Spaceflight Now | Space Station Mission Report

BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the latest on the launch of Expedition 7 to the international space station and the homecoming of Expedition 6. Reload this page for updates.

Video coverage for subscribers only:
   VIDEO: POST-LANDING INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER BOWERSOX QT
   VIDEO: ISS MANAGER SAYS LANDING PROBLEM TO BE EXAMINED QT
   VIDEO: NASA'S DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS QT

   VIDEO: WATCH THE CHANGE-OF-COMMAND CEREMONY QT
   VIDEO: NASA ADMINISTRATOR SEAN O'KEEFE CALLS THE STATION QT
   VIDEO: EXPEDITION 6 CREW BIDS FAREWELL AND BOARDS SOYUZ QT
   VIDEO: 5-MINUTE REPLAY OF SOYUZ TMA-1 UNDOCKING QT

   VIDEO: 'THE EARLY SHOW' INTERVIEW WITH STATION CREWS QT
   VIDEO: LIVE CREW INTERVIEW BY CNN'S MILES O'BRIEN QT
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SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2003
2010 GMT (4:10 p.m. EDT)

Space station commander Kenneth Bowersox, looking relaxed if tired after five-and-a-half months in space and a grueling re-entry, said today he and his crewmates' "eyes got very wide" when computer displays showed their Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft was going to land well off course. Read our full story.

0824 GMT (4:24 a.m. EDT)

NASA spokesman Rob Navias in Kazakhstan now says the plan is to transport the Expedition 6 crew to Astana and then on to Moscow, which was been the original agenda. Earlier, it was announced that the crew would go to Baikonur instead of Astana.

To clarify how the landing situation played out, Navias there was real-time confirmation of touchdown from the Soyuz crew. However, the craft was off course and took a good deal of time to sort out exactly where the capsule had landed and reach that location.

Initially, it was announced that the craft was 30 km off course. That distance has been updated a couple of times by NASA, growing to 460 km.

There is no official word on what caused the Soyuz to land short.

The bottom line is commander Ken Bowersox, cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin and science officer Don Pettit emerged from the Soyuz TMA-1 in good shape after returning to the planet from five-and-a-half months living in space.

0654 GMT (2:54 a.m. EDT)

The recovery forces that have just arrived at the landing site in those two helicopters say the Expedition 6 crew is in good health. The team also reports the Soyuz descent module is on its side and appears to have been drug about 12 meters, presumably by the craft's main parachute, before coming to a stop.

0638 GMT (2:38 a.m. EDT)

Two choppers have now reached the Soyuz spacecraft -- some four-and-a-half hours after the capsule made its off-target touchdown. Another chopper with a NASA doctor and astronaut Mike Foale to assist in recovering the Expedition 6 crew has not yet arrived, however.

0530 GMT (1:30 a.m. EDT)

An upgraded Russian Soyuz TMA spacecraft carrying three returning space station fliers landed some 285 miles short of its target in Kazakhstan this evening, kicking off a hurried search that raised post-Columbia concern among U.S. observers. Read our full story.

0521 GMT (1:21 a.m. EDT)

The revised plan for today has been put together. Once the recovery crews get on the ground at the landing site, Expedition 6 will be flown to the Baikonur Cosmodrome instead of Astana for medical checks today. Baikonur is closer to the actual landing site where the Soyuz touched down. After the exams are completed, the crew will be flown to Star City, which is outside Moscow.

0515 GMT (1:15 a.m. EDT)

Navias says it is not yet known if the Expedition 6 crew will be flown to Astana for medical tests and then on to Star City to be reunited with their families, which was the plan today. But since the Soyuz is 460 km southwest of its target landing zone and several hours of the day have been used up just finding the spacecraft and getting the recovery forces on scene, the crew's agenda for today is now uncertain.

0505 GMT (1:05 a.m. EDT)

Rob Navias of NASA public affairs, flying aboard one of the recovery choppers, reports he has landed for refueling. He says although the Soyuz landed 460 km southwest of the intended site, the Expedition 6 crew is fine. The flight surgeons aboard another chopper is heading to the capsule but when they will arrive is still not clear.

0455 GMT (12:55 a.m. EDT)

The landing site is about 200 km due north of the Aral Sea, Mission Control reports. See a map of the original landing target.

0450 GMT (12:50 a.m. EDT)

NASA says the search plane was able to find the Soyuz after picking up the spacecraft's tracking beacon. The landing site is 49.37 degrees North, 61.2 degrees East, or 460 km southwest -- or short -- of the target.

