touchdown confirmed! (via screengrab)

Welcome home.

Prober · « **Reply #111 on:** 11/10/2014 03:00 am »

robertross · « **Reply #112 on:** 11/10/2014 03:02 am »

landing time at 9:58:35 am local time
(also now have official confirmation of landing)

robertross · « **Reply #113 on:** 11/10/2014 03:03 am »

vehicle has landed on its side

robertross · « **Reply #114 on:** 11/10/2014 03:09 am »

Sorry, I'll have to sign off for the night.

Hopefully our esteemed colleagues on here can fill in...

asmi · « **Reply #115 on:** 11/10/2014 03:12 am »

That concluded 122nd Soyuz mission overall, 112th mission since last fatality, and 74th mission since last launch failure and successful launch abort.

asmi · « **Reply #116 on:** 11/10/2014 03:21 am »

Got live TV from the landing site. Max is already out.

asmi · « **Reply #117 on:** 11/10/2014 03:26 am »

Gerst is out too.

asmi · « **Reply #118 on:** 11/10/2014 03:27 am »

Max is on the phone

asmi · « **Reply #119 on:** 11/10/2014 03:30 am »

Reid is out

asmi · « **Reply #120 on:** 11/10/2014 03:32 am »

Max is saying for the family: "Here I am, we're all safe, all is good"

asmi · « **Reply #121 on:** 11/10/2014 03:35 am »

Also some words on cooperation - "here we are, we've worked together and successfully completed our mission, and that's the way it needs to go on".
Reid is also being interviewed by Russian media guys that are on scene.
And Gerst is describing his impressions from the landing.

asmi · « **Reply #122 on:** 11/10/2014 03:37 am »

All three are safe and sound

asmi · « **Reply #123 on:** 11/10/2014 03:38 am »

Their ride home

asmi · « **Reply #124 on:** 11/10/2014 03:39 am »

Some media from Max Suraev's home town is also on scene.

asmi · « **Reply #125 on:** 11/10/2014 03:40 am »

And the crew is off into the medical tent.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #126 on:** 11/10/2014 03:41 am »

Great work all!

If they do show a decent shot of the Soyuz, please capture it, as I could use it for the article!

asmi · « **Reply #127 on:** 11/10/2014 03:41 am »

Well, this appears to be it for today's landing.

asmi · « **Reply #128 on:** 11/10/2014 03:42 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/10/2014 03:41 am

Great work all!

If they do show a decent shot of the Soyuz, please capture it, as I could use it for the article!

Is it good enough?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #129 on:** 11/10/2014 03:43 am »

They must have heard me

asmi · « **Reply #130 on:** 11/10/2014 03:49 am »

Soyuz landing replay

asmi · « **Reply #131 on:** 11/10/2014 03:52 am »

Just seconds after touchdown (sorry for the blurry image - it was hard to catch it as was shot from ATV).
UPDATE: WOW - some unique slow-motion video of Soyuz tipping over just after touchdown and parachute deflating. It's clearly visible as chute drags capsule tipping it over to the side.

asmi · « **Reply #132 on:** 11/10/2014 03:56 am »

I hope somebody recorded that slow-mo video! I was too slow to react as I watch (and listen to) video on my TV via cable provider, while making screenshots from NASA TV's online webcast.

asmi · « **Reply #133 on:** 11/10/2014 03:59 am »

Ok, this is it for me today. Set up my STB to record video file at 1am hoping they would air that video again

asmi · « **Reply #134 on:** 11/10/2014 04:18 am »

Roscosmos says three humans were not the only passengers on this ride - they were also joined by "space" generation of flies Drosophila melanogaster (this is first generation after a flight of Foton-M 4), which were delivered to ISS on 29th October aboard Progress flight with the goal of studying effects of repeated exposure to microgravity.

Olaf · « **Reply #135 on:** 11/10/2014 05:34 am »

Quote from: robertross on 11/10/2014 01:56 am

A jet will be standing by to ferry Wiseman & Gerst away, stopping in Scotland, where Gerst will be met by ESA reps, with Wiseman travelling on to Houston.

