US-Russian crew arrive at the International Space Station

Key Concepts

• Soyuz MS-28: A spacecraft that docked with the International Space Station (ISS).
• Soyuz MS-27: A spacecraft that is scheduled to undock from the ISS.
• International Space Station (ISS): A modular space station in low Earth orbit.
• Multi-purpose Laboratory Module (MLM): A module on the ISS.
• Multi-port Node Module (Persal Node Module): A module on the ISS where MS-27 is currently located.
• Roscosmos: The Russian state corporation responsible for space flights.
• NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States.
• Rendezvous: The process of bringing two spacecraft together in orbit.
• Docking: The physical connection of two spacecraft.
• Fly-around: A maneuver where one spacecraft circles another to align for docking.
• Midcourse Correction Burns: Small engine firings to adjust a spacecraft's trajectory.
• Automated Rendezvous System (CORS): The system that controls the automated docking process.
• Station Keeping: Maintaining a stable position relative to another object.
• Contact and Capture: The initial physical connection and securing of the docking.
• Hard Mate: A secure, sealed connection between two spacecraft.
• Hooks and Latches: Mechanical components used to secure the docking.
• Leak Checks: Procedures to ensure the integrity of the seal after docking.
• Hatch Opening: The process of opening the passage between docked spacecraft.
• Baikonur Cosmodrome: A space launch facility in Kazakhstan.
• Expedition 73/74: The current and upcoming crew rotations on the ISS.

Soyuz MS-28 Docking with the ISS

This transcript details the final approach and docking of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz MS-28 is carrying a new crew to the ISS, while the Soyuz MS-27, currently attached to the Multi-port Node Module (Persal Node Module) on the Earth-facing side, is preparing for its departure.

Pre-Docking Maneuvers and Alignment

• Location of MS-27: The Soyuz MS-27 is attached to the Multi-purpose Laboratory Module (MLM) on the Earth-facing side, specifically within the Multi-port Node Module (Persal Node Module). This module is the current residence of the MS-27 and will serve as the return vehicle for cosmonauts Sergey Riakov, Johnny Kim, and Alexis Zubritzky, scheduled for undocking and landing on December 8th.
• Time to Docking: Approximately 26.5 minutes from the start of the transcript.
• Fly-around Initiation: The fly-around maneuver was scheduled to begin about 6 minutes from the start.
• Retrograde Burn: A retrograde burn was confirmed, indicating a deceleration maneuver.
• Distance and Rate: The Soyuz was less than 1,000 meters from the station, closing at a rate of 2.7 meters per second. These values were visible on the external crosshair camera view from the Soyuz.
• Impulse 6: The Soyuz completed "Impulse 6," another midcourse correction burn, while passing over the northeastern coast of Brazil. The spacecraft was in an orbit inclined 51.6 degrees to the equator.
• Fly-around Distance: The fly-around was to commence at a distance of approximately 400 meters between the Soyuz and the ISS, aligning the Soyuz with the Roscosmos module on the Earth-facing side.

The Fly-around and Station Keeping

• Fly-around Commencement: Confirmation was received that the Soyuz had begun its 50-degree fly-around of the ISS, expected to last about 5.5 minutes.
• Alignment Target: The objective was to align the Soyuz with the Roscosmos module.
• Distance and Rate during Fly-around: The distance decreased to 360 meters, with a closing rate of approximately 0.9 meters per second.
• Station Keeping: Following the fly-around, a brief period of station keeping was planned to allow Russian mission control in Korolyov to verify the alignment of the forward docking probe on the MS-28 spacecraft before initiating the final approach.
• Crew Instructions: Sergey was instructed to expand display 44 and monitor parameters.
• Automated Rendezvous System (CORS): The CORS was reported to be holding steady, with good performance from the ISS's comparable system.
• Range and Rate during Final Approach Preparation: The range was 26 meters, with a range rate of 2 meters per second. Set one and scanning were confirmed. Acquisition was confirmed.

