March 15, 2021
Categories: GCTC, ISS

The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center offers a specialized TS-18 manual control descent simulator based on the TsF-18 centrifuge. The simulator enables cosmonaut training to control the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft under real overload that the crew experiences during the reentry and landing. During the exam, the cosmonauts show an algorithm of actions in case an automatic failure during the descent or a recommendation to switch to a manual control descent.

The crew commander and the flight engineer take the exam in turn. They have only one paper with four tasks for each; there are two modes: static and dynamic. The cosmonaut performs the first two tasks in a stationary centrifuge, and the other two in a rotating centrifuge. The main task in any mode is to land the capsule with minimal overload and as close as possible to the calculated point.

Roscosmos cosmonaut, ISS-65 prime crew commander Oleg Novitsky and Roscosmos cosmonaut, flight engineer Pyotr Dubrov were the first to pass the exam, their backups cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Oleg Artemiev followed the next day. Most of the exam training during the session is to ensure that the cosmonauts can cope with emergencies.

‘Compared to the automatic descent, the manual control one is rather a reserve one, and has not yet been used in reality. But we must prepare cosmonauts for this spacecraft control mode to comprehensively ensure their safety,’ Igor Karyukin, instructor of the ISS-65 backup crew for spacecraft integrated training explained.

As a repeated prime and backup crewmember, commander of the ISS-65 backup crew Anton Shkaplerov took this exam eight times.

‘I have trained a lot, so I don’t think the exam is difficult, you just need to follow the methodology. Two static modes and two dynamic modes. The centrifuge rotation speed and G-load indicators are changing,’ Anton Shkaplerov said. ‘Indeed, the Soviet and Russian cosmonauts have not yet had to go over to manual control descent. But the odds still exist, so training continues. During a ballistic descent, the G-load is several times higher, therefore, if possible, in case automatics fails, it is better to switch to manual control descent.’

Starting on March 19, 2021, the ISS-65 prime and backup crews will begin complex examination trainings, completing the pre-flight session.

More from this category:
October 23, 2020

Soyuz-2 booster with latest Glonass-K navigational satellite was rolled out from the integration and assembly building of Plesetsk launchsite for the launch planned for October…

full story
June 17, 2013

New manned spacecraft mock-up is to be presented at MAKS international aerospace show, – Federal Space Agency Head Vladimir Popovkin reported on Friday, June 14,2013….

full story
July 5, 2019

On July 4, 2019, the main and backup crews of the “Soyuz MS-13” spacecraft arrived at the Baikonur cosmodrome to complete preparations for the upcoming…

full story
December 26, 2014

Proton-M booster with European Astra-2G telecommunication satellite will be launched from Baikonur spaceport on Sunday, – Roscosmos spokesman reported. The launch is scheduled for December…

full story
March 6, 2020

On the 7th of March, 1960 the landmark event in the history of space exploration occurred – exactly on that date the first 12 people…

full story
May 17, 2013

According to the ISS flight program station reboost maneuver was completed on May 17, 2013. As MCC press-service reports, according to ballistics and navigational support…

full story
October 2, 2024

The draft structure of government spending for the next three years, which has just been submitted to the State Duma, contains a clear emphasis on…

full story
September 10, 2014

Preparations works for Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft launch are under way at Baikonur spaceport. On September 10 the specialists started preparing famous # 1 so called…

full story