Soyuz TMA-18 (ISS 22S), Launched April 2, 2010

[MeteorWayne]

The undocking has been delayed at least 2 orbits due to a malfunction of the undocking mechanism. Apparently, they can't undock, and are troubleshooting. This would be the final landing orbit of the day and would be ~ 11:30 PM EDT.

They have not cancelled the undocking/deorbit, but haven't figured out what the problem is yet.

Live coverage on NASA TV now...

Edit:

From what I'm hearing, the problem is with the unlatching mechanism on the Poisk module (MRM2). They give the command, the process starts (they can hear it) and then it stops without being completed.

 

[MeteorWayne]

SDC Story

spaceflightnow Mission Status Center

 

[MeteorWayne]

They are now opening the hatch on the Poisk side to examine the docking interface. Apparently they also had a problem with the leak check earlier; possibly a microswitch not activating properly. Could be related?

 

[MeteorWayne]

They have just cancelled the undocking for today. They hope to reschedule tomorrow or the day after.

 

[EarthlingX]

Thanks for the update and links MW

ISS-24-2010-09-24-04h23m UTC time, my clock was off for about 15 min, captured on NASA TV public channel :

A bit earlier, 03:58 UTC on ISS live camera :

 

[wolverine84]

I hope things get fixed for today. Also that raises the question, what if a similar thing happens during emergency evac ?

 

[EarthlingX]

They were in the Orlan spacesuits, they have more suits onboard, not to mention another Soyuz. They probably have an emergency procedure which is more brutal than regular undocking, which might include separating modules, but i don't know. There is also another Soyuz getting ready to launch.

More details about undocking :

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com : Soyuz TMA-18 undocking cancelled due to MRM-2 latch issue

September 23rd, 2010

by Chris Bergin

Marking the nearing of the end for Expedition 24, cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson were preparing to return home on their Soyuz TMA-18. However, undocking has been delayed at least 24 hours, following a problem related to the latch and hooks between the Soyuz and the MRM-2 (Mini Research Module-2) module.

...


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYdwPzX4SPE[/youtube]

collectspace | September 23, 2010

The Expedition 24 crew members bid farewell to one another and close the hatches between the International Space Station and the Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft.

Video credit: NASA TV

From Russia Today, with a couple of words about emergency :
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFfZIrNILIw[/youtube]

Kowch737 | September 23, 2010

 

[EarthlingX]

www.federalspace.ru : Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov Makes a Statement

:: 24.09.2010

Statement for mass media
by Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov

“Departure and landing operations of the Soyuz TMA-18 crew vehicle scheduled for this morning are postponed for tomorrow due to technical reasons.
Preliminary analysis shows that the onboard computer system acquires false Soyuz/ISS interface leak signal. On the other hand, leak check operations confirm pressurized status of the interface. The departure could have taken place during the 3rd orbit today, however the State Board decided to postpone Soyuz departure and landing for tomorrow in order for the experts to find out about the reason for the glitch and to support the dynamical operations properly.
MCC, Rosaeronavigation personnel begin operations in order to support descent and landing on Sept. 25 in a back-up spot.
The Soyuz crew – Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson – were ordered by the ground control to return back to the station. Health status of the crew is fine”.

Roscosmos PAO

MCC-M, Korolev

 

[wolverine84]

If things don't work out in time, could they use the second soyuz?. Keeping the primary soyuz for evac. ops only?

 

[Zipi]

If things don't work out in time, could they use the second soyuz?. Keeping the primary soyuz for evac. ops only?

They probably cannot switch spacecrafts... There is limited number of days which is certified to Soyuz spacecraft to be in space. Also a ship which is stuck with the docking mechanism is not very good escape/evacuation ship.

I believe they can fix this issue since it seems to be a open circuit problem. If that would have been a real hardware issue it could have been a more serious problem, but this probably isn't. I also believe the ship could be freed in any case from the docking port by depressurizing Poisk module and doing internal spacewalk. Soyuz spacecraft re-entry module can be sealed or even separated from Soyuz docking compartment while it is still docked.

Some early Soyuz flights did leave their docking compartment docked while propulsion and re-entry module separated (not with ISS program). However since Soyuz docking compartment cannot be made airtight after re-entry module separates and it don't have extra docking mechanisms it has to be discarded manually before new Soyuz can dock.

 

[wolverine84]

Thanks for the info.

 

[EarthlingX]

Here's what was going on, and a hint how serious was the trouble :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1cT47u75w[/youtube]

NASAtelevision | September 23, 2010

The undocking from the International Space Station of the Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft that will return Expedition 24 crew members Alexander Skvortsov, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Mikhail Kornienko to Earth was waived off shortly after midnight EDT on Friday, Sept. 24. Managers and engineers are assessing an apparent problem with the Poisk module docking mechanism. Another attempt is scheduled for later today.

