Launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome; landing
95 km northeast of Arkalyk.
This mission carried out the
ISS
expedition 9. They were
called a "caretaker" crew. Following a two day solo flight the Soyuz docked to
ISS on
21.04.2004.
Padalka and
Fincke replaced the
expedition 8 crew. The
crew performed 21 experiments and four spacewalks.
EVA 1 by
Padalka and
Fincke was aborted an 24.06.2004 after 14 min (planned 6
hours) because of a high rate pressure lost in the primary oxygen bottle of
Fincke's Orlan spacesuit.
Second
EVA by
Padalka and
Fincke on 30.06.2004 (5h 40 min) to install a new circuit
breaker to restore power to one of four gyroscopes that help orient the
complex, two flexible handrails, to mount a contamination monitor to measure
Station thruster exhaust, and to add end caps to two circular handrails on the
airlock.
Third
EVA by
Padalka and
Fincke on 03.08.2004 (4h 30 min) replacing several materials
exposure experiment packages and a thruster contamination monitor, installing
reflectors and communications equipment needed for the docking of a new
European Space Agency cargo ship, which shall dock on the
ISS in 2005.
Fourth and final
EVA by
Padalka and
Fincke on 03.09.2004 (5h 21m) installing three antennas on
the exterior of the Zvezda Service Module that will aid the automated docking
of a new Station supply craft, the European Automated Transfer Vehicle,
replacing of a pump panel on the Zarya module, installation of guides for
spacesuit tethers on Zarya handrails; installation of handrail covers near the
Pirs Docking Compartment hatch.
