ISS-65 crews passed manual controlled descent exam

On the basis of the TsF-18 centrifuge, there is a specialized TS-18 manual descent simulator, which makes it possible to train cosmonauts to control the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft under the influence of a real overload that the crew experiences during landing of the descent vehicle on the ground. During the exam, astronauts demonstrate an algorithm of actions that must be performed if an automatic failure occurs during the descent of the vehicle or a recommendation is made to switch to a manual controlled descent.

The crew commander and the flight engineer take turns taking the exam. They have one ticket for two, but it contains four tasks for each. There are two modes – statics and dynamics. The cosmonaut performs the first two tasks while in a stationary centrifuge, the next two, when the centrifuge is in motion. In any mode, the main task is to land the vehicle with minimal overload and as close as possible to the design point.

The first to pass this exam were the commander of the ISS-65 prime crew, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and Roscosmos cosmonaut, flight engineer Pyotr Dubrov, and the next day – their backup cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Oleg Artemiev. Most of the exam training during the session is aimed at ensuring that astronauts demonstrate the skills of coping with emergency situations.

“The manual controlled descent in relation to the automatic one is rather a reserve one, and has not yet been used in practice. But we are obliged to prepare cosmonauts for this type of spacecraft control in order to comprehensively ensure their safety,” the instructor of the ISS-65 backup crew explained. complex training on the ship Igor Karyukin.

Anton Shkaplerov passed this exam eight times, reaching the finish line as part of the main and backup crews. Experience does not eliminate the need to show your skills again, but it simplifies the task.

“I trained a lot, so I won’t call the exam difficult, the main thing is to follow the methodology. Two modes – static, two modes – dynamics. The centrifuge rotation speed and overload indicators change,” said Anton Shkaplerov, commander of the ISS-65 backup crew. The Soviet and Russian cosmonauts have not really had a controlled descent yet. But the probability of using it exists, so training continues. With ballistic descent, the overloads are several times greater, therefore, if the situation allows, if the automation fails, it is better to switch to manual controlled descent. ” / div>

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

/Media reports.