Returning astronauts to the ISS is not able to get out of the descent capsule – TASS

MOSCOW, King / Moscow region /, 2 March. / TASS /. Members 11-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Scott Kelly were not able to get out of the descent capsule of the spacecraft “Soyuz TMA-18M”, as previously thought. This was reported by TASS in the Mission Control Center

“Specialists search engine evacuation services help astronauts out of the descent capsule” -.. Said in the MCC

Earlier, the state corporation “Roscosmos” reported that Kelly and Kornienko after returning to Earth alone get out of the landing vehicle, simulating the landing on Mars.

The commander of the spacecraft “Soyuz TMA-18M” Sergei Volkov, the first evacuated from the capsule. After it learned Kelly was the last Kornienko

The lander touched down at 7:29 MSK 17 km from a given point -. 147 km from the town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. Before it arrived to the place of landing helicopters and search-and-rescue vehicles Rosaviation

The astronauts will take a medical examination, and after the necessary procedures will be delivered in Dzhezkazgan, and then -. Moscow. American astronaut, in turn, will fly to the United States.

“Welcome home!”

The joint 11-month space flight of Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Scott Kelly is very important for relations between Russia and the United States, especially in the period of the existing differences between the two countries, said US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft.

“at that time, both in relations between the US and Russia have disagreements, I am proud that the Americans and the Russians continue to work side by side on such an important task,” – he said he Tass return the crew to the ISS.

“Welcome home!” – He added, referring to the astronauts

“I am very pleased that the astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergei Volkov returned safely to Earth Kelly and Kornienko were on board the International Space Station for almost a year they participated… research, opening up new prospects for the development of advanced technologies in the development of outer space “, – he said

Tefft admitted that the entire year watching the messages participants 11-month expedition to the ISS, their photographs of the Earth and video greeting for. . the occasion

“The team spirit, dedication and perseverance allowed the researchers to successfully complete their mission,” – said the ambassador

Weather

The weather conditions in. Kazakh steppes, where today landed landing capsule of the spacecraft “Soyuz TMA-18M”, were ideal for the evacuation of astronauts, said TASS chief of search and rescue team and Airborne service 14 army Air Force and Air defense of the Central military District (CVO) Gregory Melekhov.

“Landing” Union “took place normally. The weather conditions were ideal and allow rescuers to work. All the forces and means are still at the point of landing of the descent capsule manned spacecraft. The astronauts have learned from it and pass initial medical examination “, – said Melekhov

Kkazahstanskie authorities are preparing for the astronauts meeting in Zhezkazgan airport, TASS reported the press service of the akimat of Karaganda region
..” Meeting with astronauts is scheduled at 12:30 local time (9:30 MSK) “-. said in the administration of

spaceflight

Kornienko and Kelly went to the space mission March 27, 2015 on orbit. they launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) on board the spaceship “Soyuz TMA-16M”. at the time of departure of the astronauts stayed at the station for a total of 340 days.

The third crew member Volkov worked on the ISS 182 days.

For the US, this is the first experience of long-term space mission. at the same time, Soviet and Russian cosmonauts have worked in orbit for a year. in 1999, Sergey Avdeev made a flight duration of 379 days, and in 1995, Valery Polyakov was in orbit 437 days and installed in such a way the world record of the longest spaceflight.