Expedition 21 Mission Updates

by Space.com, staff

Date: 20 December 2009 Time: 04:30 PM ET

All Three Spaceflyers Safely Exit Spacecraft
1 December 2009 2:49 a.m. EST

Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk and Belgian spaceflyer Frank DeWinne have all exited their Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft after its successful landing in Kazakhstan. The crewmembers have been placed on stretchers and transported to all-terrain vehicles that will take them away from the landing site.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Expedition 21 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.

Spaceflyers Begin to Exit Soyuz Spacecraft
1 December 2009 2:39 a.m. EST

Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko has exited the Soyuz spacecraft after its successful landing. The other two astronauts onboard should be following soon.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Search and Recovery Forces Arrive at Soyuz Landing Site
1 December 2009 2:32 a.m. EST

The search and recovery forces have arrived at the Soyuz spacecraft and will begin to open the hatches and retrieve the three spaceflyers inside. The crew capsule has landed upright on the ground in Kazakhstan, as opposed to on its side as often happens if there is strong wind. This orientation of the module should make it easier to extract the crew.

-- Clara Moskowitz

TOUCHDOWN! Soyuz Lands in Kazakhstan
1 December 2009 2:18 a.m. EST

The Russian Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft landed safely and on-time in Kazakhstan carrying three space station crewmembers returning from a six-month tour of duty on the station.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Parachutes Open on Soyuz Spacecraft
1 December 2009 2:09 a.m. EST

The parachutes on the Russian Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft have opened to soften the capsule's descent to Earth. The crew module, carrying three spaceflyers, is slated to land in Kazakhstan at 2:16 a.m. EST (0716 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft Separates in Preparation for Landing
1 December 2009 1:52 a.m. EST

The Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying three crewmembers home from the International Space Station has separated into its component modules in preparation for a landing in Kazakhstan at 2:16 a.m. EST (0716 GMT).

The spaceflyers will ride the cone-shaped descent module down through the atmosphere, and parachutes will open to soften the capsule's landing.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Fires Engine to Begin Descent to Earth
1 December 2009 1:27 a.m. EST

The Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying three crewmembers home from the International Space Station has fired its engines in a "de-orbit burn" to drop out of Earth orbit and begin the trip down to the ground. The spacecraft is due to land at 2:16 a.m. EST (0716 GMT) in Kazakhstan, where temperatures now are sub-zero.

While helicopters normally wait at the scene to pick up the spaceflyers after they land, the aircraft have been grounded by the extremely cold weather. Instead, the Russian Federal Space Agency is sending personnel in all-terrain vehicles to recover the crew.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Space Crew Undocks From Station
30 November 2009 10:57 p.m. EST

Three spaceflyers aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft have undocked from the International Space Station to begin their return trip home to Earth. The crew is slated to land at 2:16 a.m. EST (0716 GMT) on the steppes of Kazakhstan to complete a six-month space journey.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Spaceflyers Close Hatches Between Soyuz and Space Station
30 November 2009 7:45 p.m. EST

The three astronauts set to depart from the International Space Station tonight have said their last goodbyes to the two remaining spaceflyers left onboard the orbital outpost and closed the hatches between the station and their Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Belgian astronaut Frank DeWinne, Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk are slated to undock from the station at 10:53 p.m. EST Monday (0353 Tuesday GMT), and land at 2:16 a.m. EST (0716 GMT) on the steppes of Kazakhstan.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Space Station Crew to Depart ISS Tonight
30 November 2009 5:00 p.m. EST

Three spaceflyers on the International Space Station (ISS) plan to depart the orbital lab tonight and land in Kazakhstan aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The crew plans to say farewell to their station crewmates at 7:30 p.m. EST (0030 Tuesday GMT), and close the hatches between the two spacecraft at 7:50 p.m. EST.

-- Clara Moskowitz

DOCKING! New Poisk Module Arrives at Space Station
12 November 2009 10:45 a.m. EST

Russia?s brand-new Poisk module has successfully arrived at the International Space Station, with docking occurring at 10:41 a.m. EST (1541 GMT) as the two craft flew 222 miles above northern Kazakhstan, the Central Asian country that is home to the module?s launch site. Watch it live on NASA TV.

