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Space station crew soars aboard Soyuz rocket BY JUSTIN RAY SPACEFLIGHT NOW Posted: October 13, 2004
The Soyuz TMA-5 capsule blasted into space at 0306 GMT (11:06 p.m. EDT), enjoying an apparently flawless ascent atop its three-stage launcher. Cold, clear skies over Baikonur Cosmodrome offered picture-perfect conditions for spectators watching the rocket rise on the flickering orange flame from the kerosene-fed engines. Video cameras mounted inside the crew module showed Expedition 10 commander Leroy Chiao, station flight engineer Salizhan Sharipov and visiting cosmonaut Yuri Shargin flipping through checklists and monitoring onboard displays as they rocketed to space. Nine minutes after liftoff, the capsule separated from the launch vehicle and followed computer commands to deploy the power-generating solar arrays, navigation antennas and docking probe.
It was the fourth time in less than two years that an American astronaut had launched aboard the Soyuz. The Russian spacecraft is the only option to launch humans to the space station while NASA's shuttle fleet is grounded for safety upgrades in the wake of Columbia. "I continue to be impressed with the safety, reliablity and the dependability in which the Soyuz vehicle gives through its launch. That just gives our astronauts really a good, safe ride up to the International Space Station," Michael Kostelnik, NASA's deputy associate administrator for the shuttle and station programs, said after launch. "In this time of crisis when we have the shuttle not up primarily supporting the International Space Station, I think the support we have gotten from our Russian friends in crew transfer and so forth shows you the strength of how important partnerships are for these complex enterprises in space." The Soyuz capsule was lofted into a preliminary orbit, setting the stage for a highly choreographed series of engine firings over the next two days that will maneuver Soyuz toward the International Space Station. A fully automated docking to the station's Pirs module is scheduled for Saturday morning around 0425 GMT (12:25 a.m. EDT).
"We have a pretty busy docked mission. Obviously, the crew is primarily busy with handover. The old crew -- Expedition 9 -- is showing the ropes to the Expedition 10 crew," said Annette Hasbrook, the Expedition 10 lead flight director in Houston's Mission Control. "As part of that, there will be time spent on SSRMS familiarization -- that is our large robotic arm that is on the space station -- and also time spent in the U.S. airlock working on our (spacewalk) suits." Shargin plans to conduct a series of science experiments during his station visit before returning to Earth with the Expedition 9 crew on the night of October 23, landing in Kazkahstan before dawn.
"It is the expectation they will leave (the station) prepped and ready for the the space shuttle's arrival," Kostelnik said. "A lot of the preparations that they will be doing include pre-packing cargoes that will be returned on the shuttle flight (and) reconfiguring stowage on the ISS," said Susan Brand, NASA's Expedition 10 increment manager. "This will be the program's first opportunity to return items to the ground for either refurb, reuse or failure analysis. So we will be looking forward to getting a lot of hardware home and off the station," Hasbrook added. Chiao and Sharipov are scheduled to land April 25 -- a few weeks before Discovery blasts off on the shuttle return-to-flight mission -- after handing the station to Expedition 11. For a detailed look of the Expedition 10 mission, see our preview story published earlier this week.
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The Russian Soyuz rocket blasts off from Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying the Expedition 10 crew International Space Station for a six-month mission. (2min 25sec file)
This longer-length broadband clip follows the launch of Expedition 10 from the final minute of the countdown through deployment of the Soyuz capsule from the third stage. (10min 15sec file)
The crew members participate in pre-launch traditions before departing their quarters and head for the suitup facility. (2min 01sec file)
After donning their launch and entry spacesuits, each crew member's suit undergoes pressure, communications and other checks. (4min 07sec file)
A delegation of Russian and American officials talk with the crew before departing for the launch pad. (3min 08sec file)
The three space fliers depart the suitup facility and board the bus that will drive them to the launch pad. (1min 52sec file)
Crowds welcome the three-man Soyuz crew upon arrival at the launch pad for boarding the spacecraft. (1min 19sec file)
The service towers enclosing the Soyuz rocket on the launch pad are retracted about 40 minutes before liftoff time. (1min 06sec file)
Fred Gregory, NASA's deputy administrator and former astronaut, gave this interview after the Expedition 10 launch. (2min 01sec file)
Michael Kostelnik, NASA's deputy associate administrator for the shuttle and station programs, gave this interview after launch. (2min 47sec file)
Post-launch interview with chief NASA astronaut Kent Rominger from Baikonur Cosmodrome. (2min 34sec file)
The State Commission hears from senior Russian and American officials before giving final approval to launch Expedition 10 to the International Space Station. (13min 46sec file)
The Soyuz crew holds a final pre-launch news conference with reporters at Baikonur Cosmodrome on Wednesday. (17min 24sec file)
A brief preview of the Expedition 10 mission aboard the International Space Station is provided in this narrated video. (5min 03sec file)
This narrated biography offers an interest glimpse at the backgrounds of Expedition 10 commander Leroy Chiao and flight engineer Salizhan Sharipov. (4min 43sec file)
Technicians attach the escape tower and mount the Soyuz TMA-5 capsule to the launch vehicle's core stage during final assembly of the Soyuz rocket that will carry the Expedition 10 crew. (1min 37sec file)
The Expedition 10 crew's Soyuz rocket is transported by locomotive from its assembly hangar to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad at sunrise on Oct. 12. (2min 02sec file)
The Soyuz rocket is lifted upright to stand on the launch pad following its morning rollout in preparation for liftoff to the International Space Station. (1min 18sec file)
