The fourth generation, Soyuz

-
See also previous articles Soyuz spacecraft second generation and Soyuz spacecraft first generation.

 The fourth generation of Russian Soyuz program can be divided into several groups according to version:

Soyuz-TM (1986-2003) were used for ferry flights to the space station Mir and to the space station ISS (International Space Station). M stands for the modified Soyuz. It had new Kurs approach system (see previous article The third generation Soyuz T). TM version also included the Progress M series of cargo supply spacecrafts. 

Soyuz-TM

The first Soyuz-TM flight was unmanned test flight Soyuz TM-1 launched on May 21, 1986 and the final Soyuz-TM flight was Soyuz TM-34 launched on April 25, 2002. The first crew was taken to Mir in 1987.

Soyuz-TMA (2003-2012) underwent several changes mostly what was requested by NASA in order to service the International Space Station, such as increased weight of the crew, improved parachute system. From outside it looks the same as the previous version, but inside the spacecraft it allows also taller members with adjustable seats.

Soyuz-TMA

Soyuz-TMA-M (2012-2016) is upgraded from the previous version, such as digital displays (it was sometimes used digital Soyuz) and docking equipment. 36 old instruments were replaced with 19 new systems, which resulted with total mass savings.
Soyuz.TMA-M during launch
  • Soyuz TMA-01M was Soyuz spaceflight that transported 3 members of the Expedition 25 to the ISS on October 7, 2010. Astronaut Scott Kelly from NASA was onboard. 
Soyuz-TMA-01M being roll out in Baikonur


  • Soyuz TMA-02M was a space mission that transported 3 members of the Expedition 28crew to the ISS on June 7, 2011.  
  • Soyuz TMA-03M was a spaceflight to the IISS. It was launched on December 21, 2011 carrying 3 members of Expedition 30 to the ISS. 
  • Soyuz TMA-04M was a spaceflight of Expedition 31 to the ISS. It was launched on May 15, 2012. 
  • Soyuz TMA-05M was a spaceflight of Expedition 32 to the ISS. It was launched on July 15, 2012. It occurred on 37th anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Apollo-Soyuz.  
  • Soyuz TMA-06M was a spaceflight of Expedition 33 to the ISS. It was launched on October 23, 2012.
  • Soyuz TMA-07M was a spaceflight of expedition 34 to the ISS. It was launched on December 19, 2012. 
  • Soyuz TMA-08M was a spaceflight of expedition 35 to the ISS. It was launched on March 28, 2013. The highlight of the mission was the expedited docking. 
  • Soyuz TMA-09M was a spaceflight of expedition 36 to the ISS. It was launched on May 28, 2013. 
  • Soyuz TMA-10M was a spaceflight of expedition 37 to the ISS. It was launched on September 25, 2013. 
  • Soyuz TMA-11M was a spaceflight of expedition 38 to the ISS. It was launched on November 7, 2013. It was the first time since October 2009 when 9 people were on the station without presence of the space shuttle. 
  • Soyuz TMA-12M was a spaceflight of expedition 39 to the ISS. It was launched on March 25, 2014. 
  • Soyuz TMA-13M was a spaceflight of expedition 40 to the ISS. It was launched on May 28, 2014. 
  • Soyuz TMA-14M was a spaceflight of expedition 41 to the ISS. It was launched on September 25, 2014. 
  • Soyuz TMA-15M was a spaceflight of expedition 42 to the ISS. It was launched on November 23, 2014. 
  • Soyuz TMA-16M was a spaceflight of expedition 43 to the ISS. It was launched on March 27, 2015. S. Kelly and M. Korniyenko performed 1 year stay at the station. They have returned in Soyuz TMA-18M. 
  • Soyuz TMA-17M was a spaceflight of expedition 44 to the ISS. It was launched on July 22, 2015. 
  • Soyuz TMA-18M was a spaceflight of expedition 45 to the ISS. It was launched on September 2, 2015. S. Kelly and M. Korniyenko returned with this in March 2016 after 12 months in space.  
  • Soyuz TMA-19M was a spaceflight of expedition 46 to the ISS. It was launched on December 15, 2015.
  • Soyuz TMA-20M was a spaceflight of expedition 47 to the ISS. It was launched on March 18, 2016. It was the final flight of Soyuz TMA-M, which was replaced by Soyuz MS. 


