Russian Soyuz TMA-11 report

Confirms that the equipment module didn't separate when it was supposed to:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/So...tch_99 9.html

Pat

On May 22, 4:35*pm, Pat Flannery wrote:
Confirms that the equipment module didn't separate when it was supposed to:http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/So...Caused_By_Tech...

You know, it's funny... where's Bob Haller crying about how unsafe the
Soyuz is, and to have it shut down before it kills some one, ect, ect.
-Mike

On Sat, 24 May 2008 12:12:16 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

You know, it's funny... where's Bob Haller crying about how unsafe the
Soyuz is, and to have it shut down before it kills some one, ect, ect.

....Perhaps Satan has recalled him? If so, we shouldn't question this
at the risk of waking the troll.

OM
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On May 24, 6:47*pm, OM wrote:
On Sat, 24 May 2008 12:12:16 -0700 (PDT),

wrote:
You know, it's funny... where's Bob Haller crying about how unsafe the
Soyuz is, and to have it shut down before it kills some one, ect, ect.

...Perhaps Satan has recalled him? If so, we shouldn't question this
at the risk of waking the troll.

True enough. But seeing what's been happening to Soyuz lately and
everything... I don't think that people are taking this issue with
Soyuz as seriously as it ought to be. Yes the crew ultimately
survived; yes the Soyuz design is robust enough that the descent
module was able to right itself once the equipment section broke
off... But remember Shuttle got away with flaws or problems for years
and tens of flights before either the Challenger and Columbia
accidents. How many times is this going to be allowed to happen for
Soyuz before someone wakes up and does something? You know, before we
wind up with a true catastrophic loss...
-Mike

wrote:
On May 24, 6:47 pm, OM wrote:

On Sat, 24 May 2008 12:12:16 -0700 (PDT),

wrote:

You know, it's funny... where's Bob Haller crying about how unsafe the
Soyuz is, and to have it shut down before it kills some one, ect, ect.

...Perhaps Satan has recalled him? If so, we shouldn't question this
at the risk of waking the troll.


True enough. But seeing what's been happening to Soyuz lately and
everything... I don't think that people are taking this issue with
Soyuz as seriously as it ought to be. Yes the crew ultimately
survived; yes the Soyuz design is robust enough that the descent
module was able to right itself once the equipment section broke
off... But remember Shuttle got away with flaws or problems for years
and tens of flights before either the Challenger and Columbia
accidents. How many times is this going to be allowed to happen for
Soyuz before someone wakes up and does something? You know, before we
wind up with a true catastrophic loss...


The thing I'd worry about on Soyuz is that in the process of breaking
off, the service module will damage the heatshield. Any damage that
breaks up its aerodynamic shape will result in increased heating and
ablation as it descends, and could result in a burn-through of the
heatshield. The last thing you want to have happen is superheated air
come in contact with the solid-fueled landing motors that are housed
under the heatshield - if they ignite, they will blow the heatshield
clean off.
All in all, this would be a really good time to do a crew transfer via
the Shuttle rather than the TMA-12, and just get rid of it.
As to whether Russian pride (and space budget) will allow that is a very
open question. TMA-13 (wouldn't it have been something if that had been
the one suspected of having the faulty explosive bolts?) is supposed to
be a upgraded version of the design, so maybe it will have an improved
separation system.

Pat