News

November 24 at 05:48 MSK Soyuz TMA-15M has successfully docked to the International Space Station.

"Soyuz TMA-15M" docked to mini-research module "Rassvet" of the Russian part on ISS.

The Docking was carried out in an automatic mode under the control of the Mission Control Center specialists and crew of the spaceship - commander Anton Shkaplerova, flight engineers Samantha Kristoferetti (ESA) and Terry Verst (NASA). From the ISS docking was controlled by Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serov.

After the opening of the transfer hatches between the spacecraft and the station at 07:30 MSK, the 42/43th  ISS crew will begin it`s job.

According to the flight program, it is scheduled to work with cargo spacecraft "Progress M-25M", "Progress M-26M", "Progress M-27M" cargo ship European ATV-5 «Georges Lemaitre» and Japanese cargo spacecraft HTV-5 «Kounotori»; preparation for return to Earth of three members of the crew of the ISS-41/42 at "Soyuz TMA-14M"; participation in docking "Soyuz TMA-16M" with the ISS to a mini-research module "Search".

In addition, the work plan includes an extensive program of scientific research and experiments in various fields, such as space biotechnology, biomedical research, remote sensing of the Earth and others. In total, during the expedition, cosmonauts will conduct 59 experiments. Also, the flight program includes activities to support health stations and equipping the ISS equipment delivered by cargo ships.

The planned duration of the crew on board the ISS is 169 days.