Docking Soyuz TMA-05M

the spacecraft shortly before docking iss on 17 july 2012.

as part of phasing maneuvers catch iss, 3.5 , 4.5 hours mission, soyuz spacecraft performed 2 large skd main propulsion system burns changing vehicle s speed 41.5 m/s , 23.9 m/s, respectively. these burns followed minor maneuver on july 16 velocity change of 2 m/s. on time automated docking sequence began @ 2:31 gmt on july 17, 2012.

the crew activated kurs navigation system provides accurate range , velocity data spacecraft s on-board computers. station crew of padalka, revin , acaba got changing sleep cycles support rendezvous , docking operations of soyuz. although rendezvous , docking sequence automated, cosmonaut malenchenko , russian mission controllers in korolev, moscow monitored systems well. soyuz tma-05m approached iss, spacecraft completed series of trajectory correction maneuvers. @ range of 8 kilometers space station, soyuz activated tv system needed automated operation monitoring. @ distance of 300 meters space station, russian flight controllers issued go flyaround align soyuz tma-05m docking port on rassvet module.

with flyaround completed, short period of stationkeeping initiated @ range of 190 meters. opportunity gave flight controllers chance check soyuz systems , alignment docking port. crew given go , final approach commenced @ 4:40 gmt.

soyuz tma-05m completed successful docking @ 4:51 gmt while space station flying high above north-east kazakhstan: 1 minute earlier planned. shortly after, docking probe retracted , hooks started closing establish hard mate. hard mate followed standard one-hour leak check operations. after leak checks completed, crew opened hatches , floated iss. arrival of malenchenko, williams , hoshide on board soyuz tma-05m restored space station s crew full strength @ six.