Launch News Soyuz TMA-03M on December 21 2011

[SiberianTiger]

and lift-off, main stage of trust!

 

[SiberianTiger]

1/2 stage sep, fairing sep

 

[SiberianTiger]

They are saying, "we have a feeling that the rocket is swaying a bit"

 

[SiberianTiger]

Stage 2/3 sep

Kononenko: "Rolling stopped, separation is clean"

 

[SiberianTiger]

There's Soyuz separation.

 

[N_Molson]

Soyuz TMA-03M in orbit. Well done Russia ! :thumbup:

 

[Codz]

Another succesful launch! Congratulations Russia.:thumbup:

 

[SiberianTiger]

Popovkin's intrusion in the end with a short congratulatory statement for the crew is much better than used-to-be Perminov's constant bugging them with "oo-kay, and how bad is the g-load now?" :lol:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Another success for Russia! Welcome to orbit Oleg, Don & Andre.

 

[orb]

Calendar event for docking --- Request a reminder for it.




ESA: ESA astronaut André Kuipers on his way to the International Space Station

NASA: RELEASE : 11-425 - Trio Heads For Holiday Reunion With Space Station Residents

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: New Crew Blazes Way Toward Space Station

SPACE.com: Russian Rocket Launches Astronauts on Holiday Space Station Trip

CBS News Space: Soyuz TMA-03M rockets into orbit, bound for space station

Aviation Week: Soyuz Mission Lifts Off Successfully For the International Space Station

Discovery News: New Crew Blasts Off For Space Station

RIA Novosti: New crew on course for space station

Parabolic Arc: Crew Launches to Space Station

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Calendar event for docking --- Request a reminder for it.




ESA: ESA astronaut André Kuipers on his way to the International Space Station

NASA: RELEASE : 11-425 - Trio Heads For Holiday Reunion With Space Station Residents

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: New Crew Blazes Way Toward Space Station

SPACE.com: Russian Rocket Launches Astronauts on Holiday Space Station Trip

CBS News Space: Soyuz TMA-03M rockets into orbit, bound for space station

Aviation Week: Soyuz Mission Lifts Off Successfully For the International Space Station

Soyuz TMA-03M Launch - YouTube

And here is the Russian version:

Can any Russian members here help translating the call outs? :tiphat:

 

[SiberianTiger]

Can any Russian members here help translating the call outs? :tiphat:

Did a sort of this before:
http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=10418

 

[SiberianTiger]

By the way, it was -17°C in Baikonur during the launch, felt like -25°C.

 

[Scruce]

Expedition 30 Trio Launches to ISS (NASAtelevision):

Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers began five months in space with the successful launch of their Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. The three are joining Expedition 30 station Commander Dan Burbank of NASA and Russian Flight Engineers Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin, who've been on the outpost for just over a month.

_________________________________

Soyuz-FG carrying Soyuz TMA-03M Exp. 30/31 NASA coverage (nextlaunch):

nasa.gov coverage of Soyuz-FG carrying Soyuz TMA-03M (Exp. 30/31)

 

[Pipcard]

I like how they combined the silhouette of the Soyuz spacecraft with the word "Soyuz", as well as combining that with TMA-03M.

 

[orb]

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: Soyuz Closes In On Station For Holiday Docking


SPACE.com: New Space Station Crew Set for Holiday Arrival Friday


Spaceflight Now:

• Crew dons spacesuits for Soyuz launch (PHOTO GALLERY)
  
  
• Soyuz crew arrives at launch pad (PHOTO GALLERY)
  
  
• Gantry arms retracted for launch (PHOTO GALLERY)
  
  
• Soyuz rocket blasts off with 3-man crew (PHOTO GALLERY)

 

[diogom]

RSC Energia - Soyuz TMA-03M launched to the International Space Station! O. Kononenko (Roscosmos), astronauts D. Pettit (NASA) and A. Kuipers (ESA) are in orbit

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now:

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying three new residents for the International Space Station continues on course in its pursuit of the orbiting complex for docking Friday at 10:22 a.m. EST (1522 GMT).
The automated rendezvous sequence aboard the Russian-built crew transport capsule will begin about 8:02 a.m. EST to control the activities via autopilot.

The day's first key engine firing is planned for 8:24 a.m. and another impulse is expected around 8:44 a.m. EST, followed within minutes by activation of the Kurs rendezvous equipment on both the Soyuz and space station to guide the linkup. Another burn comes up at 9:11 a.m.

The two spacecraft should be within 60 miles of each other by 9:07 a.m., closing to less than 10 miles by 9:34 a.m.

The television camera on the nose of Soyuz will be turned on at 9:40 a.m. to provide views of the docking.

A series of maneuvers between 9:50 and 9:58 a.m. will dramatically slow the Soyuz's closure rate, ultimately leading to the spacecraft beginning a flyaround of the space station at 10 a.m. to align with the Rassvet module's docking port.

After a stationkeeping hold by the Soyuz to ensure all is in readiness for docking, the spacecraft will commence final approach at 10:12 a.m. for docking about 10 minutes later. Soyuz commander Oleg Kononenko will be standing by to take over manual flying of the spacecraft if required.

The linkup should occur at 10:22 a.m. EST, a few minutes after orbital sunset.

The hatch opening and welcoming ceremony aboard the station is expected around 1 p.m. EST.

Watch this page for live updates and streaming video starting at 9:45 a.m. EST (1445 GMT).

 

[SiberianTiger]

Graphical representation of the approach and docking sequence.

 

[orb]

Graphical representation of the approach and docking sequence.

I have a question. Why is docking at 18:22:41 Московское декретное on the scheme? Shouldn't it be 19:22:41, or are they using standard time again instead of daylight saving time now?