# Soyuz TMA-18

> flight carrying astronauts to the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q857018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q857018)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-18)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-18

## Summary
Soyuz TMA-18 was a Russian human spaceflight mission that transported astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 23. Launched on April 2, 2010, it carried a crew of three, including commander Aleksandr Skvortsov and flight engineers Mikhail Korniyenko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 2, 2010, from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Gagarin's Start).
- **Landing Date**: September 25, 2010, in Kazakhstan (coordinates: 50.02325°N, 66.966444444444°E).
- **Crew**: Aleksandr Skvortsov (commander), Mikhail Korniyenko (Flight Engineer 1), Tracy Caldwell Dyson (Flight Engineer 2).
- **Mission**: Part of Expedition 23 to the International Space Station (ISS).
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA class, launched via Soyuz-FG rocket.
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.65 degrees.
- **Preceded by**: Soyuz TMA-17.
- **Followed by**: Soyuz TMA-19.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-18?
A: Soyuz TMA-18 was a crewed mission to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 23, supporting scientific research and station maintenance.

### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-18?
A: The crew consisted of Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Skvortsov (commander) and Mikhail Korniyenko (Flight Engineer 1), along with NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson (Flight Engineer 2).

### Q: When did Soyuz TMA-18 launch and land?
A: The mission launched on April 2, 2010, and landed on September 25, 2010, after a six-month stay in space.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was used for Soyuz TMA-18?
A: It was a Soyuz-TMA spacecraft, a revised version of the Soyuz series, launched using a Soyuz-FG rocket.

### Q: Where did Soyuz TMA-18 land?
A: The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan at coordinates 50.02325°N, 66.966444444444°E.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TMA-18 played a critical role in maintaining human presence on the International Space Station (ISS) during Expedition 23. As part of the long-running Soyuz program, it demonstrated Russia's continued capability in human spaceflight, ensuring crew rotation and resupply missions to the ISS. The mission contributed to international collaboration in space exploration, supporting scientific experiments and station operations. Its successful launch and landing also reinforced the reliability of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft, a cornerstone of Russia's space program.

## Notable For
- **Crew Diversity**: Included both Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut, highlighting international cooperation.
- **Expedition 23**: Part of a key ISS mission supporting long-duration spaceflight research.
- **Precise Landing**: Successfully returned to Earth in Kazakhstan after six months in orbit.
- **Soyuz-TMA Class**: Represented an advanced revision of the Soyuz spacecraft, known for its safety and reliability.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TMA-18 was a human spaceflight mission operated by Roscosmos, launching on April 2, 2010, from Baikonur Cosmodrome's Gagarin's Start. The mission transported three crew members to the ISS for Expedition 23.

### Crew Details
- **Aleksandr Skvortsov**: Served as spacecraft commander and part of Expedition 23.
- **Mikhail Korniyenko**: Flight Engineer 1, also part of Expedition 23.
- **Tracy Caldwell Dyson**: NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer 2, contributing to ISS operations.

### Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA, a modernized version of the Soyuz series.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG rocket, a reliable workhorse for Russian space missions.

### Mission Timeline
- **Launch**: April 2, 2010.
- **Docking with ISS**: Shortly after launch, joining Expedition 23.
- **Landing**: September 25, 2010, in Kazakhstan.

### Technical Specifications
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.65 degrees.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2010-011A.
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.

### Legacy
Soyuz TMA-18 was part of a long line of Soyuz missions, reinforcing the spacecraft's role in ISS operations and international space collaboration.

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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-18.htm)