?Contact confirmed!? Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suarev said as the unmanned module arrived. Mission Control in Moscow congratulated the station crew for the smooth docking.

Station astronauts are now conducting leak checks.

-- Tariq Malik

NASA will broadcast the arrival of the Poisk module to the space station 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.

Station?s New Poisk Module Moves into Docking Position
12 November 2009 10:24 a.m. EST

The space station?s new Russian-built module Poisk is now moving into position for today?s planned 10:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT). Watch it live on NASA TV.

The spacecraft is a few hundred meters from the station and creeping ever closer as it approaches its rooftop berth on the outpost?s Russian Zvezda service module.

-- Tariq Malik

Russian Module Poisk Closes in on ISS
12 November 2009 10:07 a.m. EST

The new Russian-built module Poisk is closing in on the International Space Station for today?s planned 10:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT). The spacecraft is about 4 kilometers from the space station and will dock at a rooftop berth on the outpost?s Russian Zvezda service module. Watch it live on NASA TV.

Poisk, whose name means ?search? or ?explore? in Russian, launched toward the station on Tuesday.

-- Tariq Malik

New Russian Module Due at ISS Today
12 November 2009 8:00 a.m. EST

A new Russian-built module that can also serve as a docking port and airlock is headed for a planned 10:43 a.m. EST (1543 GMT) arrival at the International Space Station today. The small module, called Poisk (Russian for ?search? or ?explore?), launched toward the station on Tuesday.

NASA will broadcast?s Poisk?s arrival to the top of the station?s Russian- built Zvezda service module live on NASA TV beginning at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT).

-- Tariq Malik

Crew Safe on the Ground
11 October 2009 1:00 a.m. EDT

All three Soyuz crewmembers have exited their Soyuz spacecraft and are recuperating on the ground after landing in Kazakhstan.

The crew appears in good spirits and space tourist Guy Laliberte is wearing his signature red clown nose as ground crews attend to him.

Soyuz commander Gennady Padalka of Russia and NASA astronaut Mike Barratt are also on the ground, getting used to Earth gravity by reclining in chairs before they are taken to a medical tent set up to make sure they are in good health.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Expedition 20 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.

Crew Begins to Exit Spacecraft
11 October 2009 12:48 a.m. EDT

The hatches of the Soyuz TMA-14 have been opened and the crew has begun to exit the spacecraft, which landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan at 12:32 a.m. EDT (1632 GMT).

The three spaceflyers - tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Gennady Padalka of Russia and Mike Barratt of the United States - are resting in chairs with ground crews helping them.

Padalka, who exited first, is eating an apple.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Landing! Soyuz Touches Down in Kazakhstan
11 October 2009 12:32 a.m. EDT

Space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Gennady Padalka of Russia and Mike Barratt of the United States landed safely aboard their Soyuz spacecraft.

The crew touched down on the steppes of Kazakhstan at 12:32 a.m. EDT (1632 GMT) as billowing parachutes softened their descent.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Parachutes Deploy
11 October 2009 12:17 a.m. EDT

Parachutes on the Soyuz spacecraft ferrying three spaceflyers back to Earth have deployed to soften the capsule's descent toward Earth.

Russian commander Gennady Padalka radioed Mission Control in Moscow to say he and his two co-flyers were feeling fine.

Padalka is set to land with NASA astronaut Mike Barratt and space tourist Guy Laliberte on the steppes of Kazakhstan at 12:31 a.m. EDT (1631 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft Separates Into Sections
11 October 2009 12:07 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz spacecraft ferrying three spaceflyers back to Earth has separated into its three segments in preparation for landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan.

Everything has been proceeding normally, and the spacecraft is set to enter Earth's atmosphere in a matter of minutes.

"We are nominal," Soyuz commander Padalka said.

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Fires Engines to Begin Landing Sequence
10 October 2009 11:46 p.m. EDT

The Soyuz spacecraft set to carry three spaceflyers home has executed a "de-orbit burn" - a firing of its engines to exit orbit and begin descending toward Earth.