I´ve heard, that Gerst will travel to Cologne in the evening.

John44 · « **Reply #136 on:** 11/10/2014 08:40 am »

Expedition 41 - Farewells and Hatch Closure
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9158

Expedition 41 - Soyuz TMA-13M Undocking
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9159

Expedition 41 - Soyuz TMA-13M Landing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9160

Expedition 41 - Soyuz TMA-13M Landing Replay
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9161

robertross · « **Reply #137 on:** 11/10/2014 12:34 pm »

Quote from: asmi on 11/10/2014 03:59 am

Ok, this is it for me today. Set up my STB to record video file at 1am hoping they would air that video again

Thanks for picking up the coverage.

jacqmans · « **Reply #138 on:** 11/10/2014 05:03 pm »

Quote from: Olaf on 11/10/2014 05:34 am

Quote from: robertross on 11/10/2014 01:56 am
A jet will be standing by to ferry Wiseman & Gerst away, stopping in Scotland, where Gerst will be met by ESA reps, with Wiseman travelling on to Houston.
I´ve heard, that Gerst will travel to Cologne in the evening.

Yes, around 19:00 CET today he is expected to arrive at EAC, DLR in Cologne

jacqmans · « **Reply #139 on:** 11/10/2014 05:04 pm »

jacqmans · « **Reply #140 on:** 11/10/2014 05:20 pm »

November 9, 2014

Space Station Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Three International Space Station (ISS) crew members returned to Earth Sunday after a 165-day mission that included hundreds of scientific experiments and several spacewalks.

Expedition 41 Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineers Reid Wiseman of NASA and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency touched down northeast of the remote town of Arkalyk in Kazakhstan at 10:58 p.m. EST (9:58 a.m., Nov. 10, Kazakh time). While in space, they traveled more than 70 million miles.

During their time aboard the station, the crew participated in research focusing on Earth remote sensing, advanced manufacturing, and studies of bone and muscle physiology. They set a milestone for station science by completing a record 82 hours of research in a single week in July.

A key research focus during Expedition 41 was human health management for long duration space travel, as NASA and Roscosmos prepare for two crew members to spend one year aboard the space station beginning in 2015.

The crew welcomed five cargo spacecraft during its time aboard the orbiting laboratory. Two Russian ISS Progress cargo vehicles docked to the station, bringing tons of supplies in July and October. The fifth and final European Automated Transfer Vehicle, dubbed the Georges Lemaitre after the Belgian physicist who is considered the father of the big-bang theory, launched to the station in July.

In July, Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft completed its second resupply mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract. SpaceX launched its Dragon spacecraft to the station in September, the company's fourth commercial resupply mission.

Wiseman and Gerst ventured outside the confines of the space station for a planned spacewalk to relocate a failed pump module and configure the station for upcoming additions. Wiseman completed a second spacewalk with fellow NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore. Suraev also conducted one spacewalk during Expedition 41.

In addition to being a scientific research platform, the space station also serves as a test bed to demonstrate new technology. The first 3-D printer to be tested in space arrived at the station during Expedition 41. It will be the first step toward establishing an on-demand machine shop in space, which is a critical enabling component for deep space crewed missions and in-space manufacturing.

A new Earth monitoring instrument called RapidScat also was installed and activated on the station during the crew’s time in orbit. RapidScat will measure Earth's ocean surface wind speed and direction, essential measurements used in weather prediction.

Having completed his second space station mission, Suraev now has spent 334 days in space. Wiseman and Gerst have spent 165 days in space with the end of their first flights.

Expedition 42 now is operating aboard the station with Barry Wilmore of NASA in command. Wilmore and his crewmates, Flight Engineers Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, will tend to the station as a three-person crew until the arrival in two weeks of three new crew members: Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti are scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan on Nov. 23 (U.S. time).

For more information on the International Space Station and its crews, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For b-roll and other media resources, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/stationnews

For breaking news and features, follow the station on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Space_Station

jacqmans · « **Reply #141 on:** 11/10/2014 05:21 pm »

Press Release
N°38-2014

Paris, 10 November 2014

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst returns to Earth

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, Russian commander Maxim Suraev and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman returned to Earth today, landing in the Kazakh steppe.

