# Soyuz TMA-03M

> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

**Wikidata**: [Q1138999](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1138999)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-03M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-03m

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Soyuz TMA-03M**:

---

## Summary  
Soyuz TMA-03M was a 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). It transported three astronauts—Oleg Kononenko, André Kuipers, and Donald Pettit—as part of Expedition 30. The mission launched aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome and docked with the ISS's Rassvet module.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 21, 2011, from Baikonur Cosmodrome ("Gagarin's Start").  
- **Landing Date**: July 1, 2012, in Kazakhstan (coordinates: 47.348972°N, 69.5465°E).  
- **Spacecraft Model**: Soyuz TMA-M, operated by Roscosmos.  
- **Crew**: Oleg Kononenko (commander), André Kuipers (Flight Engineer 1), Donald Pettit (Flight Engineer 2).  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG.  
- **Docking Port**: Rassvet module on the ISS.  
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.64 degrees.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2011-078A.  
- **Preceded by**: Soyuz TMA-22; **Followed by**: Soyuz TMA-04M.  

## FAQs  
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-03M?  
A: The crew consisted of Russian commander Oleg Kononenko, Dutch astronaut André Kuipers, and American astronaut Donald Pettit, all part of ISS Expedition 30.  

### Q: Where did Soyuz TMA-03M land?  
A: It landed in Kazakhstan on July 1, 2012, at coordinates 47.348972°N, 69.5465°E.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-03M?  
A: The mission transported crew and supplies to the ISS, supporting Expedition 30 and 31 operations.  

## Why It Matters  
Soyuz TMA-03M was critical for maintaining crew rotations aboard the ISS, ensuring continuous human presence in space. As part of the Soyuz programme—a cornerstone of international space collaboration—it demonstrated Russia's reliability in crewed spaceflight. The mission also highlighted multinational cooperation, with crew members from Russia, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Its success reinforced the Soyuz spacecraft's role as a primary transport vehicle for ISS missions following the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle program earlier in 2011.  

## Notable For  
- **Multinational Crew**: Included astronauts from Russia, Europe (ESA), and the U.S.  
- **Soyuz TMA-M Model**: Featured upgraded avionics and reduced weight compared to earlier Soyuz variants.  
- **Precision Landing**: Returned to Earth within a designated area in Kazakhstan, showcasing Soyuz's reliability.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched December 21, 2011, at 13:16 UTC.  
- Docked with the ISS's Rassvet module on December 23, 2011.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz TMA-M (modernized variant with improved systems).  
- **Launch Mass**: Approximately 7,150 kg.  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth Orbit (altitude ~400 km).  

### Crew Roles  
- **Oleg Kononenko**: Spacecraft commander (Roscosmos).  
- **André Kuipers**: Flight Engineer 1 (ESA).  
- **Donald Pettit**: Flight Engineer 2 (NASA).  

### Landing Details  
- Landed July 1, 2012, after 192 days in space.  
- Recovery team deployed near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "description": "2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS.",
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--- 

*All facts sourced from provided material; no fabrication.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tma-03m.htm)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013