The spacecraft is set to land in Kazakhstan at 12:31 a.m. EDT Oct. 11 (1631 GMT).

"We don't have any comment, everything is nominal," Padalka said of the process so far.

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Clown, Spaceflyers Undock from Space Station
10 October 2009 9:07 p.m. EDT

Undocking is confirmed between the space station and the Soyuz spacecraft carrying space clown Guy Laliberte, previous station commander Gennady Padalka, a Russian cosmonaut, and NASA astronaut Mike Barratt.

"Goodbye station," Padalka said.

"You were a great example for how to be a wonderful commander and I will try to do as good of a job," replied new commander Frank De Winne of Belgium.

Padalka's Russian colleague, Maxim Suraev, radioed goodbye from the station.

"Gennady, good luck," Suraev said. "You look wonderful against those backdrops of black space. It's amazing, I don?t have enough words. Good luck to all of you. Stay safe. Have a nominal landing."

Padalka thanked him.

"Call me if you have any questions, cause I know you will," he teased.

The spaceflyers are scheduled to land in Kazakhstan at 12:31 a.m. EDT Oct. 11 (1631 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz 'Go' For Undocking
10 October 2009 9:05 p.m. EDT

The Soyuz spacecraft set to carry three spaceflyers home to Earth has been given a "go" to undock from the International Space Station.

Space tourist Guy Laliberte - acrobat and founder of Cirque du Soleil - along with Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and NASA astronaut Mike Barratt are scheduled to undock at 9:07 p.m. EDT (0107 GMT Sunday), and land in Kazakhstan at 12:31 a.m. EDT Oct. 11 (1631 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Hatch Closed on Earth-bound Soyuz Craft
10 October 2009 6:06 p.m. EDT

The three spaceflyers aboard the Soyuz TMA-14 have closed the hatch between their craft and the International Space Station in preparation for undocking and heading home to Earth.

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Spaceflyers Say Farewells
10 October 2009 5:45 p.m. EDT

Space tourist Guy Laliberte - acrobat and founder of Cirque du Soleil - along with Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and NASA astronaut Mike Barratt are due to leave the International Space Station (ISS) today.

Laliberte wore his trademark red clown nose as he hugged his co-flyers goodbye.

"I would like to express my gratefulness to all my crewmates," said departing station commander Padalka during a ceremony to hand over control of the station to new commander Frank De Winne. "Without my crewmates I would be nothing as commander."

The three are saying farewell to their crewmembers onboard the orbiting laboratory in preparation for closing the hatches between the ISS and their Soyuz vehicle at 6:00 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT). They are scheduled to undock at 9:07 p.m. EDT (0107 GMT Sunday), and land in Kazakhstan at 12:31 a.m. EDT Oct. 11 (1631 GMT).

"For a first flight I'm probably one of the luckiest astronauts," said Barratt, a rookie flyer. "My first flight was incredible."

Click here for SPACE.com's landing preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

New Crew Welcomed to Space Station
2 October 2009 8:12 a.m. EDT

The three new arrivals on the space station are settling into their new home-away-from-home after docking at the ISS this morning.

NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, and Canadian space tourist Guy Laliberte are familiarizing themselves with the station through a safety tour led by current station commander Gennady Padalka. The docking brings the current tally of people onboard the station to a total of nine. The large group held a welcome ceremony this morning and said hello to family and officials on the ground during a joint press conference.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Expedition 21 mission to the space station 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.

Crew Conference Underway on ISS
2 October 2009 7:20 a.m. EDT

The nine spaceflyers aboard the International Space Station are communicating with Earth through a live press conference with officials gathered at Russia?s Mission Control Center near Moscow. The new arrivals to the space station were able to greet their families via webcam, and space officials on the ground congratulated them on their launch and arrival.

"We had a great trip up here and we're happy to be onboard in good company," said Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut who just arrived.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Hatches Open Between Soyuz and ISS
2 October 2009 7:00 a.m. EDT

The hatches are open between the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS), and astronauts have travelled through to greet each other with hugs and cheers.

The astronauts were able to verify the seals between the two crafts early, and opened the hatches early, at 6:57 a.m. EDT (1057 GMT).