What caused the capsule to land so far off course is not yet known. This was the first landing for the upgraded Soyuz TMA spacecraft.

0445 GMT (12:45 a.m. EDT)

The aircraft reports the crew is waving!

0443 GMT (12:43 a.m. EDT)

Radio contact with the Expedition 6 crew has been made by the aircraft.

0441 GMT (12:41 a.m. EDT)

The search aircraft reports the Soyuz capsule hatch is open, indicating the crew is in good health, NASA says.

0438 GMT (12:38 a.m. EDT)

Space agency spokesman Kyle Herring says it could be two hours before the recovery helicopters can reach the Soyuz landing site, which is 240 miles short of the expected location. The choppers are carrying the personnel and medical specialists to assist the Expedition 6 crew.

0436 GMT (12:36 a.m. EDT)

NASA flight controllers in Houston report that the Soyuz spacecraft has landed 240 nautical miles southwest of the target landing site. The actual touchdown point is located about 410 nautical miles from the Kazakh capital of Astana.

0430 GMT (12:30 a.m. EDT)

NASA says the lead aircraft of the recovery forces has spotted the Soyuz TMA-1 capsule on the steppes of Kazakhstan. The initial reports indicate the craft appears to be in "good condition" according to NASA spokesman Kyle Herring.

The choppers that are carrying the various teams to the landing site have been forced to stop and refuel. When they might reach the Soyuz has not been announced.

Also still unclear is where, specifically, has the capsule has touched down. NASA says the aircraft found the spacecraft southwest of the intended site, meaning it landed short. How short isn't clear at this point.

0407 GMT (12:07 a.m. EDT)

Now passing the two-hour mark since the planned landing of Expedition 6 aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. There is a lot of confusion at this point. Searchers have still not located the capsule, which is believed to have missed its target touchdown site. NASA had said voice contact between the crew and recovery forces was established, but that may have been during the parachute-controlled descent and not after touchdown.

So details remain very sketchy at this point. We will pass along any developments as they are confirmed.

0356 GMT (11:56 p.m. EDT Sat.)

There has been no further update from NASA. We will post additional information as it becomes available.

0331 GMT (11:31 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Mission Control-Houston reports the choppers remain in a search mode. NASA says recovery forces have been in voice contact with the Expedition 6 crew. However, the capsule hasn't been located.

0319 GMT (11:19 p.m. EDT Sat.)

NASA says the search choppers remain en route to the Soyuz. The capsule has landed off its target tonight -- with the initial estimate of 30 km from the intended point.

0307 GMT (11:07 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Space station program manager Bill Gerstenmaier, aboard one of the recovery helicopters, says it will be another half-hour before the landing site it reached.

0305 GMT (11:05 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The recovery teams still have not made visual sighting of the Soyuz. NASA announced earlier that voice contact was made with the crew.

0250 GMT (10:50 p.m. EDT Sat.)

NASA says the Soyuz landed about 30 km short of the expected point. Confirmation has still not been received of the recovery forces arriving on the scene.

0242 GMT (10:42 p.m. EDT Sat.)

NASA spokesman Rob Navias reports from the landing zone that the Soyuz capsule appears to have touched down about 30 kilometers off the target.

0230 GMT (10:30 p.m. EDT Sat.)

NASA officials in Houston are still awaiting confirmation that the recovery forces have arrived at the Soyuz spacecraft and started the post-landing operations.

0224 GMT (10:24 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The new crew living aboard the space station -- Expedition 7's Yuri Malenchenko and Ed Lu -- have been told of the Expedition 6 landing.

0211 GMT (10:11 p.m. EDT Sat.)

So Expedition 6 is back on Earth after five-and-a-half months in orbit.

Here is the post-landing plan:

A recovery team, including two U.S. flight surgeons and astronaut support personnel, will be in the landing area in a convoy of Russian military helicopters awaiting the Soyuz landing. Once the capsule touches down, the helicopters will land nearby to begin the removal of the crew.

Within minutes of landing, a portable medical tent will be set up near the capsule in which the crew can change out of its launch and entry suits. Russian technicians will open the module's hatch and begin to remove the crew, one-by-one. They will be seated in special reclining chairs near the capsule for initial medical tests and to provide an opportunity to begin readapting to Earth's gravity.

