Soyuz TMA-17 atop Soyuz-FG on December 20/21, 2009

[Orbinaut Pete]

This docking will be the last ever time that a Soyuz will dock at the nadir port of Zarya.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Lined up for docking. Entering "clear to dock" command.

---------- Post added at 01:41 ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 ----------

This docking will be the last ever time that a Soyuz will dock at the nadir port of Zarya.

I belive docking to MRM2 can be much more spectacular with Earth in background.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I belive docking to MRM2 can be much more spectacular with Earth in background.

Very true!

 

[SiberianTiger]

There is capture!

---------- Post added at 01:54 ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 ----------

Welcome to the orbiting home, Pulsars! The expedition XXII is getting a number boost!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Soyuz/ISS hatch opening is expected at 12:29 AM GMT on Wed 23 - 1 hour, 30 mins from now.

NASA TV coverage will start at 12:00 AM GMT Wed 23.

 

[orb]

Soyuz/ISS hatch opening is expected at 12:29 AM GMT

00:35 UTC, from what I've heard on NASA TV.

---------- Post added at 01:32 ---------- Previous post was at 00:04 ----------

Hatches opened at 00:30 UTC. (edit: only initially, and closed soon after that)

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Because MCC-Moscow weren't concentrating on the video, the crew had to re-ingress the Soyuz & open the hatches for a third time, just so that MCC-M could watch! Absolutely ridiculous.

Also, Oleg Kotov delivered a Christmas tree to the ISS!
And Tim Creamer entered the ISS wearing a Santa hat & elf shoes!! :lol:

Anyway, welcome aboard, TMA-17 crew! :hello:

 

[orb]

Official opening occurred at 00:42 UTC (at last).

 

[SiberianTiger]

Because MCC-Moscow weren't concentrating on the video, the crew had to re-ingress the Soyuz & open the hatches for a third time, just so that MCC-M could watch! Absolutely ridiculous.

Easy to explain: MCC-M wasn't getting a video at 0:30 because the ISS was still out of range of Russian tracking and downlink. So they asked the crew for a little favour... And perhaps I know why: Boris Chertok was attending the docking in the main control room this time, in the dead of night. He does not do that every time lately, but the people from MCC say he was looking good.

upd: I was wrong in my assumption. He only attended the docking itself briefly, not the hatch opening. But the "blooper" hatch opening was still done for sake of reporters and VIPs. There is an info that Americans did likewise during the last change of command ceremony, also because of problematic downlink.

---------- Post added at 15:28 ---------- Previous post was at 14:54 ----------

A funny pic of Soichi Noguchi

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Some hi-res photos of the TMA-17 docking, hatch opening & welcome ceremony can be found on pages 23 & 24 of the Expedition 22 photo gallery (link below).

www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-22/ndxpage23.html

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Soyuz TMA-17/21S relocation from FGB Nadir to SM Aft will occur tomorrow (12th May) from 9:23 AM EDT to 10:05 AM EDT/1:23 PM GMT to 2:05 PM GMT.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Soyuz TMA-17/21S relocation from FGB Nadir to SM Aft will occur tomorrow (12th May) from 9:23 AM EDT to 10:05 AM EDT/1:23 PM GMT to 2:05 PM GMT.

Live coverage will be available at:

• TSUP-M stream: mms://193.233.61.171/live (since 17:16 MSK / 1:16 p.m. UTC / 9:16 a.m. EDT)
• On NASA TV: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html (since 17:00 MSK / 1:00 p.m. UTC / 9:00 a.m. EDT)

The spaceship will be crewed by Oleg Kotov, Soichi Noguchi and Tim Creamer.
The relocation will free the FGB Nadir for installation of MRM-1 Rassvet module to be delivered by STS-132.

The TMA-17 is to spend 28 minutes in a free flight before redocking.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I suppose it’s worth mentioning that this is the last ever time a Soyuz will be docked at FGB Nadir.

---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------

Relocation now getting underway on NASA TV.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Standing by for physical separation.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

And we have physical separation!

---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 PM ----------

Soyuz now rolling to correct orientation.

---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------

Flyover is now underway.

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ----------

Docking probe is now extended.

 

[SiberianTiger]

In a view like this, volume is sensible!

---------- Post added at 17:41 ---------- Previous post was at 17:38 ----------

Lined up with the aft Zvezda port.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Flyover completed, Soyuz now rolling to correct orientation for docking.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Going into dark.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Final approach for docking has been initiated.

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:47 PM ----------

We have contact & capture! Soyuz TMA-17 is now docked to SM Aft!

 

[SiberianTiger]

There's a mechanical contact and capture.