Soyuz TMA-M

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The primary difference between the Soyuz TMA-M and the earlier Soyuz TMA was the removal of several pieces of outdated equipment, many of which were no longer in production.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 kg main digital computer, called , and its analogue avionics. They were replaced with a new digital computer, the and digital avionics.

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, for easier manufacture. In combination, the changes reduced the vehicle's total mass by 70 kg. Additionally, power consumption was reduced throughout the ship, improving its overall efficiency.

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.

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.

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).

Replacement

Further development of the Soyuz capsule design led to the introduction of the Soyuz MS in 2016, which replaced the Soyuz TMA-M.

References

References

1. (2010). "Argon-16 Computer. Argon Family of Computers.". Russian Virtual Computer Museum.
2. (2010). "Soyuz TMA-M manned transport vehicle of a new series". RKK Energia Corporation.
3. "Soyuz TMA-M variant".
4. (2010-10-07). "Three men launched into space for half-year voyage". SpaceflightNow.
5. (2010). "Soyuz TMA-M manned transport vehicle of a new series – Flight tests". RKK Energia.