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| Soyuz MS-02 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Soyuz MS-02 |
| Mission type | Crewed mission to International Space Station |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
| Spacecraft | Soyuz-MS 11F747 |
| Manufacturer | RKK Energia |
| Launch date | 2016-10-19 |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5 |
| Landing date | 2017-04-10 |
| Crew callsign | Not provided |
| Orbit | Low Earth orbit |
| Programme | Soyuz program |
Soyuz MS-02 was a 2016–2017 crewed spaceflight mission conducted by Roscosmos to deliver a three-person Expedition crew to the International Space Station. The flight used a modernized Soyuz-MS spacecraft built by RKK Energia and launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket. The mission supported long-duration operations on the ISS and involved docking, extravehicular activities, science operations, and an automated return to Kazakhstan.
The mission formed part of the ongoing International Space Station crew rotation under agreements between Roscosmos, NASA, European Space Agency, JAXA, and CSA. Objectives included transporting crew members to join Expedition 49 and Expedition 50, conducting microgravity experiments for institutions such as RSC Energia partners, and validating upgrades introduced in the Soyuz-MS series alongside continuing station resupply and maintenance tasks associated with Progress spacecraft operations. Secondary goals encompassed testing navigation and communications systems developed with contributions from TsNIIMash, Lavochkin Association, and avionics teams that support rendezvous profiles like those used in Apollo–Soyuz Test Project heritage procedures.
The spacecraft configuration represented the 11F747-MS lineage with avionics, propulsion, and life-support enhancements engineered by RKK Energia and subcontractors including S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation. The crew consisted of three members: Yury Malenchenko, representing Roscosmos and a veteran of Mir and STS–era cooperative flights; Timothy Kopra of NASA with prior STS-127 and Expedition 47/48 experience; and Tim Peake was not aboard this flight — instead the international complement included Sergey Ryzhikov? (See official crew assignment lists published by Roscosmos and NASA for precise names). Crew training took place at facilities such as the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, with simulations at Star City, centrifuge runs, and neutral buoyancy training at Hydro Lab analogues similar to those used by European Astronaut Centre and Canadian Space Agency programs.
Launch operations involved coordination between Roskosmos Mission Control Center and the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch complex. The vehicle stack integrated a Soyuz-FG booster, third-stage separation events, and Soyuz-MS orbital insertion maneuvers that followed established profiles seen in earlier flights like Soyuz TMA-19M and Soyuz TMA-20M. Tracking and telemetry support came from networks including ESOC-linked facilities, Glonass ground stations, and international tracking like Svalbard Satellite Station assets. The ascent timeline featured first-, second-, and third-stage separations with fairing jettison and orbital insertion parameters verified against mission constraints comparable to those from STS era launch commit criteria.
Rendezvous and docking to the International Space Station utilized the automated Kurs system augmented by Soyuz-MS navigation upgrades and oversight from both Mission Control Center in Korolyov and NASA Johnson Space Center. Docking occurred at one of the station's ports alongside modules such as Zvezda and Poisk, enabling transfer of crew and cargo. On-orbit tasks included conducting experiments from multinational partners like ESA, JAXA, and CSA spanning biology, materials science, and Earth observation similar to investigations on Columbus and Kibo. The crew performed maintenance on station systems, interfaced with visiting vehicles including Progress MS and commercial craft such as Dragon or Cygnus when scheduled, and participated in public outreach events coordinated with NASA Public Affairs and Roscosmos Media.
The return utilized Soyuz's deorbit burn, reentry, and parachute-assisted descent procedures refined since early Soyuz flights like Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5. Recovery forces comprised Russian Airborne Troops-trained search-and-rescue teams and assets similar to those deployed during Soyuz TMA-1 recoveries. Landing occurred on the steppes of Kazakhstan with medical checks performed by teams from Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and NASA Flight Medicine personnel. Post-landing activities included crew recovery, debriefings at Star City, and analysis of vehicle performance by RKK Energia and Roscosmos engineers.
The mission insignia followed the tradition of personalized emblems worn by Soyuz crews and approved by Roscosmos and international partners. Design elements echoed motifs from earlier patches such as those for Expedition 49 and Expedition 50, incorporating symbols of flight heritage found in emblems for Vostok, Voskhod, and other Soviet-era missions. The patch was used in official documentation, crew clothing, and outreach materials distributed through Roscosmos Press Office, NASA, and partner agency channels.
Category:Soyuz missions Category:2016 in spaceflight Category:Spacecraft launched in 2016