Earlier, an initial attempt by Flight Engineer Fyodor Yurchikhin to close the Poisk hatch met with resistance and microswitches did not indicate it was closed. Eventually, the hatch was closed and leak checks were conducted. Later, as the first undocking attempt approached, the Poisk hooks and latches failed to open. During troubleshooting of that issue, Yurchikhin opened the Poisk side of the docking mechanism and reported finding a loose piece of a gear mechanism with two teeth broken off.

Expedition 24 crew members Alexander Skvortsov, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Mikhail Kornienko rejoin their crewmates inside the station while analysis of the issue continues.

 

[wolverine84]

Was following live yesterday, and fell asleep just before they waived off the undocking. I'm CET time

Here's what was going on, and a hint how serious was the trouble :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1cT47u75w[/youtube]

NASAtelevision | September 23, 2010

The undocking from the International Space Station of the Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft that will return Expedition 24 crew members Alexander Skvortsov, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Mikhail Kornienko to Earth was waived off shortly after midnight EDT on Friday, Sept. 24. Managers and engineers are assessing an apparent problem with the Poisk module docking mechanism. Another attempt is scheduled for later today.

Earlier, an initial attempt by Flight Engineer Fyodor Yurchikhin to close the Poisk hatch met with resistance and microswitches did not indicate it was closed. Eventually, the hatch was closed and leak checks were conducted. Later, as the first undocking attempt approached, the Poisk hooks and latches failed to open. During troubleshooting of that issue, Yurchikhin opened the Poisk side of the docking mechanism and reported finding a loose piece of a gear mechanism with two teeth broken off.

Expedition 24 crew members Alexander Skvortsov, Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Mikhail Kornienko rejoin their crewmates inside the station while analysis of the issue continues.

 

[EarthlingX]

Just in :
http://twitter.com/NASA :

Station crew made repairs to a docking mechanism that delayed Soyuz undocking and landing. Stage is set for 10:02p ET undock, 1:22a landing.

 

[wolverine84]

Just in :
http://twitter.com/NASA :

Station crew made repairs to a docking mechanism that delayed Soyuz undocking and landing. Stage is set for 10:02p ET undock, 1:22a landing.

4am my time...great

 

[EarthlingX]

Don't worry, it will be on the YouTube, various media, and here

Here's a couple of photos from Baikonur festivities in preparation for the landing :

http://www.flickr.com : 20100923 Zhezkazgan

Zhezkazgan Space Ceremony (201009230001HQ) by nasa hq photo, on Flickr
Images from a ceremony in which NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson, and Russian Cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Gennady Padalka were recognized for their achievements in space flight on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 in Jhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Whitson, Korzun and Padalka were in Jhezkazgan in preparation for the Expedition 24 Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft landing.

...

Zhezkazgan Space Ceremony (201009230009HQ) by nasa hq photo, on Flickr

Russian Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, left, NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson, center, and Russian Cosmonaut Valery Korzun are seen in traditional Kazakh dress during a ceremony where they were recognized for their achievements in space flight ..

..

Zhezkazgan Space Ceremony (201009230004HQ) by nasa hq photo, on Flickr

Distinguished guests look on during a ceremony ..

...

 

[EarthlingX]

www.spaceflightnow.com : Electrical bypass appears to resolve docking system anomaly

BY WILLIAM HARWOOD

Posted: September 24, 2010

Installation of electrical jumpers that mimic an expected-but-absent "hatch locked" signal in the docking mechanism of the space station's Poisk module appears to have resolved a glitch that prevented three crew members from undocking and landing early Friday, officials said.

With a temporary fix in place, outgoing Expedition 24 commander Alexander Skvortsov, flight engineer Mikhail Kornienko and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson should be clear for another attempt to depart the space station Friday evening.

..

 

[wolverine84]

Awesome pics!

 

[EarthlingX]

Undocking coverage starts on NASA TV.

Direct link to
Public Channel
ISS Live stream
Media channel

I have problems with sound, this solves it :
Mission audio only

 

[MeteorWayne]

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with deliberatly bypassing safety mechanisms. I hope it's only temporary, and then they fix the root cause.

 

[EarthlingX]

Yes, it is a bit disturbing.

ISS configuration and current position.

Hatch closed at 22:35 UTC.

 

[EarthlingX]

Leak checks on the way, and everything by the book.

Landing site and crew.

 

[EarthlingX]

SDC : Space Station Astronauts Set for 2nd Landing Attempt

By Denise Chow
SPACE.com Staff Writer
posted: 24 September 2010
05:09 pm ET

This story was updated at 4 p.m. ET.



A trio of astronauts on the International Space Station are gearing up for their second attempt to return to Earth after an unprecedented glitch prevented their Soyuz spacecraft from undocking from the outpost yesterday (Sept. 23).

...

This NASA diagram shows the location of Russia's new Mini-Research Module 2, called Poisk, on the top of the space station, as well as a new partner room Mini-Research Module 1. Poisk launched Nov. 10, 2009. Credit: NASA

...


Live coverage ended, will resume in 2h.

 

[EarthlingX]

3 min from undocking.

 

[EarthlingX]

Soyuz undocking.