ISS Expedition 16 Mission Updates: Part 3

Soyuz Commader ?Feeling Fine? After Landing
19 April 2008 5:18 a.m. EDT

Russian Mission Control has radioed the International Space Station the good news: The Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft returning three astronauts to Earth has been found and the crew is in good health.

?They are feeling fine and they are short of the landing site,? Mission Control said.

Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko used a satellite phone to contact recovery forces, which have already spotted the capsule?s landing site.

Returning to Earth with Malenchenko were NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi, all of whom are feeling fine, Malenchenko told recovery crews by phone.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Spacecraft Landed Short
19 April 2008 5:10 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft returning NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and two crewmates to Earth appears to have landed well short of its targeted landing area, though its landing beacon has been detected by recovery forces, NASA commentator John Ira Petty said.

The spacecraft now appears to actually have landed short of its target zone. There is some discussion as to whether the vehicle when into a ballistic reentry, a steeper than normal descent that can subject the crew to higher gravitational forces.

?They are 475 kilometers short and to the west of their landing site,? Russian Mission Control told the International Space Station crew.

Two recovery helicopters are en route to the Soyuz spacecraft.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Spacecraft Overshoots Landing Site
19 April 2008 4:46 a.m. EDT

Flight controllers at Russia?s Mission Control in Korolev, outside Moscow, are reporting that the Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft ferrying astronauts home from the International Space Station has slightly overshot its landing site.

They are awaiting a firm communications link with the spacecraft?s crew: NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflyer So-yeon Yi.

?There was no [communication] with them and nobody saw them,? Russian Mission Control radioed space station Expedition 17 commander Sergei Volkov, adding that the Soyuz appeared to overshoot its landing zone slightly.

The crew was due to land at about 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT, with all procedures going according to plan aside from the overshot, NASA officials said.

Whitson and Malenchenko are returning to Earth after 192 straight days in space. Yi, who launched April 8 with the Expedition 17 crew, is returning after about 10 days in space.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Spacecraft Jettisons Modules for Landing
19 April 2008 4:16 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflyer So-yeon Yi has successfully jettisoned its now-unneeded orbital and service modules, leaving its the crew-carrying return module on track for today?s planned 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) landing.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Engine Burn a Success, Astronauts Headed Home
19 April 2008 3:56 a.m. EDT

After a flawless engine burn by their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflyer So-yeon Yi are on their way home.

The engine burn began on time at 3:40 a.m. EDT (0740 GMT) and lasted about five minutes, NASA commentator John Ira Petty said.

Whitson and her crew are due to land at 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) on the central Asian steppes of Kazakhstan, where a team of helicopters with recovery specialists will greet them after they touch down.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Spacecraft Fires Rocket Engine to Leave Orbit
19 April 2008 3:47 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflyer So-yeon Yi has fired its rocket engine to begin a 4-minute, 19-second maneuver to begin the descent back to Earth.

Malenchenko is watching the maneuver. All continues to go well.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Crew Prepares to Leave Orbit
19 April 2008 3:27 a.m. EDT

NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflyer So-yeon Yi are preparing to leave orbit for the descent back to Earth via short engine burn by their Soyuz spacecraft.

The Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft is due to fire its engines at about 3:40 a.m. EDT (0740 GMT) for about 4 minutes, 19 seconds to slow its rate enough to begin descending through Earth?s atmosphere.

The three segment Soyuz will then separate into three compartments ? the crew-carrying return module, orbital module and the lower, engine-tipped segment. The crew module will descend to Earth under parachutes and braking rockets, while the no longer needed orbital and engine modules will be discarded.

The Expedition 16 crew are due to land at 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) on the central Asian steppes of Kazakhstan, where NASA officials on site are reporting a clear, cloudless sky. The Soyuz undocked smoothly at 1:06 a.m. EDT (0506 GMT).

Here?s a rundown of tonight?s major activities:

Hatch closure: 10:08 p.m. EDT
Undocking: 1:06 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 12:30 a.m. EDT
Deorbit burn: 3:40 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Landing: 4:30 a.m. EDT

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Soyuz Crew Pulls Away From Space Station
19 April 2008 1:53 a.m. EDT

The Russian-built Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft ferrying Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi back to Earth after its undocking from the International Space Station.

With Malenchenko at the helm, the Soyuz spacecraft is now more than 2.5 miles away from the space station. It undocked from its Earth-facing berth on the station?s Zarya control module 1:06:30 a.m. EDT (0506:30 GMT).

