Soyuz TMA-05M Союз ТМА-05M
Mission insignia
Mission statistics
Mission name	Soyuz TMA-05M Союз ТМА-05M
Crew size	3
Call sign	Agate
Launch pad	Gagarin's Start (LC-1/5), Baikonur Cosmodrome
Launch date	15 July 2012, 02:40:03 UTC[1][2]
Landing	19 November 2012, 01:53:30 UTC
Crew photo
(l-r) Malenchenko, Williams and Hoshide
Related missions
Previous Subsequent Soyuz TMA-04M Soyuz TMA-06M

Soyuz TMA-05M is the 114th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft. It was launched on 15 July 2012, transporting three members of the Expedition 32 crew to the International Space Station (ISS).^[1][3] The Soyuz remained docked to the ISS throughout the mission to serve as an emergency escape vehicle. The launch also coincided with the 37th anniversary of the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Soyuz TMA-05M successfully returned to Earth on 19 November 2012.^[4]

Crew [edit]

Backup crew [edit]

Launch [edit]

The Soyuz TMA-05M mission lifts-off to the ISS on 15 July 2012.

Soyuz TMA-05M was launched atop of a Soyuz FG rocket at 2:40 GMT on July 15, 2012 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Following the flawless launch, the Soyuz spacecraft successfully achieved orbital insertion 9 minutes later and began its 34-orbit journey to the Space Station.

Docking [edit]

The spacecraft shortly before docking with the ISS on 17 July 2012.

As part of its phasing maneuvers to catch up with the ISS, 3.5 and 4.5 hours into the mission, the Soyuz Spacecraft performed two large SKD Main Propulsion System Burns changing the vehicle's speed by 41.5 m/s and 23.9 m/s, respectively.^[9] These burns were followed by a minor maneuver on July 16 for a velocity change of two m/s. The on time automated docking sequence began at 2:31 GMT on July 17, 2012.

The Crew activated the KURS Navigation System that provides accurate range and velocity data for the spacecraft's on-board computers. The station crew of Padalka, Revin and Acaba got up early changing their sleep cycles to support the rendezvous and docking operations of the Soyuz. Although the rendezvous and docking sequence is fully automated, cosmonaut Malenchenko and Russian mission controllers in Korolev, Moscow monitored the systems as well. As Soyuz TMA-05M approached the ISS, the spacecraft completed a series of trajectory correction maneuvers. At a range of 8 Kilometers to the space station, the Soyuz activated its TV system needed for automated operation monitoring. At a distance of 300 meters to the space station, Russian flight controllers issued a "GO" for the Flyaround to align Soyuz TMA-05M with the docking port on the Rassvet Module.

With the Flyaround completed, a short period of Stationkeeping was initiated at a range of 190 meters. The opportunity gave the flight controllers a chance to check the Soyuz systems and the alignment with the docking port. The crew was given a "GO" and the final approach commenced at 4:40 GMT.

Soyuz TMA-05M completed a successful docking at 4:51 GMT while the space station was flying high above North-East Kazakhstan: one minute earlier than planned. Shortly after, the docking probe was retracted and hooks started closing to establish the hard mate. The hard mate was followed by the standard one hour leak check operations. After leak checks were completed, the crew opened the hatches and floated into the ISS. The arrival of Malenchenko, Williams and Hoshide on board Soyuz TMA-05M restored the space station's crew to full strength at six.

Return to Earth [edit]

Wikinews has related news: Expedition 33 crew returns to Earth

Soyuz TMA-05M undocked from the ISS on 18 November 2012 at 10:26 PM (GMT), carrying Hoshide, Malenchenko and Williams, and landed safely at 1:53:30 AM (GMT) the following day.^[4] A source at Energia told the Novosti news agency that the location was 51°.05 N, 67°.16 E in Kazakhstan, about 4.7 km from the aim point. Confusion during the NASA TV broadcast of the event led to some,^[10] including NASA's own Media Services,^[11] recording the landing time incorrectly as 01:56. The spacecraft's departure marked the end of Expedition 33 and the start of Expedition 34.

Gallery [edit]

References [edit]

v t e Human spaceflights to the International Space Station Current Soyuz TMA-08M Planned Soyuz TMA-09M Soyuz TMA-10M Soyuz TMA-11M Soyuz TMA-12M Soyuz TMA-13M Soyuz TMA-14M Soyuz TMA-15M Soyuz TMA-16M Soyuz TMA-17M Completed STS-88 STS-96 STS-101 STS-106 STS-92 Soyuz TM-31 STS-97 STS-98 STS-102 STS-100 Soyuz TM-32 STS-104 STS-105 Soyuz TM-33 STS-108 STS-110 Soyuz TM-34 STS-111 STS-112 Soyuz TMA-1 STS-113 Soyuz TMA-2 Soyuz TMA-3 Soyuz TMA-4 Soyuz TMA-5 Soyuz TMA-6 STS-114 Soyuz TMA-7 Soyuz TMA-8 STS-121 STS-115 Soyuz TMA-9 STS-116 Soyuz TMA-10 STS-117 STS-118 Soyuz TMA-11 STS-120 STS-122 STS-123 Soyuz TMA-12 STS-124 Soyuz TMA-13 STS-126 STS-119 Soyuz TMA-14 Soyuz TMA-15 STS-127 STS-128 Soyuz TMA-16 STS-129 Soyuz TMA-17 STS-130 Soyuz TMA-18 STS-131 STS-132 Soyuz TMA-19 Soyuz TMA-01M Soyuz TMA-20 STS-133 Soyuz TMA-21 STS-134 Soyuz TMA-02M STS-135 Soyuz TMA-22 Soyuz TMA-03M Soyuz TMA-04M Soyuz TMA-05M Soyuz TMA-06M Soyuz TMA-07M