A metal capsule stands before you. This is the Sojus TMA-13M. Prepare to delve into the story of this spacecraft. Sojus TMA-13M embarked on a vital mission. It carried crew members to the International Space Station in 2014.
This particular Sojus spacecraft, designated TMA-13M, holds significance. It is the 122nd flight of a Soyuz spacecraft since 1967. It also marks the 39th Soyuz mission to the ISS. The Sojus TMA-13M served as an emergency escape vehicle. It remained docked at the space station. This was during Expedition 41 until its departure in November 2014.
The crew of Sojus TMA-13M consisted of three members. Maksim Surayev commanded the mission. Gregory R. Wiseman served as Flight Engineer 1. Alexander Gerst was Flight Engineer 2. The backup crew included Anton Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti, and Terry W. Virts.
The journey of Sojus TMA-13M began at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Sojus FG rocket rolled out on May 26, 2014. This rollout occurred under sunny skies. Backup crew members attended the event. The prime crew was absent. This absence was due to a superstition about bad luck. The 49.5 meter tall rocket was erected. It was then enclosed by a service structure for protection.
The launch of Sojus TMA-13M occurred on May 28, 2014. The launch time was 19:57 UTC. Approximately nine minutes after launch, TMA-13M achieved orbit. It then began a four-orbit rendezvous with the ISS. Sojus TMA-13M docked with the Rassvet module of the ISS. Docking occurred at 1:44 UTC on May 29. The hatches opened two hours later.
During their time on the ISS, the crew conducted experiments. They also oversaw visits by cargo spacecraft. These included U.S. commercial capsules, Russian Progress supply craft, and the ESA’s ATV-5. Alexander Gerst, the first German in space in six years, brought a fragment from the Cologne Cathedral and a German flag.
On November 10, 2014, Sojus TMA-13M undocked from the ISS at 00:31 UTC. The spacecraft successfully landed in Kazakhstan at 03:58 UTC. The mission lasted 165 days, 8 hours, and 1 minute.
Maksim Suraev and Alexander Samokutyaev performed a spacewalk. They removed the Radiometriya experiment. They also photographed the Expose-R experiment. They collected samples for the TEST experiment. They removed rendezvous antennas.
The landing of Sojus TMA-13M involved extensive recovery operations. Approximately 300 members of the search and rescue team were deployed. They used helicopters and all-terrain vehicles. The spacecraft carried a family of flies. These were part of an experiment on weightlessness.
Today, the Sojus TMA-13M stands as a symbol. It represents international collaboration. It also represents the ongoing human quest for space exploration. It’s a silent testament to the dedication of the crew. It also represents the ground teams who made this mission a success. Now, preserved, Sojus TMA-13M allows us to reflect. We can reflect on the remarkable achievements in space travel.