# Soyuz TMA-21

> 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS

**Wikidata**: [Q257079](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257079)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-21)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-21

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Soyuz TMA-21**:

---

## Summary  
Soyuz TMA-21 was a 2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). Launched on April 4, 2011, it transported three crew members—two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut—as part of Expedition 27. The mission concluded with a landing in Kazakhstan on September 16, 2011.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: April 4, 2011, from Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome).  
- **Landing Date**: September 16, 2011, near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (coordinates: 47.3199°N, 69.5019°E).  
- **Crew**: Aleksandr Samokutyayev (commander), Andrey Borisenko (Flight Engineer 1), and Ronald J. Garan (Flight Engineer 2).  
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA, launched aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket.  
- **Orbital Parameters**: Apoapsis 254.69 km, periapsis 201.2 km, inclination 51.64°, orbital period 88.76 minutes.  
- **Mission Duration**: Approximately 5.5 months.  
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.  
- **Preceded by**: Soyuz TMA-20.  
- **Followed by**: Soyuz TMA-02M.  

## FAQs  
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-21?  
A: The crew consisted of Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Samokutyayev (commander) and Andrey Borisenko (Flight Engineer 1), along with NASA astronaut Ronald J. Garan (Flight Engineer 2).  

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-21?  
A: It transported crew and supplies to the ISS as part of Expedition 27, supporting long-duration missions aboard the station.  

### Q: Where did Soyuz TMA-21 land?  
A: It landed in Kazakhstan on September 16, 2011, near Zhezkazgan (coordinates: 47.3199°N, 69.5019°E).  

## Why It Matters  
Soyuz TMA-21 was a critical mission in maintaining crew rotations for the ISS, ensuring continuous human presence in space. Launched on the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic first human spaceflight, it carried symbolic significance for Russia's space program. The mission demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft and the Soyuz-FG launch vehicle, which remain key components of ISS logistics. Additionally, it highlighted international collaboration, with a mixed Russian-American crew working together on scientific and operational tasks aboard the ISS.  

## Notable For  
- Launched on the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first human spaceflight (April 12, 1961).  
- Part of the long-standing Soyuz program, a cornerstone of human spaceflight since the 1960s.  
- Contributed to the continuous occupation of the ISS, supporting scientific research in microgravity.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- **Launch**: April 4, 2011, from Gagarin's Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome.  
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA (serial number 231), a revision of the Soyuz design for ISS missions.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG, a reliable workhorse for crewed launches.  

### Crew Roles  
- **Aleksandr Samokutyayev**: Commander (Roscosmos).  
- **Andrey Borisenko**: Flight Engineer 1 (Roscosmos).  
- **Ronald J. Garan**: Flight Engineer 2 (NASA).  

### Orbital Details  
- **Apoapsis**: 254.69 km.  
- **Periapsis**: 201.2 km.  
- **Inclination**: 51.64° (standard for ISS missions).  
- **Orbital Period**: 88.76 minutes.  

### Landing  
- **Date**: September 16, 2011.  
- **Location**: Kazakhstan (47.3199°N, 69.5019°E).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Soyuz TMA-21",
  "description": "2011 Russian crewed spaceflight to the ISS.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126458",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-21"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Space Mission"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tma-21.htm)