Within two hours after landing, the crew will be assisted to the helicopters for a flight back to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where local officials will welcome them. The crew will then board a Russian military transport plane to be flown back to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, where their families will meet them. In all, it will take at least eight hours between landing and return to Star City.

Assisted by a team of flight surgeons, the crew will undergo at least 16 days of medical tests and physical rehabilitation before Bowersox and Pettit will return to the U.S. for additional debriefings and follow-up exams.

0209 GMT (10:09 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Landing is confirmed by NASA!

0207 GMT (10:07 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Standing by for confirmation of landing.

0206 GMT (10:06 p.m. EDT Sat.)

At one meter above Earth, and just seconds before touchdown, the six solid propellant engines will be fired to ease the capsule on the ground at a velocity of about 1.5 meters per second.

0202 GMT (10:02 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Now 5 minutes from touchdown time.

0159 GMT (9:59 p.m. EDT Sat.)

At an altitude of 5 kilometers, the module's heat shield is scheduled to be jettisoned. This is followed by the termination of the aerodynamic spin cycle and the dumping of any residual propellant from the Soyuz. Computers also will arm the module's seat shock absorbers in preparation for landing.

With the jettisoning of the capsule's heat shield, the Soyuz altimeter is exposed to the surface of the Earth. Using a reflector system, signals are bounced to the ground from the Soyuz and reflected back, providing the capsule's computers updated information on altitude and rate of descent.

0154 GMT (9:54 p.m. EDT Sat.)

After the drogue chute is jettisoned, the main parachute will be deployed.

Connected to the Descent Module by two harnesses, the main parachute covers an area of about 1,000 meters. Initially, the Descent Module will hang underneath the main parachute at a 30-degree angle with respect to the horizon for aerodynamic stability, but the bottommost harness will be severed a few minutes before landing, allowing the Descent Module to hang vertically through touchdown. The deployment of the main parachute slows down the Descent Module to a velocity of about 7 meters per second.

0151 GMT (9:51 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Coming up on chute deployment. At an altitude of about 10 kilometers, traveling at about 220 meters per second, the Soyuz' computers will begin a commanded sequence for the deployment of the capsule's parachutes. First, two "pilot" parachutes will be deployed, extracting a larger drogue parachute, which stretches out over an area of 24 square meters. Within 16 seconds, the Soyuz's descent will slow to about 80 meters per second.

0150 GMT (9:50 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The period of maximum G-loading on the Soyuz is expected to occur at this point in the descent.

0149 GMT (9:49 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Communications have been re-established.

0145 GMT (9:45 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The Expedition 6 crew is currently out of voice communications with Russian flight controllers.

0145 GMT (9:45 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The entry guidance is scheduled to start at this time.

0143 GMT (9:43 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Entry Interface. The Soyuz is now hitting the upper fringes of the atmosphere at an altitude of 400,000 feet.

0141 GMT (9:41 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Module separation has occurred. The three segments of the Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft have jettisoned apart, allowing the Descent Module with the Expedition 6 crew strapped inside to safely ferry the three men back to Earth. The no-longer-needed Orbital Module and Instrumentation and Propulsion Module are designed to burn up in the atmosphere.

A graphical preview of the Soyuz spacecraft's undocking and landing is available here.

Click here to see a map of the landing zone in Kazakhstan.

0137 GMT (9:37 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The Soyuz continues its free-fall toward the atmosphere. Time to touchdown is 30 minutes.

0125 GMT (9:25 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The next key event in the Soyuz entry will be separation of the spacecraft's three sections at 9:40 p.m. EDT.

Just above the first traces of the Earth's atmosphere, computers will command the separation of the three modules of the Soyuz vehicle. With the crew strapped in to the Descent Module, the forward Orbital Module containing the docking mechanism and rendezvous antennas and the rear Instrumentation and Propulsion Module, which houses the engines and avionics, will pyrotechnically separate and burn up in the atmosphere.

The Descent Module's computers will orient the capsule with its ablative heat shield pointing forward to repel the buildup of heat as it plunges into the atmosphere. The crew will feel the first effects of gravity in almost six months at the point called Entry Interface, when the module is about 400,000 feet above the Earth, about 3 minutes after module separation.

0116 GMT (9:16 p.m. EDT Sat.)

BURN COMPLETE! The Soyuz with the three-man Expedition 6 crew aboard has performed its braking maneuver, committing the capsule for its return home. Touchdown in Central Asia is expected at 10:07 p.m. EDT.

