Soyuz TM-9
| Mission Statistics
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| Mission Name: | Soyuz TM-9
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| Call Sign: | Родни́к (Rodnik - Spring)
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| Number of Crew Members: | 2
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| Launch: | February 11, 1990
06:16:00 UTC
Baikonur LC1
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| Landing: | August 9, 1990
07:33:57 UTC
70 km NE of Arkalyk - 50.85 N; 67.28 E
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| Duration: | 179 days 01 hours 17 minutes 57 seconds
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| Number of Orbits: | ~2,895
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Crew
Mission parameters
- Mass: 7150 kg
- Perigee: 373 km
- Apogee: 387 km
- Inclination: 51.6°
- Period: 92.2 minutes
Mission highlights
9th expedition to Mir.
During docking, cosmonauts aboard Mir noticed that three of the eight thermal
blankets (layers of foil vacuum-shield insulation) on the descent module of the
approaching Soyuz-TM 9 spacecraft had come loose from their attachments
near the heat shield, yet remained attached at their top ends. The main concern
was that the capsule might cool down, permitting condensation to form inside
and short out its electrical systems. There was also fear that the blankets might block the infrared vertical sensor, which oriented the module for reentry.
Three other areas of concern emerged: that the explosive bolts binding the
service module to the descent module might fail to work after direct exposure
to space, that the heat shield might be compromised by direct space exposure,
and that an EVA to repair the blankets might cause additional damage. Consideration was given to flying Soyuz-TM 10 with one cosmonaut aboard as a
rescue mission. During an EVA, the cosmonauts folded back two of the three
blankets and left the third alone. During reentry, the cosmonauts ejected both
the orbital module and the service module simultaneously in an effort to
minimize the chances that a blanket could snag. Normally the orbital module
went first. The descent module suffered no damage as a result of its prolonged
exposure to space conditions. Reentry occurred as normal.
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