Soyuz TMA-05M facts for kids
| Operator | Roskosmos |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Soyuz-TMA 11F747 |
| Manufacturer | RKK Energia |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 3 |
| Members | Yuri Malenchenko Sunita Williams Akihiko Hoshide |
| Callsign | Agate |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 15 July 2012, 02:40:03 UTC |
| Rocket | Soyuz-FG |
| Launch site | Baikonur 1/5 |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 19 November 2012, 01:53:30 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Docking with ISS | |
| Docking port | Rassvet nadir |
| Docking date | 17 July 2012 04:51 UTC |
| Undocking date | 18 November 2012 22:26 UTC |
| Time docked | 124d 17h 35m |
  (l-r) Malenchenko, Williams and Hoshide Soyuz programme
(Crewed missions) |
|
The Soyuz TMA-05M was a special space mission. It was the 114th time a Soyuz spacecraft flew into space. This mission launched on July 15, 2012. Its main job was to take three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Soyuz spacecraft stayed connected to the ISS during the whole mission. This was important because it could be used as an emergency escape vehicle if needed. The launch also happened on the 37th anniversary of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Soyuz TMA-05M finished its journey and returned safely to Earth on November 19, 2012.
Contents
Meet the Crew
The Soyuz TMA-05M mission carried three brave astronauts to space. They were part of the Expedition 32 crew.
- Commander: Yuri Malenchenko from Roscosmos (Russia). This was his fifth space flight.
- Flight Engineer 1: Sunita Williams from NASA (USA). This was her second space flight.
- Flight Engineer 2: Akihiko Hoshide from JAXA (Japan). This was also his second space flight.
Backup Crew
Sometimes, a backup crew is ready in case the main crew cannot fly. For this mission, the backup crew members were:
- Roman Romanenko from Roscosmos (Russia)
- Thomas Marshburn from NASA (USA)
- Chris Hadfield from the CSA (Canada)
Launch into Space
The Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft was launched on a powerful Soyuz-FG rocket. The launch happened at 2:40 AM GMT on July 15, 2012. It took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The launch went perfectly. Just nine minutes later, the Soyuz spacecraft reached its orbit around Earth. It then began its long journey to catch up with the Space Station. This journey involved 34 orbits around our planet.
Journey to the ISS
The Soyuz spacecraft had to make several adjustments to its speed and path. This helped it slowly catch up to the International Space Station. These adjustments are called "phasing maneuvers."
Docking with the Station
The automated docking process began at 2:31 AM GMT on July 17, 2012. The crew on the ISS also woke up early to help with the docking. Even though the process was automatic, astronauts and mission control watched closely.
As the Soyuz TMA-05M got closer to the ISS, it used its TV system. This helped everyone monitor the approach. When it was about 300 meters away, it performed a "Flyaround." This maneuver helped the Soyuz line up perfectly with its docking port. The docking port was on the Rassvet Module of the ISS.
After lining up, the spacecraft paused for a short time. This allowed controllers to check everything one last time. Then, the final approach began at 4:40 AM GMT.
The Soyuz TMA-05M successfully docked with the ISS at 4:51 AM GMT. This happened while the Space Station was flying over North-East Kazakhstan. After docking, the spacecraft connected firmly to the station. Then, the crew checked for any air leaks. Once everything was safe, the hatches were opened. The three new crew members floated into the ISS. Their arrival brought the space station's crew back to its full size of six astronauts.
Return to Earth
The Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft undocked from the ISS on November 18, 2012. This happened at 10:26 PM GMT. Astronauts Hoshide, Malenchenko, and Williams were inside.
The spacecraft landed safely the next day, November 19, 2012. The landing time was 1:53:30 AM GMT. It landed in Kazakhstan, very close to its target spot. This landing marked the end of Expedition 33 and the beginning of Expedition 34 on the ISS.
Gallery
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The Soyuz TMA-05M crew members conduct their ceremonial tour of Red Square on 22 June 2012.
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Crew members during a suited "fit check" of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
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The spacecraft during pre-launch processing on 8 July 2012.
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The spacecraft being transported to the launch site on 12 July 2012.
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The TMA-05M crew wave to spectators before launch on 15 July 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Soyuz TMA-05M para niños