Final Approach and Docking

• Final Approach Initiation: Final approach was confirmed, and the spacecraft entered the approach corridor.
• Periscope Lights: Periscope lights were to be activated.
• S7 Command: Preparation for the S7 command was underway.
• Go for Final Approach: Once the headlight was on, the crew received the "go" for the final approach command.
• Station Keeping Resumed: The Russian flight controllers confirmed the fly-around was complete and station keeping had begun.
• Slow Ballet: The final phase of approach was described as a "slow ballet," with the Soyuz closing in at a rate of about 1/10th of a meter per second at the time of docking.
• Visual Confirmation: The Soyuz was seen crossing the Western Sahara.
• Distance and Rate Decreases: The range decreased to 100 meters, then to less than 47 meters, with closure rates varying from 0.5 meters per second down to 0.3 meters per second.
• Monitoring: Crew members were instructed to monitor SS bucket and internal transfer system parameters.
• Docking System Activation: At a distance of 40 meters, the Soyuz docking system was activated.
• Antenna Retraction: The antenna was retracted at a range of 25 meters.
• Target Alignment: The target was in the center of the periscope, with crosshairs aligned.
• Final Closure Rate: The closure rate was expected to be 1/10th of a meter per second.
• Contact and Capture: Contact and capture were confirmed.
• Docking Confirmation: Docking was confirmed at 6:34 a.m. Central Time / 7:34 a.m. Eastern Time, while the spacecraft were over Slovenia.
• Mechanical Capture: Mechanical capture was confirmed.
• Expedition 73 Crew: The Expedition 73 crew now has three new members.
• Flawless Rendezvous: The rendezvous and docking were described as flawless.

Post-Docking Procedures and Crew Information

• O2 Tank Pressure: O2 tank pressures were reported: tank one at 102, tank two at 248.
• ISS Configuration: An R7 command was sent to position the two Soyuz vehicles side-by-side on the Earth-facing ports of the Russian segment. The newly arrived MS-28 was in the middle of the screen, with MS-27 in the upper left.
• Crew Reading Technical Data: The Soyuz crew was reading off technical data to the Russian flight control team.
• Relative Motion Dampening: Waiting for relative motion between the Soyuz and the station to dampen before retracting the forward docking probe.
• Electrical Connection: Confirmation was sought on whether the electrical connection was made.
• Forward Docking Probe Retraction: The forward docking probe retracted.
• Hook Closure: Hooks were driving to form a hard mate.
• Hook Confirmation: Confirmation was received that 17 hooks were closed and 15 latches were extended.
• MS-27 Departure: The Soyuz MS-27, carrying Johnny Kim, Alexi Zuber Britzky, and Sergey Riakov, is scheduled to depart on December 8th for a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan.
• Expedition Transition: The departure of MS-27 will mark the formal end of Expedition 73 and the beginning of Expedition 74.
• MS-28 Crew: The newly arrived crew consists of Chris Williams (NASA), Sergey Kudvkov, and Sergey McKay (Roscosmos). They will spend eight months on the ISS.
• Launch Details: The Soyuz MS-28 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:27 a.m. Central Time / 4:27 a.m. Eastern Time.
• Flight Duration: The flight from launchpad to ISS took 3 hours and 7 minutes.
• Leak Checks: Following the hard mate, leak checks will be performed on both sides of the docking interface.
• Hatch Opening: The hatch opening is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:50 a.m. Central Time.
• Welcome Remarks: Welcoming remarks by the newly arrived Soyuz crew members will follow the hatch opening.

Conclusion

The transcript meticulously documents the successful automated rendezvous and docking of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft with the International Space Station. The process involved precise maneuvers, including midcourse correction burns, a detailed fly-around, and a slow, controlled final approach. The docking was confirmed as a "hard mate" with all hooks and latches secured, paving the way for leak checks and the eventual opening of the hatch to welcome the new crew members. The event also highlights the upcoming departure of the Soyuz MS-27, marking a crew rotation and the transition between ISS expeditions.