main page newsspace newssoyuz has docked to russia's new module of the iss at the first time.

Soyuz has docked to Russia's new module of the ISS at the first time.. / January 22, 2010 /

The Soyuz TMA-16 was first performed redocking from module «Zvezda» to the new Russia’s International Space Station module «Poisk» at first time. The operation has took 25 minutes and controlled manually, RIA Novosti reported.

The Union received a command to undock from the ISS at 13:00 Moscow time. The ship broke away from the station in three minutes. More «Union» made a short flight to a distance of 30 meters from the ISS, has stabilized its position, circled the station and approached the docking module «Search». The docking was carried out on command from Earth.

The motions of the spacecraft astronaut drove Maxim Tire, known for his blog, which he leads from the orbit. Besides him on board the «Union» was astronaut Jeffrey Williams. After retraction of the ship and the station and check tightness of connections to open the passageway between the «Union» and the new module of the ISS. It is expected that this will happen in 16:30-16:50 Moscow time.

The decision to hold redocking not be automatic, and manual mode at MCC explained the desire to save fuel. In carrying out maneuvers in an automatic mode, the Soyuz would be alienated from the station a hundred meters.

Place docking Soyuz TMA-16 has been changed to ensure that the inhabitants of the ISS to carry out correction of the orbit station. This event will require an engine on the module «Zvezda», and the spacecraft would have prevented its implementation. Correction will be implemented in two phases — 22 and 24 January. Maneuver is necessary to create optimal conditions for future docking station with cargo and manned spacecraft.

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