Soyuz TMA-20M approaching ISS

Soyuz-MS (since 2016) is the newest version, including more efficient solar panels, more efficient docking system, newest computer, digital telemetry and command system, GPS system etc. 
Soyuz-MS docked with ISS
Soyuz MS-01 was the first flight to ISS in the newest version of Soyuz launched on July 7, 2016. 
Soyuz MS-02 was planned to be launched on September 26, 2016, but due to technical problems it was launched on October 19, 2016 and docked with the ISS. During the return the capsule suffered partial depressurization about 8 km above the ground. The crew was generally in safe at that time.   
Soyuz MS-03 was launched on November 17, 2016. 
Soyuz MS-04 was a Soyuz spaceflight that launched on 20 April 2017 to the ISS.
Soyuz MS-05 was a Soyuz spaceflight which launched on 28 July 2017.
Soyuz MS-06 was a Soyuz spaceflight which launched on 13 September 2017.
Soyuz MS-07 was a Soyuz spaceflight launched on 17 December 2017.
Soyuz MS-08 was a Soyuz spaceflight that launched on 21 March 2018.

Soyuz MS-07 Launch


Soyuz MS-09 is a Soyuz spaceflight planned for 06 June 2018.

Back to the Moon

All the changes made on Soyuz since 2010 can be extended further as I have read some discussions in the internet. Of course all it depends on funding and political interests. It would require new materials for the parachutes, adding communication gear for the lunar missions, or adding capsule's heat shield. 

That could bring us to the beginning of the journey and get human being back to the Moon.

I will come back to the topic soon.  


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nozzles on Vacuum Optimazed Rockets vs. Nozzles on Sea Level Engines

-
Image
Why are sizes of rocket nozzles in second or upper-stage engine bigger than those used by sea-level engines? A sea-level optimized Raptor nozzle (on the left) stands next to a vacuum-optimized Raptor nozzle (on the right) at the SpaceX development facility in McGregor, Texas. Credit: SpaceX  Well, the answer is quite simple. A vacuum- optimized  rocket engine nozzle is bigger then a sea-level engine nozzle since it needs to match the significantly lower air density in the upper atmosphere and in space. Let's have a look in more detail. For a rocket engine is important to operate at its most efficient level, which means to produce the maximum amount of thrust. It is a key for the hot gases exiting the engine nozzle to match the external air ambient pressure. The importance of this is clear when you realize that the air pressure at sea level is about 1000 millibars, or 100 kPa, and it decreases with increasing altitude. The value quickly decreases with altitude to 100 millibars,...
Read more

Thrust vectoring

-
Image
Thrust vectoring, known as well as thrust vector control, is the ability of an aircraft, rocket, or other vehicle to control the direction of the thrust from its engine to control the attitude or angular velocity of the vehicle. Thrust vectoring is often referred to as gas-dynamic steering or gas-dynamic control. When rockets and ballistic missiles fly in thinner atmosphere, aerodynamic control surfaces are less effective, so thrust vectoring is the primary goal of attitude control.  For aircraft, the method originally developed to provide upward vertical thrust to give aircraft vertical (VTOL) or short (STOL) takeoff and landing ability. Later it was realized that using vectored thrust in combat situations is useful for the aircraft performance and maneuverability. Aircraft that use no thrust vectoring must rely only on aerodynamic control surfaces, such as ailerons or elevator. Aircraft with vectoring must still use control surfaces, but it is not limited so much by them. A verti...
Read more

Tsiolkovsky rocket equation

-
Image
Tsiolkovsky rocket equation The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, or the classical rocket equation, or ideal rocket equation is an equation that mathematically describes the relationship between the mass of a rocket including the fuel and the propellant being expelled to allow for the rocket to move.  The lower the weight, the easier it is to escape the Earth’s gravitational pull. There is an interesting thought. The fuel is also part of the rocket weight that is being transported, which means that you need some fuel to carry fuel. SpaceX Falcon Heavy. Source> wiki It is credited to Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, who independently derived it and published it in 1903, although it had been independently derived and published already by William Moore in 1810, and later published in a separate book in 1813. Robert Goddard also developed the equation independently in 1912, and Hermann Oberth derived it independently about 1920. Initially at time  t  = 0, the mass of the rocke...
Read more