# Soyuz TMA-12M

> 2014 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

**Wikidata**: [Q339244](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q339244)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-12M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-12m

## Summary
Soyuz TMA-12M was a 2014 Russian crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) that transported three crew members for Expedition 39. It launched on March 25, 2014, aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket and landed on September 11, 2014, in Kazakhstan. The mission utilized the Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft model and marked a routine rotation of ISS crew.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 25, 2014
- **Landing Date**: September 11, 2014
- **Mission Duration**: 14,619,960 seconds (approximately 169 days)
- **Crew Members**: Aleksandr Skvortsov (Commander), Oleg Artemyev (Flight Engineer 1), Steven Swanson (Flight Engineer 2)
- **Spacecraft Type**: Soyuz TMA-M
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG
- **COSPAR ID**: 2014-013A
- **Preceded By**: Soyuz TMA-11M
- **Followed By**: Soyuz TMA-13M

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-12M?
A: The mission delivered three crew members to the ISS for Expedition 39, ensuring continued operations aboard the station.

### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-12M?
A: The crew included Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Skvortsov (Commander) and Oleg Artemyev (Flight Engineer 1), and NASA astronaut Steven Swanson (Flight Engineer 2).

### Q: Where did Soyuz TMA-12M launch and land?
A: The spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome's Gagarin's Start pad and landed in Kazakhstan on September 11, 2014.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TMA-12M played a critical role in maintaining the continuous human presence on the ISS, a cornerstone of international space cooperation. As part of the Soyuz programme, it demonstrated Russia's reliable crewed spaceflight capabilities during a period of heavy reliance on Soyuz vehicles for ISS access. The mission also highlighted the integration of international crews, with NASA astronaut Steven Swanson flying alongside Russian cosmonauts. Such missions underscore the importance of collaborative space exploration and the enduring role of Soyuz spacecraft in low Earth orbit operations.

## Notable For
- **Spacecraft Model**: Utilized the modernized Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft, featuring upgraded systems for improved safety and comfort.
- **International Crew**: Carried a mixed crew of Russian and American astronauts, reflecting ISS partnership dynamics.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Employed the Soyuz-FG rocket, a workhorse of Russian space launches.
- **Orbital Parameters**: Operated in low Earth orbit with an inclination of 51.65 degrees, standard for ISS missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TMA-12M was part of the Soyuz programme, a series of Russian crewed spaceflights. It followed Soyuz TMA-11M and preceded Soyuz TMA-13M, maintaining the ISS crew rotation schedule.

### Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz TMA-M (serial number 39622), a variant with upgraded digital systems.
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-FG, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome's historic Gagarin's Start pad.

### Crew Details
- **Aleksandr Skvortsov**: Commander, Russian cosmonaut.
- **Oleg Artemyev**: Flight Engineer 1, Russian cosmonaut.
- **Steven Swanson**: Flight Engineer 2, NASA astronaut.

### Key Dates
- **Launch**: March 25, 2014, at 21:27 UTC.
- **Docking**: March 27, 2014 (after a two-day rendezvous).
- **Landing**: September 11, 2014, at 10:58 UTC in Kazakhstan (coordinates: 47.3111° N, 69.5557° E).

### Orbital Parameters
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO).
- **Inclination**: 51.65 degrees, aligned with the ISS trajectory.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tma-12m.htm)
4. BabelNet