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Astronomy: Soyuz spacecrafts
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The Soyuz-TM spacecrafts were used from May 1986 to November 2002 to take astronauts to the Mir spacestation and later to the International Space Station starting as of November 2000. Soyuz means "union" in Russian and it ferried three crewmembers to and from Mir. It was also available as an escape vehicle in the event Mir experienced a life-threatening situation, and was used as a "fly-around" vehicle in the vicinity of Mir. Soyuz-TM had a mass of 7.100 kg, a length of seven meters, a maximum diameter of 2.7 meters, and a pressurized volume of 10 cubic meters. After re-entering the atmosphere a Soyuz capsule deployed parachutes, then fired braking rockets when it was just above the ground. For comparison, all of NASA's pre-shuttle space capsules (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo) made water landings. |
 May 1997, Mir orbiting Earth with a Soyuz-TM docked |
Soyuz-TMAThe Soyuz-TMA spacecraft replaced the Soyuz-TM in 2002. The Soyuz-TMA increased safety, especially in descending and landing.It has smaller and more efficient computers and improved displays and it's more convenient for larger and smaller than average crewmembers. Two new engines reduce landing speed and forces felt by crewmembers by 15 to 30 percent and a new entry control system and three-axis accelerometer increase landing accuracy. Instrumentation improvements include a color "glass cockpit," which is easier to use and gives the crew more information, with hand controllers that can be secured under an instrument panel. All the new components in the Soyuz-TMA can spend up to one year in space. Related subjects>> Mir spacestation>> International Space Station |
 November 2002 the Soyuz-TMA-1 approaching the ISS to dock to the Pirs Docking Compartment. A Soyuz spacecraft generally needs two days after launch to reach the spacestation.  The docking procedure is automated when within 500 feet of the station (150 metres). During docking the crew is located in the instrumentation and propulsion module (between the two solar arrays) and can intervene manually if needed. |
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