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Soyuz TMA-M

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Soyuz TMA-M
ManufacturerEnergia
Country of origin Russia
OperatorRoscosmos
ApplicationsISS crew transport
Specifications
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Design lifeUp to six months docked to ISS
Production
StatusRetired
Launched20
Maiden launch7 October 2010
(Soyuz TMA-01M)
Last launch18 March 2016
(Soyuz TMA-20M)
Related spacecraft
Derived fromSoyuz TMA
DerivativesSoyuz MS

The Soyuz TMA-M was a spacecraft developed by Energia and operated by Roscosmos for human spaceflight. Introduced in 2010, it was a revision of the Soyuz spacecraft with upgrades over its predecessor, the Soyuz TMA. It flew a total of 23 missions from 2010-16, all carrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). It was replaced by the Soyuz MS.

Design

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The primary difference between the Soyuz TMA-M and the earlier Soyuz TMA was the removal of several pieces of outdated equipment, many of which were no longer in production. These included the 70-kilogram (150 lb) main digital computer, called Argon [ru],[1] and its analogue avionics. They were replaced with a new digital computer, the TsVM-101 [ru] and digital avionics.[2]

There were also changes to the spacecraft's structure, such as replacing the magnesium alloy used in the instrument module frame with an aluminium alloy,[2] for easier manufacture.[3] In combination, the changes reduced the vehicle's total mass by 70 kilograms (150 lb).[3] Additionally, power consumption was reduced throughout the ship, improving its overall efficiency.[2]

Flights

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Further information: List of Russian human spaceflight missions § Soyuz TMA-M (2010–2016)

Two development flights were launched: Soyuz TMA-01M on Oct 7, 2010 and Soyuz TMA-02M on Jun 7, 2011. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who flew on TMA-01M, praised the spacecraft's new digital displays, noting that they made flying easier and less demanding.[4]

The third mission, Soyuz TMA-03M, launched on 21 December 2011 and was used for qualification tests. In addition to verifying the nominal operation of the spaceship, the testing included verification of off-nominal modes, such as manual attitude control, issuing of orbital manoeuvring pulses using four berthing and attitude thrusters, and flying around the ISS in manual control mode.[5]

Thereafter the TMA-M entered regular service, where it was used for supply and crew rotation flights to the ISS. The TMA-M variant flew another 20 missions from 2012-16, at a cadence of four times a year, all to the ISS. At that time, the Soyuz TMA-M was the only spacecraft in service that was capable of flying humans to the ISS, so ride-share agreements were in place with other space agencies. All launches carried three astronauts – there were always one or two Russians (from Roscosmos) and one American (from NASA). Half the launches included one astronaut from Europe (ESA), Canada (CSA) or Japan (JAXA).[citation needed]

Replacement

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Further development of the Soyuz capsule design led to the introduction of the Soyuz MS in 2016, which replaced the Soyuz TMA-M.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Argon-16 Computer. Argon Family of Computers". Russian Virtual Computer Museum. 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Soyuz TMA-M manned transport vehicle of a new series". RKK Energia Corporation. 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Soyuz TMA-M variant". russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Three men launched into space for half-year voyage". SpaceflightNow. 2010-10-07.
  5. ^ "Soyuz TMA-M manned transport vehicle of a new series – Flight tests". RKK Energia. 2010.
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