0114 GMT (9:14 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The burn continues. The craft is currently flying off the southeast coast of South America.

0112 GMT (9:12 p.m. EDT Sat.)

BURN IGNITION! The Russian Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft has initiated the 4-minute engine firing to slip out of orbit for the trek back to Earth.

0102 GMT (9:02 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Now 10 minutes from the deorbit burn and 65 minutes from landing.

0042 GMT (8:42 p.m. EDT Sat.)

Preparations remain on track for the Soyuz deorbit burn to brake from space. Ignition of that firing is now 30 minutes away. The 4-minute burn will change the craft's speed by 115.2 meters per second.

0035 GMT (8:35 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The weather forecast for the landing area in Kazakhstan calls for light rain and a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees F. Conditions are within allowable limits for a Soyuz return.

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2003
2250 GMT (6:50 p.m. EDT)

The Soyuz and its three passengers -- the Expedition 6 crew -- continues to move away from the station following a smooth undocking today.

The capsule will fire its braking rockets at 9:12:27 p.m. EDT, slowing the craft to drop from orbit for return to Earth. The deorbit burn is scheduled to last until 9:16:42 p.m.

The three sections of the Soyuz capsule are slated to separate apart at 9:40:09 p.m. Atmospheric reentry will follow at 9:43:14 p.m.

The Soyuz descent module will make a parachute touchdown in Kazakhstan at about 10:06:48 p.m.

2246 GMT (6:46 p.m. EDT)

The Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft has fired its thrusters for approximately 15 seconds, providing a boost to increase the rate of separation between the capsule and station.

2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)

UNDOCKING! After an extended five-and-a-half-month mission aboard the international space station, the Expedition 6 crew of Ken Bowersox, cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin and science officer Don Pettit have departed the orbiting lab complex.

With a gentle push by springs, the Soyuz TMA-1 capsule separated from the Pirs docking module at 6:43 p.m. EDT (2243 GMT).

Landing is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. EDT (0207 GMT) tonight in Kazakhstan.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

Confirmation has been received that the hooks are driving open.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

The undocking command has been issued. The hooks and laatches are opening to release the Soyuz capsule from the space station's Russian Pirs docking module.

2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)

The crew is reviewing pressure readings and data with Russian flight controllers. All remains set for undocking as scheduled.

2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT)

The space station soon will be acquired by Russian ground stations in advance of the undocking. The lab complex is also approaching an orbital sunrise.

2225 GMT (6:25 p.m. EDT)

Expedition 6's Nikolai Budarin is in command of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for today's undocking and landing. In about 15 minutes, the order will be sent to begin opening the hooks and latches holding the Soyuz to the space station's Pirs docking module. The capsule then will be pushed away from the station by springs. A separation firing of the Soyuz's thrusters will follow.

2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)

With undocking about a half-hour away, the space station is being manuevered to the proper attitude for the event. Inside the Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft attached to the Pirs docking compartment, the Expedition 6 crew is suited up and going through their procedures for the trip home tonight. No problems have been reported today.

1940 GMT (3:40 p.m. EDT)

The Expedition 6 crew has said its farewell to the Expedition 7 replacement crew and board the Soyuz capsule for tonight's return to Earth. At 3:38 p.m. EDT, the hatchway leading from the space station to the Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft was closed. A series of leak and pressure checks are upcoming as part of the preparations for undocking. The Soyuz is due to leave the station in about three hours.

1910 GMT (3:10 p.m. EDT)

Expedition 6 commander Kenneth Bowersox formally turned over command of the international space station to Expedition 7 commander Yuri Malenchenko today, closing out an extended five-and-a-half-month mission and setting the stage for landing this evening aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Read our full story.

A graphical preview of the Soyuz spacecraft's undocking and landing is available here.

Click here to see a map of the landing zone in Kazakhstan.

1816 GMT (2:16 p.m. EDT)

A formal change-of-command ceremony is underway right now aboard the international space station's Destiny lab module as Expedition 6 hands the outpost to Expedition 7.

The Expedition 6 crew of commander Ken Bowersox, flight engineer Nikolai Budarin and science officer Don Pettit will depart the station aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-1 capsule later today for landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan. See a timeline of undocking and landing.

