Soyuz TMA-21 Crew

Overview

The Soyuz TMA-21 was a Russian spacecraft that carried a crew to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew of Soyuz TMA-21 consisted of three astronauts: Dmitry Kondratyev, Paolo Nespoli, and Catherine Coleman.

Dmitry Kondratyev

Dmitry Kondratyev is a Russian cosmonaut who served as the commander of the Soyuz TMA-21 mission. He was responsible for the overall operation of the spacecraft and ensuring the safety of the crew during the journey to the ISS.

For more information on Dmitry Kondratyev, visit his profile.

Paolo Nespoli

Paolo Nespoli is an Italian astronaut who was a flight engineer on the Soyuz TMA-21 mission. He assisted in various tasks on the spacecraft and conducted scientific experiments during his time on the ISS.

To learn more about Paolo Nespoli, click here.

Catherine Coleman

Catherine Coleman, an American astronaut, also served as a flight engineer on the Soyuz TMA-21 mission. She played a crucial role in the success of the mission and contributed to the scientific research conducted on the ISS.

For additional details on Catherine Coleman, check out her profile.

Mission Details

The Soyuz TMA-21 mission launched on April 5, 2011, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft docked with the ISS two days later, on April 7, 2011.

During their time on the ISS, the crew conducted various experiments in fields such as biology, physics, and astronomy. They also performed maintenance tasks to ensure the smooth operation of the space station.

The crew returned to Earth on September 16, 2011, after spending a total of 164 days in space. The Soyuz TMA-21 mission was considered a success, with valuable data and research collected during the mission.

Conclusion

The Soyuz TMA-21 crew, consisting of Dmitry Kondratyev, Paolo Nespoli, and Catherine Coleman, made significant contributions to scientific research and space exploration during their mission to the International Space Station. Their dedication and expertise exemplify the spirit of cooperation and discovery in the field of astronautics.

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