Soyuz TMA-M
Revision of the Soyuz spacecraft
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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 modernizations (the '-M' in the name) over its predecessor, the Soyuz TMA, primarily to the main flight computer and avionics. It flew a total of 20 missions from 2010 to 2016, all carrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). It was replaced by the Soyuz MS, which introduced further modernized systems.
| |
| Manufacturer | Energia |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Russia |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
| Applications | ISS crew transport |
| Specifications | |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Design life | Up to six months docked to ISS |
| Production | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launched | 20 |
| Maiden launch | 7 October 2010 (Soyuz TMA-01M) |
| Last launch | 18 March 2016 (Soyuz TMA-20M) |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derived from | Soyuz TMA |
| Derivatives | Soyuz MS |
| Flown with | Progress M-M (cargo version) |
| Launch vehicle | Soyuz FG |
Design
The primary difference between the Soyuz TMA-M and the earlier Soyuz TMA was the removal of several pieces of outdated equipment, many of which were no longer in production.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,[1] and its analogue avionics. They were replaced with a new digital computer, the TsVM-101 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
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
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]