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2003

The Mission Control Center status report:

International Space Station crewmembers are wrapping up a week largely devoted to handover briefings and activities for the Expedition 7 crew and their Expedition 6 predecessors. The week will culminate with the undocking of the Soyuz TMA-1 from the station at 6:40 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

A little over three hours later, at 10:07 p.m., the Expedition 6 crew, Commander Ken Bowersox, Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit, is scheduled to land in northern Kazakhstan. Their return will end a mission that began with their launch on Nov. 23 and their docking to the orbiting laboratory two days later. Weather for the landing area is predicted to be acceptable.

Expedition 7 Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer and NASA ISS Science Officer Ed Lu spent much of the week learning the ropes aboard their new home, where they are to remain for about the next six months. They also unpacked gear and equipment.

On Thursday, the station�s file server went down. The event was not a serious impediment to crew activities, though flight controllers and computer experts on the ground and the crew did spend time working to restore the server. The server was up and running again by Friday morning. As a result of the incident, the Expedition 7 crew got a quick review on how the server and the station computers function.

Bowersox and Lu did a handover session on Friday with the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) in the U.S. laboratory Destiny. Both the CDRA and the Vozdukh carbon dioxide removal system in the Russian Zvezda Service Module are operating because of five crewmembers being on the station. On Thursday Budarin had temporarily shut down the Vozdukh to install new power cables. Normally only the Vozdukh or the CDRA is running.

On Friday the Expedition 7 crew got familiarization training with the Canadarm2, the station�s robotic arm. That and the CDRA activity were, in contrast to the rest of the week, among the few familiarization periods today. Much of the day was devoted to stowing materials on the station and packing Expedition 6 gear in their Soyuz.

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2003

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft successfully docked with the international space station early today, bringing a two-man "caretaker" crew to the lab complex in a bid to keep the high-maintenance station manned until NASA's space shuttles can resume flights. Read our full docking story.

Video coverage for subscribers only:
   VIDEO: 5-MINUTES OF FINAL APPROACH & DOCKING FROM SOYUZ QT
   VIDEO: STATION'S VIEW OF APPROACHING SOYUZ CAPSULE QT
   VIDEO: CLOSE-UP VIEW OF DOCKING FROM INSIDE STATION QT
   VIDEO: HATCHWAY OPENED AND EXPEDITION 7 ENTERS STATION QT
   VIDEO: VIP CALL FROM RUSSIAN AND U.S. OFFICIALS QT
   VIDEO: POST-DOCKING NEWS CONFERENCE QT
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0727 GMT (3:27 a.m. EDT)

The hatchway between the Soyuz and station has been opened, allowing the Expedition 7 crew to float into the complex. The Expedition 6 crew members are welcoming their replacements. VIP calls are upcoming from U.S. and Russian officials. We'll post a complete wrap-up story of today's docking and welcoming ceremony a little later.

0610 GMT (2:10 a.m. EDT)

The hooks and latches have been engaged, completing the firm docking of Soyuz to its port on the station. A series of leak checks are still to come over the next hour or so before hatch opening.

We'll update this page again when Expedition 7 crew members head inside the station -- their new home for the next half-year.

0557 GMT (1:57 a.m. EDT)

In the next few minutes, the docking probe will be retracted, the hooks and latches will be engaged and a tight seal will be formed between Soyuz and the station. Hatch opening to permit Expedition 7 to enter the station is expected in about 90 minutes.

0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT)

CONTACT AND CAPTURE! The Soyuz TMA-2 spacecraft has docked to the nadir port of the Russian Zarya control module to deliver the two-man Expedition 7 resident crew to the international space station.

0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT)

Ten meters till docking, closing at one-tenth of a meter per second.

0555 GMT (1:55 a.m. EDT)

About 20 meters to go. Good propellant usage rates being reported.

0553 GMT (1:53 a.m. EDT)

Distance is now 40 meters, closing at two-tenths of a meter per second.

0550 GMT (1:50 a.m. EDT)

Soyuz is now inside 60 meters from docking. The KURS rendezvous system remains in control for this automated link up.

0549 GMT (1:49 a.m. EDT)

Following the stationkeeping to verify good alignment and the proper timing for docking, the final approach is now underway. Distance between the two craft is currently 111 meters.

0546 GMT (1:46 a.m. EDT)

Ground controllers have given the Expedition 7 crew on the Soyuz a "go" for docking.

0545 GMT (1:45 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz and station have moved within range of Russian ground station. The capsule is about 150 meters away from docking.

0542 GMT (1:42 a.m. EDT)

Fourteen minutes remains until the docking. Soyuz continues fine-tuning its position in relation to the docking port.

0539 GMT (1:39 a.m. EDT)

Just over 200 meters now. The Soyuz TMA is functioning flawless, Russian mission control reports.

0537 GMT (1:37 a.m. EDT)

Distance between the Soyuz and docking port is now 317 meters, NASA says.

0536 GMT (1:36 a.m. EDT)

Commander Yuri Malenchenko has reported from the Soyuz to Russian flight controllers that everything is going well. The capsule is currently performing the flyaround procedure to align itself with the docking port.

0533 GMT (1:33 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz is currently 800 meters from the station, closing at a rate of 3 meters per second.

0522 GMT (1:22 a.m. EDT)

In about 10 minutes, the Soyuz will begin a flyaround maneuver of the station to position itself a short distance from the Zarya module docking port. It will hold a stationkeeping point for a few minutes before commencing the final approach to docking.

Cameras inside and outside the station will be focused on the Soyuz for a real-life test to determine the capabilities to document approaching spacecraft. NASA is expected to order detailed imagery of space shuttles in the future to look for any thermal protection system damage. Shuttle crews are already training to perform a maneuver to flip orbiters upside down so the station can see the ship's belly for a short time during dockings.

0515 GMT (1:15 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz continues operating in the automated rendezvous sequence that will guide the capsule to its docking with the station at 0556 GMT while flying over Kazakhstan. No problems are being reported so far in this docking operation.

0500 GMT (1:00 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz TMA-2 spacecraft with Malenchenko and Lu aboard is nearing the international space station for docking to the nadir port of the Russian Zarya control module within this coming hour. The link-up to begin the Expedition 7 crew's six months of living on the orbiting outpost is expected around 0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT).

Distance between Soyuz and station is currently about 25 km.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2003
0430 GMT (12:30 a.m. EDT)

Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA flight engineer Edward Lu roared into orbit early Saturday, kicking off a six-month mission to operate the international space station in caretaker mode while NASA struggles to overcome the Feb. 1 Columbia disaster. Read our complete launch story.

Video coverage for subscribers only:
   VIDEO: 11-MINUTE MOVIE OF SOYUZ LAUNCHING EXPEDITION 7 QT
   VIDEO: SPECTACULAR CLOSEUP VIEW OF ROCKET LIFTING OFF QT
   VIDEO: A LARGE CROWD GREETS THE CREW AT LAUNCH PAD QT
   VIDEO: CREW DEPART SUIT-UP BUILDING FOR LAUNCH PAD QT
   VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH CHECK IS CONDUCTED ON LU'S SUIT QT
   VIDEO: COMMANDER MALENCHENKO SUITS UP FOR LAUNCH QT
   VIDEO: ASTRONAUT ED LU DONS HIS RUSSIAN SPACESUIT QT
   VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE FROM KOROLEV QT
   VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH COMMENTS FROM FRED GREGORY QT
   VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL KOSTELNIK QT
   VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE PRECOURT QT
   VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH LU'S FIANCEE CHRISTINE ROMERO QT
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0424 GMT (12:24 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 minutes. Launch of the Soyuz TMA-2 capsule aboard the Russian launcher has been successful today. The craft with Expedition 7 commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA astronaut Ed Lu is scheduled to dock with the international space station on Monday at 0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT).

0410 GMT (12:10 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 16 minutes. NASA reports the official liftoff time was 0353:51 GMT (11:53:51 p.m. EDT).

0409 GMT (12:09 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 15 minutes. Commander Yuri Malenchenko and flight engineer Ed Lu have raised their helmet visors. They are going through their checklists and settling into orbital life.

0408 GMT (12:08 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 14 minutes. NASA says the Soyuz has achieved an orbit of 145 by 113 miles. The craft will be performing a number of maneuvers over the next two days to reach the space station's orbit 250 miles up.

0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 11 minutes, 30 seconds. The power-generating solar arrays on the Soyuz spacecraft are deploying.

0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 11 minutes. Mission Control reports all indications show a successful launch of the Soyuz.

0403 GMT (12:03 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes, 30 seconds. CAPSULE SEPARATION! The Soyuz spacecraft has separated from the spent third stage, having arrived in Earth orbit for a two-day chase to catch the international space station.

0403 GMT (12:03 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes, 5 seconds. The third stage has completed its firing.

0402 GMT (12:02 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 8 minutes. About one minute left in the powered phase of the launch.

0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. Thrust is nominal as Soyuz nears its orbit. Velocity is 13,500 mph.

0400 GMT (12:00 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Third stage performance is reported normal.

0400 GMT (12:00 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes. Rocket stabilization remains normal. Third stage burn continues.

0359 GMT (11:59 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The third stage is up and burning to deliver the Soyuz capsule into Earth orbit.

0359 GMT (11:59 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 5 minutes. The second stage of the Soyuz rocket has shut down and separated as scheduled.

0358 GMT (11:58 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 4 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle control system parameters are normal.

0357 GMT (11:57 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 3 minutes, 30 seconds. Second stage is operating normally, officials report.

0357 GMT (11:57 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 3 minutes, 5 seconds. Velocity 4,700 miles per hour.

0356 GMT (11:56 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 2 minutes, 50 seconds. The safety escape tower and launch shroud have been jettisoned from the atop the Soyuz capsule.

0356 GMT (11:56 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 2 minutes. The four strap-on boosters of the first stage have separated as planned. The second stage core stage continues to fire.

0355 GMT (11:55 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 90 seconds. A good flight being reported.

0355 GMT (11:55 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 60 seconds. Velocity 1,100 miles per hour.

0354 GMT (11:54 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 45 seconds. The first stage engine performance reported normal as the Soyuz punches through a cloud deck.

0354 GMT (11:54 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T+plus 30 seconds. Pitch and roll programs have started to put the vehicle on the proper course.

0354 GMT (11:54 p.m. EDT Fri.)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Russian Soyuz rocket with the Expedition 7 crew to continue human presence aboard the international space station.

0353 GMT (11:53 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 30 seconds. The first umbilical arm has separated from Soyuz. The second will retract in the next few seconds.

0353 GMT (11:53 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 1 minute and counting. Launch sequence start.

0352 GMT (11:52 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 2 minutes and counting. Rocket propellant tank pressurization is underway. The vehicle's onboard measurement system is activated. Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of launch vehicle have been closed.

0351 GMT (11:51 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The nitrogen purge of the combustion chambers of side and central engine pods of the rocket has started.

0350 GMT (11:50 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. The range at Baikonur is verified clear for launch. The launch key has been inserted in the bunker for liftoff.

0349 GMT (11:49 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 5 minutes and counting. Systems of the Soyuz have switched to onboard control, the ground measurement system and commander Malenchenko's controls are being activated. Also, the crew has switched to suit air by closing their helmets.

0348 GMT (11:48 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 6 minutes and counting. The automatic program for final launch operations is being activated.

0344 GMT (11:44 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting. The crew inside the Soyuz capsule are activating recorders to collect data during launch.

0342 GMT (11:42 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 12 minutes and counting. The international space station is currently orbiting 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean, approaching the southern tip of South America where it will be at the time of launch.

0340 GMT (11:40 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 14 minutes and counting. The Soyuz telemetry systems are being activated. They will relay real-time data back to Earth during today's launch.

0337 GMT (11:37 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 17 minutes and counting. Realignment of the Soyuz rocket's trajectory control system has been completed and checks of internal batteries have been performed. The Soyuz telemetry system will soon be activated and monitoring of Soyuz's thermal control system will also begin.

0330 GMT (11:30 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 24 minutes and counting. The countdown is proceeding smoothly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. No problems are being reported and liftoff remains set for 0354 GMT.

0324 GMT (11:24 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The emergency escape system is being armed. The system would be employed if a major malfunction occurs, propelling the Soyuz capsule off the top of the rocket and to safety.

0314 GMT (11:14 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 40 minutes and counting. Leak checks of the crew's launch and entry spacesuits are being performed at this time.

0309 GMT (11:09 p.m. EDT Fri.)

The two-piece service structure that has enclosed the Soyuz rocket at the launch pad during its stay will be retracted now. The towers are rotating to a horizontal position. Several other umbilical arms connecting the rocket to the ground will be retracted at various times later in the countdown.

0304 GMT (11:04 p.m. EDT Fri.)

Launch of the Soyuz rocket remains scheduled for 0354 GMT. Within 10 minutes, the three-stage rocket will deploy the Soyuz TMA-2 capsule into a 233 by 182 km orbit inclined 51.6 degrees to the equator, NASA says.

