Soyuz TMA-M

The Soyuz TMA-M is the latest version in the series of Russian Soyuz Spacecraft that are currently used to Transport Crew to and from the International Space Station.

The Soyuz Program dates back to 1966 when the first unmanned flight was performed. The first manned flight was in 1967, but the Cosmonaut on board, Vladimir Komarov, died during the Descent Phase of the mission because the capsule’s parachutes did not open.

Afterwards, more unmanned flights were made before crews were once again allowed to fly the vehicle. The only other fatal Soyuz Flight was Soyuz 11 that suffered a premature cabin depressurization because of a faulty seal – also killing the entire crew of three.

Soyuz Spacecraft have been used for crew transport to and from the Salyut and Mir Space Stations. Now, Soyuz vehicles are dedicated to ISS Crew Transport. Soyuz is manufactured by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, also known as RKK Energia. It is operated by the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos.

The new Generation of TMA-M Spacecraft first flew in 2010 and features various improvements over the previously used TMA Version. Soyuz TMA-M Spacecraft are launched aboard the Soyuz FG Launch Vehicle from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

Type Soyuz TMA-M Manufacturer RKK Energia Length 7.48m Diameter 2.72m Launch Mass 7,150kg Span 10.6m Modules 3 Habitable Volume 8.5m³

The Soyuz Spacecraft consists of three Modules, the Instrumentation Module, Entry Module and Orbital Module. In total, the spacecraft has a launch mass of 7150 Kilograms and it is 7.48 meters in length with a maximum diameter of 2.72 meters. A fully deployed Soyuz Spacecraft in orbit has a span of 10.6 meters.

The three modules are equipped with separation mechanisms as only the entry Module is outfitted with an ablative heat shield to survive re-entry. The three modules separate after the deorbit burn just before the vehicle hits the atmosphere. While the Entry Module safely enters the atmosphere, the other two modules burn up during entry. The Soyuz Spacecraft is certified to stay in orbit for 6 months docked to the Space Station.

Orbital Module

Length 2.98m Diameter 2.26m Launch Mass 1,300kg Habitable Volume 5m³ Attitude Control 4 DPO Thrusters Rendezvous KURS

The Orbital Module is located on top of the two other sections of Soyuz. It is 2.98 meters long and 2.26 meters in diameter. It has a total mass of 1,300 Kilograms and offers a habitable volume of 5m³. During Ascent, the Orbital module is sealed from the Entry Module by closing and latching the inner hatch. Once in Orbit, the crew opens the hatch and can use the BO, as the Orbital Module is also known, as habitable module. It is used to carry cargo and equipment to space and houses equipment required to allow the crew to live in space.

BO contains a toilet and communication equipment. On the top side of the section is the docking assembly of the Spacecraft that features navigation antenna systems and the actual docking port with docking probe and associated lights and sensors. The Docking Interface features the KURS hardware that is used for the automatic rendezvous procedure. Also, the docking interface includes electrical and communications systems connectors for power transfer from ISS and communication relay.

A side hatch on the module allows crews to enter the capsule at the launch pad and during pre-flight operations. The Life Support System can support the crew for 30 person days providing Oxygen Generation and Carbon Dioxide Scrubbing Capabilities. Also, the atmosphere aboard the Soyuz can be topped up with Nitrogen from storage tanks to keep the capsule pressurized.

Entry Module

Length 2.24m Diameter 2.17m Launch Mass 2,950kg Habitable Volume 3.5m³ Thermal Protection Ablative Heat Shield Attitude Control 24 Thrusters Propellant Hyydrogen Peroxide Landing Parachutes Pilot Chute 4.5m² Drogue Chute 16m² Main Chute 518m² Landing Engines 6 Landing Speed 2-4m/s Cargo Downmass 100kg Flight Computer KSO 20M

The Entry Module is located between the two other sections and is 2.24 meters long and 2.17 meters in diameter. it has a total mass of 2,950 Kilograms and offers 3.5m³ of habitable volume. The Entry module houses vehicle control systems and crew seats. The crew is isolated in the Entry Module for launch and landing. Three custom made Kazbek Seat Liners are installed inside the Module that are specially made for each individual crew member. A shock absorbing system is installed on the crew’s seats to dampen the impact the Soyuz experiences during landing. The KS0 20M computer aboard the entry module is the primary flight computer after module separation taking the descent section of the vehicle through the re-entry and landing portion of the flight. It is also the prime computer for Launch and Ascent Aborts. The Entry Module has an attitude control system consisting of 24 Hydrogen Peroxide Thrusters for making maneuvers in orbit and during entry. Also, it is outfitted with the spacecraft’s fully redundant parachute system consisting of a pilot chute that is deployed first after computers issue the parachute opening command during entry. The Pilot chute is followed by a Drogue Chute (16m²) and the Main Chute (518m²) to slow the vehicle down to a safe landing speed. In the final moments before landing, the Entry Module separates from its heat shield that is used to protect the vehicle during the re-entry process. This exposes the six Solid-Fueled Soft Landing Engines that are fired just a split second before landing to slow the vehicle down to its final landing speed. A fast-opening parachute system is also installed on the module to support Launch Aborts.

100 Kilograms of cargo can be loaded into the entry Module for transport back to Earth. The Entry Module of the Soyuz can also be used as an Airlock when the hatch to the Orbital Module is closed. Spacewalkers would exit and ingress through the side hatch.