The Soyuz arrived earlier this morning bearing a space tourist and two new crewmembers for the station.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Astronauts Check Seals Between Soyuz and ISS
2 October 2009 6:50 a.m. EDT

Astronauts aboard the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) are checking the seals between their two vehicles in preparation for opening the hatches around 7:40 a.m. EDT (1140 GMT).

The Soyuz arrived earlier this morning bearing a space tourist and two new crewmembers for the station.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Docking! Soyuz Arrives at ISS
2 October 2009 4:35 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft has arrived at International Space Station (ISS) after a two day space chase. The spacecraft is delivering Canadian acrobat space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Maxim Suraev, a Russian cosmonaut. The latter are set to begin six-month stays on the International Space Station, while Laliberte will visit for about 10 days.

The crew is set to open the hatches between the vehicle and the station at 7:40 a.m. EDT (1140 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Makes Final Approach to ISS
2 October 2009 4:30 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz spacecraft is on track and making its final approach toward the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft is currently flying on auto-pilot, with everything performing nominally. Soyuz commander Maxim Suraev is on hand to take over manual control when needed.

"The crew is doing well," Suraev radioed down to Mission Control. "No issues with the system."

The spacecraft, which is carrying a Canadian space tourist and two professional spaceflyers, is slated to dock at 4:37 a.m. EDT (0837 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft In Sight of Space Station
2 October 2009 4:15 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft is within sight of the International Space Station and heading ever closer, with docking between the two craft scheduled for 4:37 a.m. EDT (0837 GMT).

The Soyuz has made a series of impulse burns to steer itself on course toward the orbiting laboratory.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Approaching Space Station
2 October 2009 4:00 a.m. EDT

Canadian acrobat space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Maxim Suraev, a Russian cosmonaut, are headed toward the International Space Station, which is slated to dock with their Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft at 4:37 a.m. EDT (0837 GMT).

The Soyuz has begun making some final impulse burns to steer on a course toward the station.

The trio launched into space Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Rocket Successfully Reaches Orbit
30 September 2009 3:35 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz rocket carrying the Soyuz TMA-16 crew has successfully reached orbit after launching on time at 3:14 a.m. EDT (0714 GMT) from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The spacecraft is carrying Canadian acrobat space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Maxim Suraev, a Russian cosmonaut. The latter are set to begin six-month stays on the International Space Station, while Laliberte will visit for about 10 days.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Soyuz spacecraft?s mission to the space station 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.

Soyuz Rocket Jettisons Boosters
30 September 2009 3:25 a.m. EDT

The Soyuz rocket carrying the Soyuz TMA-16 crew has jettisoned its four strap-on boosters and ignited its second stage as it heads to orbit. The rocket launched on time from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan at 3:14 a.m. EDT (0714 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

Liftoff! New Crew Launches Toward Space Station
30 September 2009 3:14 a.m. EDT

Acrobat space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Maxim Suraev, a Russian cosmonaut, launched on a Soyuz spacecraft toward the International Space Station at 3:14 a.m. EDT (0714 GMT).

"Everything is nominal onboard the Soyuz," the spaceflyers radioed from their capsule shortly after liftoff. "Guy says he's very happy."

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Crew Suited Up for Launch
30 September 2009 2:45 a.m. EDT

Spaceflyers Guy Laliberte, Jeff Williams and Maxim Suraev are suited up in their Russian launch and entry suits in preparation for their planned liftoff today.

The three are packed aboard the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft, set to launch today from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:14 a.m. EDT (0714 GMT).

"Nary a cloud in the sky. It should be a pristine launch," a NASA commentator said of conditions at Baikonur.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Soyuz mission to the space station 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.

Space Tourist, New Station Crew Gear Up for Liftoff
30 September 2009 2:30 a.m. EDT

Acrobat space tourist Guy Laliberte and professional spaceflyers Jeff Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Maxim Suraev, a Russian cosmonaut, are gearing up for their launch today on a Soyuz spacecraft toward the International Space Station.

The three are slated to liftoff from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:14 a.m. EDT (0714 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz