# Soyuz TMA-16

> 2009 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

**Wikidata**: [Q846318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q846318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-16)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-16

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Soyuz TMA-16**:

---

## Summary  
Soyuz TMA-16 was a 2009 Russian crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). It transported three crew members, including a private astronaut, and was part of the long-running Soyuz programme. The mission launched on September 30, 2009, and landed on March 18, 2010.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** September 30, 2009, from Baikonur Cosmodrome's "Gagarin's Start"  
- **Landing Date:** March 18, 2010, in Kazakhstan (coordinates: 50.7809°N, 67.4648°E)  
- **Crew:** Maksim Surayev (commander), Jeffrey Williams (Flight Engineer 1), and Guy Laliberté (private astronaut)  
- **Spacecraft:** Soyuz-TMA, launched aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket  
- **Mission Duration:** Approximately 5.5 months  
- **Orbital Parameters:** Low Earth orbit with an inclination of 51.64° and orbital period of 91.44 minutes  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2009-053A  
- **Preceded by:** Soyuz TMA-15  
- **Succeeded by:** Soyuz TMA-17  

## FAQs  
### Q: Who was on board Soyuz TMA-16?  
A: The crew consisted of Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev (commander), NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams (Flight Engineer 1), and Canadian private astronaut Guy Laliberté.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-16?  
A: It transported crew members to the ISS as part of Expedition 21 and returned them safely to Earth, while also carrying Guy Laliberté as a space tourist.  

### Q: How long did Soyuz TMA-16 stay in space?  
A: The mission lasted approximately 5.5 months, from launch on September 30, 2009, to landing on March 18, 2010.  

## Why It Matters  
Soyuz TMA-16 was significant as part of Russia's Soyuz programme, which has been a cornerstone of human spaceflight since the 1960s. This mission delivered crew members to the ISS, ensuring the station's continuous habitation and operation. Notably, it included Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil, as a private astronaut, highlighting the growing role of commercial spaceflight. The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft and Soyuz-FG launch vehicle, which remain critical for ISS logistics.  

## Notable For  
- Transporting Guy Laliberté, one of the earliest private astronauts to visit the ISS.  
- Supporting Expedition 21 aboard the ISS.  
- Utilizing the proven Soyuz-TMA spacecraft and Soyuz-FG launch vehicle.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched: September 30, 2009, from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.  
- Landed: March 18, 2010, in Kazakhstan near Arkalyk.  

### Crew Roles  
- **Maksim Surayev:** Spacecraft commander and Expedition 21 crew member.  
- **Jeffrey Williams:** Flight Engineer 1 and Expedition 21 crew member.  
- **Guy Laliberté:** Private astronaut (space tourist) during launch; returned aboard Soyuz TMA-14.  

### Technical Details  
- **Spacecraft:** Soyuz-TMA, a revision of the Soyuz series designed for ISS missions.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-FG, a reliable rocket used for crewed missions.  
- **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit with an inclination of 51.64° and an orbital period of 91.44 minutes.  

### Landing  
- Location: Kazakhstan (coordinates: 50.7809°N, 67.4648°E).  
- Duration: 169 days in space.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Soyuz TMA-16",
  "description": "2009 Russian crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q175064",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-16"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
}
```

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tma-16.htm)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013