# Soyuz TMA-4

> Russian space exploration mission

**Wikidata**: [Q1353793](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1353793)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-4

## Summary
Soyuz TMA-4 was a Russian crewed spaceflight mission launched on April 19, 2004, as part of the Soyuz programme. It transported astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for Expedition 9 and marked the fourth flight of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft series.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 19, 2004, from Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome).
- **Landing Date**: October 24, 2004, in Kazakhstan (coordinates: 50.9833°N, 67.3°E).
- **Crew**: Gennady Padalka (commander), Michael Fincke (Flight Engineer 1), André Kuipers (Flight Engineer 2, ascent), and Yuri Shargin (Flight Engineer 2, descent).
- **Mission Duration**: 16,204,920 seconds (~187 days).
- **Orbital Parameters**: Apoapsis of 252 km, periapsis of 200 km, inclination of 51.64°, and an orbital period of 88.7 minutes.
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA (a revised version of the Soyuz spacecraft).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG rocket.
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2004-013A.
- **Orbits Completed**: 2,950 around Earth.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TMA-4?
A: Soyuz TMA-4 was a crewed mission to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for Expedition 9, supporting long-duration research and operations.

### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-4?
A: The crew included Gennady Padalka (commander), Michael Fincke (Flight Engineer 1), André Kuipers (Flight Engineer 2 during ascent), and Yuri Shargin (Flight Engineer 2 during descent).

### Q: How long did Soyuz TMA-4 stay in space?
A: The mission lasted approximately 187 days, completing 2,950 orbits around Earth before landing on October 24, 2004.

### Q: What spacecraft and rocket were used for Soyuz TMA-4?
A: The mission used the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft, launched aboard a Soyuz-FG rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: Where did Soyuz TMA-4 land?
A: The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan at coordinates 50.9833°N, 67.3°E.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TMA-4 played a critical role in maintaining human presence on the International Space Station (ISS) during Expedition 9. As part of the Soyuz programme, it demonstrated Russia's continued leadership in crewed spaceflight, providing reliable transportation for astronauts and cosmonauts. The mission facilitated scientific research, station maintenance, and international collaboration in space exploration. Its success reinforced the Soyuz-TMA series as a cornerstone of ISS operations, ensuring crew rotation and emergency return capabilities. Additionally, the mission highlighted the importance of international partnerships in space, with crew members from Russia, the U.S., and the Netherlands working together.

## Notable For
- **Expedition 9 Crew Transport**: Delivered the primary crew for ISS Expedition 9, including the first Dutch astronaut (André Kuipers) on a long-duration mission.
- **Soyuz-TMA Series**: Represented the fourth flight of the upgraded Soyuz-TMA spacecraft, featuring improved systems for safety and performance.
- **Long-Duration Mission**: Completed 2,950 orbits over ~187 days, showcasing the endurance of Soyuz spacecraft.
- **International Collaboration**: Crew included astronauts from Russia (Padalka, Shargin), the U.S. (Fincke), and the Netherlands (Kuipers).
- **Precise Landing**: Successfully landed in Kazakhstan, demonstrating the reliability of Soyuz re-entry and landing systems.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TMA-4 was a crewed spaceflight mission under the Soyuz programme, launched by Roscosmos on April 19, 2004. Its primary objective was to transport the Expedition 9 crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and return the previous crew to Earth. The mission was part of the ongoing rotation of ISS crews, ensuring continuous human presence in space.

### Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TMA, a revised version of the Soyuz spacecraft designed for improved safety and performance.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-FG, a reliable rocket used for crewed and uncrewed missions to low Earth orbit.
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Crew Details
- **Gennady Padalka** (Russia): Spacecraft commander and Expedition 9 commander.
- **Michael Fincke** (USA): Flight Engineer 1 and Expedition 9 flight engineer.
- **André Kuipers** (Netherlands): Flight Engineer 2 during ascent; first Dutch astronaut on a long-duration ISS mission.
- **Yuri Shargin** (Russia): Flight Engineer 2 during descent, replacing Kuipers for the return trip.

### Mission Timeline
- **Launch**: April 19, 2004, at 03:19 UTC.
- **Docking with ISS**: April 21, 2004.
- **Undocking**: October 23, 2004.
- **Landing**: October 24, 2004, at 00:36 UTC in Kazakhstan.

### Orbital Parameters
- **Apoapsis**: 252 km above Earth.
- **Periapsis**: 200 km above Earth.
- **Inclination**: 51.64 degrees relative to the equator.
- **Orbital Period**: 88.7 minutes per orbit.

### Scientific and Operational Contributions
- Supported Expedition 9's research activities, including experiments in microgravity, biology, and physics.
- Facilitated maintenance and upgrades to the ISS systems.
- Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft for long-duration missions.

### Legacy
Soyuz TMA-4 reinforced the Soyuz programme's role as a critical component of ISS operations. Its success paved the way for subsequent Soyuz missions, ensuring crew rotation and emergency return capabilities for the ISS. The mission also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, with crew members from multiple nations working together.

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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-4.htm)