Their return, landing at 03:58 GMT (04:58 CET), was in the same Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft that flew them to the International Space Station on 28 May.

Alexander is now flying straight to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), the home base of all ESA astronauts in Cologne, Germany. ESA's medical team will monitor how he readapts to gravity after spending more than five months in weightlessness.

Media are invited to EAC on 13 November for his first public appearance. The one-hour event includes Alexander's first-hand report and covers the science experiments he ran in space.

Alexander performed over 50 experiments during his flight on the weightless research centre as it circled our planet 400 km up. In just two weeks, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will continue many of the experiments and begin new
ones when she is launched on her 'Futura' mission.

Highlights of Alexander's 'Blue Dot' mission included installing ESA's furnace that can suspend and cool molten metal in mid-air, a spacewalk to maintain and improve the Space Station, and the docking of Europe's last Automated Transfer
Vehicle - the largest spacecraft to supply the research centre.

A large selection of photographs from Blue Dot, most taken by Alexander himself, is available on the Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/astro_alex

The press conference at the European Astronaut Centre starts at 11:00 CET and will last for one hour, with a panel consisting of:

-- Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries,
-- ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst,
-- Director of Human Spaceflight and Operations and former ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter,
-- Chairman of the Executive Board of the DLR German Aerospace Centre Johann Dietrich Wörner,
-- ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain.

The head of the European Astronaut Centre and ESA astronaut Frank De Winne as well as Johann Wörner, Thomas Reiter, and ESA experts will be available for interviews. For operational reasons, there will be no interviews with Alexander.

Media representatives can register for the event here: http://www.amiando.com/AlexanderGerst.html

jacqmans · « **Reply #142 on:** 11/10/2014 06:59 pm »

Arrival of Alexander Gerst at CGN Cologne Airport

Space Pete · « **Reply #143 on:** 11/10/2014 10:05 pm »

Glad the crew got down safe. Very interesting about Gerst returning directly to Cologne too!

asmi · « **Reply #144 on:** 11/11/2014 01:44 am »

Quote from: Space Pete on 11/10/2014 10:05 pm

Glad the crew got down safe. Very interesting about Gerst returning directly to Cologne too!

This is good for ESA - they've acquired enough experience with post-flight rehab to feel confident they can do it themselves. It's a good stepping stone in getting into HSF.

Lewis007 · « **Reply #145 on:** 11/11/2014 07:06 am »

Crew welcoming ceremony in Kazakhstan & arrival of Surayev at Chkalovsky airfield.

jacqmans · « **Reply #146 on:** 11/11/2014 01:52 pm »

Space Pete · « **Reply #147 on:** 11/12/2014 09:32 pm »

Nice video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBAeI136jZk&feature=youtu.be

jacqmans · « **Reply #148 on:** 11/13/2014 02:06 pm »

Gerst during a post flight press meeting today at DLR (photos DLR)

Lewis007 · « **Reply #149 on:** 11/14/2014 11:06 am »

Quote from: jacqmans on 11/13/2014 02:06 pm

Gerst during a post flight press meeting today at DLR (photos DLR)

Link with news on the press conference.
http://www.dw.de/german-astronaut-gerst-sets-sights-on-mars/a-18060864

jacqmans · « **Reply #150 on:** 11/17/2014 06:54 pm »

Lewis007 · « **Reply #151 on:** 12/08/2014 11:15 am »

The ISS-40/41 crew was officially welcomed back in Star City on December 4.

For info, pics and videos, see:
http://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=2816
http://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=2818

jacqmans · « **Reply #152 on:** 06/30/2016 10:50 am »

The Soyuz TMA-13M capsule is now on display at DLR in Cologne, Germany. (I'm not sure if the public can see it also) (photos DLR)

jacqmans · « **Reply #153 on:** 06/30/2016 10:51 am »

At about 44 seconds into this film, you see a yellow car drive by (thats me on my way to the Tim Peake press conference last week at EAC)

jacqmans · « **Reply #154 on:** 06/30/2016 11:22 am »