Remember Tim Peake? He is the British astronaut who will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on December 15. The Russian Soyuz launch system is currently the only way for crew members to get to the ISS.
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It was the craft that carried the first crew to the International Space Station in 2000, and has been the only craft ferrying humans to the orbiting outpost since the retirement of the US space shuttle in 2011.
The current version, known as the Soyuz-TMA, can transport up to three cosmonauts (which is the Russian term for astronauts), and a limited amount of cargo to and from the ISS. At least one Soyuz is docked to the space station at all times to be used as a lifeboat in an emergency.
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At one end of the spacecraft is the spherical orbital module. It’s about the size of a large van and provides extra living space for the crew during flight. It can be used to store supplies and other cargo, such as experiments, and there’s also a toilet. The orbital module contains the mechanism used to dock with the space station and the hatch that allows crew members to enter the ISS.
The space craft’s mid-section is known as the descent module, and is where crew members sit during launch and the journey back to Earth. It contains the spacecraft’s controls and displays, including a periscope that allows the crew to see the docking target on the ISS.
The seats have custom-fitted liners, individually moulded to each person’s body. This is designed to help cushion the crew members when they land on Earth after a mission.
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The third module is known as the instrument module. It contains the thrusters, oxygen and propellant tanks, communications equipment and the on-board computer.
Were you intrigued? There is even more in subsequent series – like the rocket that will propel the craft, how it will dock at the ISS, undock, re-enter the earth’s entry and land. So keep your curious mind running, and your fingers crossed!
Don’t want to wait? Head over to BBC Science for seconds!!
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