Spectacular Soyuz Rollout Images
Written by Nancy Atkinson
Russian security officers walk along the railroad tracks as the Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 21 and a spaceflight participant on Sept. 30, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA photographer Bill Ingalls is in Russia at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, capturing the rollout of the Soyuz TMA-16 rocket today, scheduled to launch on Sept. 30 to the International Space Station. Of course the Soyuz rollout and launch is a whole different experience from the shuttle rollout, and these pictures tell the story. Additionally, this launch has a bit more "festive" feel to it: spaceflight participant Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil, is part of the crew. Also on board, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev, and NASA Flight Engineer Jeff Williams are scheduled to launch at 2:14 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Above, a Russian security officers walk along the railroad tracks as the Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad.
The Soyuz rocket is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket being hoisted to its launch position shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday.
Laliberte is paying some $35 million for a seat on the Soyuz and 12 days aboard the ISS. He's likely to be the last paying private citizen to the station for the next few years. Because of the retirement of the space shuttle, the Soyuz will be the only way to get astronauts and cosmonauts to and from the ISS.
Launch scaffolding is raised into place around the Soyuz rocket. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The sun rises behind the Soyuz launch pad shortly before the Soyuz rocket is rolled out. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Padalka, Barratt and Laliberte will return to Earth on Saturday, Oct. 10, in the Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft currently docked to the station. Padalka and Barratt have been on the ISS since March 2009.
To see more images from the Soyuz rollout, check out NASA's Flickr page.
Filed under: Space Shuttle, Space Tourism
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September 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Such a pity that Russia has to make do on a shoestring budget. The Soyuz is so pretty. I wish there'd been a chance to continue development.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:22 am
3rd image down – goodness that looks impressive
September 28th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
It's amazing that this rocket was developed over 40 years ago and is still flying with (almost) no flaws. What was flying in the US 40 years ago?
September 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Sili, apropos continuing development:
"Soyuz-TMA (2003–…. )
Main article: Soyuz-TMA
Soyuz TMA (A: ??????????????????, Antropometricheskii meaning anthropometric) features several changes to accommodate requirements requested by NASA in order to service the International Space Station, including more latitude in the height and weight of the crew and improved parachute systems. It is also the first expendable vehicle to feature "glass cockpit" technology. Soyuz-TMA looks identical to a Soyuz-TM spacecraft on the outside, but interior differences allow it to accommodate taller occupants with new adjustable crew couches.
[...]
The unmanned Progress spacecraft were derived from Soyuz and are used for servicing space stations.
While not being the direct derivatives of the Soyuz, the Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft and the Indian Orbital Vehicle follow the general template as pioneered by the Soyuz." [Wikipedia]
In fact, the Shenzhou looks like a rather good evolution of the basic design.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:20 am
As from 2010 a yet again upgraded Soyuz will start commercial flights from EU's arianespace center in french guiana. I guess this will keep them running for quite a number of years to come.
See: http://www.arianespace.com/spaceport-soyuz/entry.asp