Re: Soyuz TMA-11 Comes Home, More or Less...

I just looked at their website, from the above link, and it was
accurate,
Soyuz DM attached to SM, with that combo coming in nose first, then
the SM separates, and the DM reverses it's position, and continues in
bottom first.

So, a good call to you for noticing that fault, and to MSNBC for
fixing
it right.

I'll be hornswaggled! I just went to the link I had posted in my
previous message, and they really DID fix the animation! That's not
the same animation Pat and I saw Tuesday night, and not the same
animation that was at that very link Wednesday morning. They really
did get it right this time. No kidding, all hail the NBC Evening News
for fixing things that fast! Glad to see they're so responsive, and so
interested in accuracy. Hey, maybe ALL of those people on TV really
have been telling me the truth all this time? Never again will I look
at a Ronco info-mercial with quite so much skepticism!

Pat, thanks for the Polyus/Skif link. And you are SO right about the
TMA-12 that's attached to the ISS right now. If I were working as QC
Director onboard the ISS, I'd float out there and hang a "Bonded, Do
Not Use" sign on the return ship right now! Once you find out your
assembly line has created non-conforming product, you're not supposed
to release anything for shipment until you've fixed the root cause and
inspected stock to make sure you're in the clear. But this is the
worst case, THIS PRODUCT HAS ALREADY SHIPPED!!! TO OUTER-FREAKIN'-
SPACE!!! With people essentially FORCED to get in it and ride it
home, no less! And soon, very soon, there will be NO viable
alternative to the Soyuz for a return vehicle (no one really believes
Orion will be finished on time and problem-free, do they?) Eek! What
a revoltin' development this is!

"Hornswaggled?" Hmmm... I think that's Russian for being reentered,
bass-ackwards!
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Soyuz TMA-11 Comes Home, More or Less...
    ... and they really DID fix the animation! ... A couple of years ago, James Oberg was just looking around for a illustration of a Soyuz TMA firing its retro engine for a talk he was giving, and having a hard time finding even that inside of a week. ... Director onboard the ISS, I'd float out there and hang a "Bonded, Do ... it can still perform a useful scientific purpose as a artificial reef in the South Pacific. ...
    (sci.space.history)
  • Re: Soyuz TMA-11 Comes Home, More or Less...
    ... severely (not including Soyuz 1) but never one that apparently came in nose first for most or all of the descent. ... I would guess it's a miracle that the parachute cover wasn't fused closed from the heat. ...
    (sci.space.history)