NASA commentator Rob Navias, attached to the recovery helicopter team that will retrieve the Soyuz crew after their planned 4:30 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT) return, said it is a clear, cloudless day on the central Asian steppes of their Kazakhstan landing zone.

Here?s a rundown of tonight?s major activities:

Hatch closure: 10:08 p.m. EDT
Undocking: 1:06 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 12:30 a.m. EDT
Deorbit burn: 3:40 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Landing: 4:30 a.m. EDT

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Astronauts Minutes From Undocking from ISS
19 April 2008 1:01 a.m. EDT

Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi are now minutes away from undocking from the International Space Station and begin their trip back to Earth.

They are clad in their Russian-built Sokol pressure suits for the return trip to Earth and are due to undock at about 1:06 a.m. EDT (0506 GMT) from an Earth-facing berth on the station?s Zarya module.

Malenchenko is serving as Soyuz commander and his flying under the callsign Agat, Russian for the gemstone agate.

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Astronauts Prepare to Cast Off From ISS
19 April 2008 12:32 a.m. EDT

Tucked inside their Russian-built Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft, Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi are preparing to undock from the International Space Station and begin their trip back to Earth.

The Soyuz is due to undock at about 1:06 a.m. EDT (0506 GMT). Hatches between the two spacecraft were closed earlier this evening at 10:09 p.m. EDT (0209 GMT).

Whitson and Malenchenko are wrapping up a six-month mission to the station, while Yi is completing a 10-day trip under a commercial agreement between South Korea and the Russian Federal Space Agency. Yi arrived to the station with Expedition 17 commander Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, who are now in control of the outpost alongside NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman.

Here?s a rundown of tonight?s major activities:

Hatch closure: 10:09 p.m. EDT
Undocking: 1:06 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 12:30 a.m. EDT
Deorbit burn: 3:40 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Landing: 4:30 a.m. EDT

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Astronauts Shut Hatches Between Soyuz, ISS
18 April 2008 10:29 p.m. EDT

Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi are inside their Soyuz TMA-11 spacecraft and have shut the hatch leading to the International Space Station as they prepare for their planned Saturday landing.

?The hatches on both sides are closed,? Expedition 17 commander Sergei Volkov radioed to Russian Mission Control in Korolev, outside of Moscow.

Hatches were closed at about 10:09 p.m. EDT (0209 April 19 GMT), NASA said.

Recorded video of their farewell ceremony, which was not televised live, showed Yi and the two Expedition 16 astronauts sharing hearty goodbye hugs with their Expedition 17 replacements.

Here?s a rundown of tonight?s major activities:

Hatch closure: 10:09 p.m. EDT
Undocking: 1:06 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 12:30 a.m. EDT
Deorbit burn: 3:40 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Landing: 4:30 a.m. EDT

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Space Station Crew Prepares for Departure
18 April 2008 9:30 p.m. EDT

Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson, flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi are preparing to shut the hatch between their Soyuz spacecraft and the orbiting lab after a brief farewell ceremony as they prepare to return to Earth Saturday.

Here?s a rundown of tonight?s major activities:

Hatch closure: 10:09 p.m. EDT
Undocking: 1:06 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 12:30 a.m. EDT
Deorbit burn: 3:40 a.m. EDT, coverage begins at 3:15 a.m. EDT
Landing: 4:30 a.m. EDT

Click here for SPACE.com?s preview of the Expedition 16 crew?s landing activities.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 16 crew's landing live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Tariq Malik

Spaceflyers Gather for Welcome Ceremony
10 April 2008 12:03 p.m. EDT

All six spaceflyers convened in the International Space Station for a welcome ceremony to greet two new cosmonauts, Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi.

During the ceremony the crewmembers received calls from gathered international dignitaries at the Russian mission control center outside Moscow.

Volkov, the first second-generation spaceflyer to reach space, received congratulations in Russian from his father, famed cosmonaut Alexander Volkov.

Yi also received many well-wishes from Korean spaceflight representatives.

?I feel really great,? she said. ?I will try to do my best and I will spend all my energy for Koreans.?

The Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft carrying the three new spaceflyers docked with the International Space Station at 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com?s docking story.

NASA is providing live coverage of today?s docking events on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Hatches Open Between Soyuz, ISS
10 April 2008 11:40 a.m. EDT

The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) welcomed aboard three new spaceflyers after opening the hatches between their two spacecraft at 11:40 a.m. EDT (1540 GMT). The ISS is currently passing over South America.

Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson and flight engineers Yuri Malenchenko and Garret Reisman welcomed aboard Expedition 17 cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi. There were hugs all around.

Volkov and Konenenko are beginning a six month stay aboard the orbital lab, and Yi will visit for about nine days before coming home with Whitson and Malenchenko.

The Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft carrying the three new spaceflyers docked with the International Space Station at 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com?s docking story.

NASA is providing live coverage of today?s docking events on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spaceflyers Readying to Enter Space Station
10 April 2008 10:16 a.m. EDT

The two Russian cosmonauts and South Korean astronaut are preparing to open the hatches between their Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) at 10:50 a.m. EDT (1450 GMT).

The hooks and latches between the two vehicles are fully engaged, and astronauts are checking to make sure there are no leaks before they open the hatches.

The Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft carrying Expedition 17 cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi, docked with the International Space Station at 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 GMT).

The crew launched on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on an almost 11-day crew swap mission.

Click here for SPACE.com?s docking story.

NASA is providing live coverage of today?s docking events on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Leak Checks Underway Between Soyuz, ISS
10 April 2008 9:10 a.m. EDT

The hooks and latches between the recently docked Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) are being closed for a hard mate between the two vehicles. Astronauts aboard both vehicles are conducting leak checks as they prepare to open the hatches.

?Hi Yuri, Hi Peggy,? commander Sergei Volkov said in greeting to current space station inhabitants Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko.

The Russian spacecraft ferrying Volkov, along with fellow cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi, docked with the International Space Station at 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 GMT).

The crew launched on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on an almost 11-day crew swap mission.

Click here for SPACE.com?s launch wrap story.

NASA is providing live coverage of today?s docking events on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Docks With International Space Station
10 April 2008 8:57 a.m. EDT

The Russian spacecraft ferrying Expedition 17 cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, and South Korea?s first astronaut, So-Yeon Yi, has docked with the International Space Station at 8:57 a.m. EDT (1257 GMT).

?Everything is nominal,? Volkov said.

The crew launched on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on an almost 11-day crew swap mission.

Click here for SPACE.com?s launch wrap story.

NASA is providing live coverage of today?s docking events on NASA TV. Click here for SPACE.com's NASA TV feed or follow the NASA TV link at the upper left of this page.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Spacecraft Completes Second Orbital Adjustment
8 April 2008 12:03 p.m. EDT

The Russian spacecraft bearing three rookie spaceflyers to the International Space Station (ISS) has completed its second orbital burn to adjust its course toward the orbital lab.

The Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft is currently flying over Western Europe on its journey to dock with the ISS Thursday, April 10 at 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).

The two Expedition 17 cosmonauts, and South Korea?s first astronaut, launched this morning at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it was 5:25 p.m.

Click here for SPACE.com?s launch wrap story.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 17 launch live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Clara Moskowitz

 Expedition 17 Spacecraft Heading to the Space Station
8 April 2008 11:40 a.m. EDT

The three rookie spaceflyers aboard a Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft are orbiting above South America on their journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft has made the first of three orbital adjustment maneuvers to put in on a heading to dock with the orbital lab Thursday, April 10 at 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).

The two Expedition 17 cosmonauts, and South Korea?s first astronaut, launched this morning at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it was 5:25 p.m.

Click here for SPACE.com?s launch wrap story.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 17 launch live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Clara Moskowitz

 
Expedition 17 Reaches Space
8 April 2008 7:28 a.m. EDT

The Expedition 17 cosmonauts, and South Korea?s first astronaut, have reached space.

?We?re feeling fine, everything is nominal,? Volkov reported.

Cosmonauts Sergei Volkov, Oleg Kononenko and South Korean spaceflight participant So-Yeon Yi launched into space aboard a Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft about on time at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it was 5:25 p.m. They are due to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday.

Click here for SPACE.com?s launch preview story.

NASA is broadcasting the Expedition 17 launch live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com?s NASA TV, feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

-- Clara Moskowitz

 
Soyuz Spacecraft on its Way to Space
8 April 2008 7:20 a.m. EDT

The spacecraft is en route to the International Space Station (ISS).

Three spaceflyers launched into space aboard a Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft about on time at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) from the Central Asian spaceport of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it was 5:25 p.m.