Soyuz spacecraft and crewed missions
Soyuz is a Russian spacecraft series that has been in service since the 1960s, having made more than 140 flights. Designed by what is now the Energia bureau, it carries up to three crew members to space. The spacecraft consists of three sections: the orbital module for living space, the descent module where cosmonauts sit during launch and reentry, and the service module that handles propulsion and power. After the Space Shuttle retired in 2011, Soyuz became the sole means of transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station, a crucial role it continues today. The design has proven both safe and cost-effective throughout its decades of operation.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org: “Soyuz (Russian: Союз, IPA: [sɐˈjus], lit. 'Union') is a series of spacecraft which has been in service since the 1960s, having made more than 140 flights.”
- en.wikipedia.org: “Between the Space Shuttle's 2011 retirement and the SpaceX Crew Dragon's 2020 debut, Soyuz was the sole means of crewed transportation to and from the International Space Station, a role it continues to fulfill.”
- en.wikipedia.org: “The Soyuz is a single-use spacecraft composed of three main sections. The descent module is where cosmonauts are seated for launch and reentry. The orbital module provides additional living space and storage during orbit but is jettisoned before reentry. The service module, responsible for propulsion and power, is also discarded prior to reentry.”
- en.wikipedia.org: “Soyuz can carry up to three crew members and provide life support for about 30 person-days.”
- en.wikipedia.org: “Despite these early tragedies, Soyuz has earned a reputation as one of the safest and most cost-effective human spaceflight vehicles, a legacy built upon its unparalleled operational history.”