Two rendezvous burns are scheduled within the first few hours of the mission to boost the Soyuz orbit on its trek to reach the space station. The first -- a 31 meters per second maneuver -- is expected at 0729 GMT. The second -- a 26 m/s burn -- is targeted for 0812 GMT. The spacecraft should achieve an orbit 331 by 303 km.

0254 GMT (10:54 p.m. EDT Fri.)

T-minus 1 hour and counting. Now 60 minutes away from the launch of a three-stage Russian Soyuz rocket with the Expedition 7 crew to continue the permanent human presence in Earth orbit aboard the international space station. As the countdown ticks along, the rocket's control system is currently being readied and activation of the gyroscope instruments is beginning.

0205 GMT (10:05 p.m. EDT Fri.)

Commander Yuri Malenchenko and flight engineer Ed Lu have climbed aboard their Soyuz TMA-2 spacecraft that will take the Expedition 7 crew to orbiting international space station. The two men arrived at suit up room at 2330 GMT. They met the State Commission for final clearance to launch at 0002 GMT and no issues were reported by Yuri Semenov. The crew arrived at the launch pad at 0108 GMT, shortly after fueling operations were completed. They began boarding the vehicle at 0115 GMT.

0100 GMT (9:00 p.m. EDT Fri.)

The two-man Expedition 7 crew has departed the suit-up facility for the ride to the Soyuz launch pad. Launch remains scheduled for 0354 GMT.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2003
2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)

The final five hours of the Soyuz launch countdown are underway. Here is an overview the key events remaining through the 0354 GMT liftoff:

T- 5:00:00 Tanking begins
T- 4:20:00 Spacesuit donning
T- 4:00:00 Booster is loaded with liquid oxygen
T- 3:40:00 Crew meets delegations
T- 3:10:00 Reports to the State commission
T- 3:05:00 Transfer to the launch pad
T- 3:00:00 Vehicle first and second stage oxidizer fueling complete
T- 2:35:00 Crew arrives at launch vehicle
T- 2:30:00 Crew ingress through orbital module side hatch
T- 2:00:00 Crew in re-entry vehicle
T- 1:45:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware tested; suits are ventilated
T- 1:30:00 Launch command monitoring and supply unit prepared
-- Orbital compartment hatch tested for sealing
T- 1:00:00 Launch vehicle control system prepared for use; gyro instruments activated
T - :45:00 Launch pad service structure halves are lowered
T- :40:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware testing complete; leak checks performed on suits
T- :30:00 Emergency escape system armed; launch command supply unit activated
T- :25:00 Service towers withdrawn
T- :15:00 Suit leak tests complete; crew engages personal escape hardware auto mode
T- :10:00 Launch gyro instruments uncaged; crew activates on-board recorders
T- 7:00 All prelaunch operations are complete
T- 6:15 Key to launch command given at the launch site
-- Automatic program of final launch operations is activated
T- 6:00 All launch complex and vehicle systems ready for launch
T- 5:00 Onboard systems switched to onboard control
-- Ground measurement system activated by RUN 1 command
-- Commander's controls activated
-- Crew switches to suit air by closing helmets
-- Launch key inserted in launch bunker
T- 3:15 Combustion chambers of side and central engine pods purged with nitrogen
T- 2:30 Booster propellant tank pressurization starts
-- Onboard measurement system activated by RUN 2 command
-- Prelaunch pressurization of all tanks with nitrogen begins
T- 2:15 Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of launch vehicle are closed
-- Ground filling of oxidizer and nitrogen to the launch vehicle is terminated
T- 1:00 Vehicle on internal power
-- Automatic sequencer on
-- First umbilical tower separates from booster
T- :40 Ground power supply umbilical to third stage is disconnected
T- :20 Launch command given at the launch position
-- Central and side pod engines are turned on
T- :15 Second umbilical tower separates from booster
T- :10 Engine turbopumps at flight speed
T- :05 First stage engines at maximum thrust
T- :00 Fueling tower separates
-- Lift off

2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT)

Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA astronaut Ed Lu are slated to launch aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Central Asia at 0354 GMT Saturday (11:54 p.m. EDT tonight) for the seventh Expedition to the interational space station.

Countdown activities are continuing with no problems being reported by NASA officials. Skies are clear on a starry night in Kazakhstan. The crew left the cosmonauts' hotel at 2039 GMT (4:39 p.m. EDT) for final medical checks and to begin suiting up. Fueling of the Soyuz vehicle is expected to commence shortly.

Watch this page for live updates on the launch!

Read our earlier Mission Status Center coverage.