# Soyuz TMA-M > model of spacecraft used in the Soyuz programme **Wikidata**: [Q14927600](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14927600) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-m ## Summary Soyuz TMA-M is a Russian spacecraft model that served as part of the Soyuz programme, designed to transport crew members to and from the International Space Station. Operating from October 2010 to March 2016, this spacecraft series represented a modernized version of the classic Soyuz design, featuring updated systems and equipment while maintaining the proven reliability that has made Soyuz vehicles the workhorse of human spaceflight since the Soviet era. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Spacecraft model (instance_of: spacecraft model) - **Subclass**: Soyuz series - **Country**: Russia - **Operating Period**: October 7, 2010 – March 18, 2016 - **Total Flights**: At least 20 documented missions (TMA-01M through TMA-20M) - **Sitelink Count**: 4 - **Wikipedia Languages**: Bulgarian, Spanish, Hungarian, Ukrainian - **Wikidata Description**: Model of spacecraft used in the Soyuz programme - **Main Category**: Category:Soyuz TMA-M - **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/12pgcn08l - **Image**: Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft approaching the International Space Station ## FAQs **What was the primary purpose of the Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft?** The Soyuz TMA-M was designed to transport three crew members to and from the International Space Station, serving as the primary crew transportation vehicle for the ISS during its operational period from 2010 to 2016. **How long did the Soyuz TMA-M programme run?** The programme spanned approximately five and a half years, with the first launch (Soyuz TMA-01M) occurring on October 7, 2010, and the final mission (Soyuz TMA-20M) concluding on March 18, 2016. **Which other spacecraft are related to Soyuz TMA-M?** The Soyuz TMA-M is part of the broader Soyuz spacecraft family, which includes numerous variants such as Soyuz TMA-01M through Soyuz TMA-20M, as well as related missions like Soyuz TMA-03M, TMA-04M, TMA-05M, and many others that operated concurrently or in sequence. **What distinguishes Soyuz TMA-M from earlier Soyuz models?** The TMA-M variant represented a modernized version of the Soyuz spacecraft with updated systems and equipment, building upon the legacy of the Soviet-designed Soyuz programme that began decades earlier. **How many languages have Wikipedia articles about Soyuz TMA-M?** Wikipedia articles about Soyuz TMA-M exist in four languages: Bulgarian, Spanish, Hungarian, and Ukrainian. ## Why It Matters The Soyuz TMA-M programme matters because it represented the primary lifeline for human presence on the International Space Station during a critical period of orbital operations. When the Space Shuttle programme ended in 2011, Soyuz vehicles became the sole means of transporting astronauts to and from the ISS, making this spacecraft series absolutely essential to maintaining the continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit that has enabled countless scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and international collaborations. The programme's significance extends beyond mere transportation—it represented the continuation of Russia's role as a crucial partner in international space exploration. The Soyuz TMA-M flights facilitated scientific research across multiple disciplines, from biology and physics to Earth observation and space medicine. Each mission carried not only professional astronauts but also contributed to humanity's broader understanding of long-duration spaceflight and its effects on the human body. Furthermore, the Soyuz TMA-M programme demonstrated the enduring value of proven spacecraft design. While newer vehicles like SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner have since entered the market, the Soyuz programme's reliability—honed over decades of continuous development since the Soviet era—proved invaluable during the gap between the shuttle programme's retirement and the emergence of commercial crew alternatives. ## Notable For - **Primary ISS Crew Transport**: Served as the sole crew transportation vehicle to the ISS from 2011 until 2020 - **Modernized Design**: Represented an updated version of the classic Soyuz spacecraft with modernized systems - **Long Operational Run**: Spanned nearly six years with at least 20 successful missions - **International Collaboration**: Facilitated partnerships between Russia and international space agencies including NASA, ESA, and others - **Proven Reliability**: Maintained an impressive safety record throughout its operational history - **Continuous Human Presence**: Enabled the ongoing occupation of the International Space Station during a critical transition period in spaceflight ## Body ### Historical Context and Development The Soyuz TMA-M emerged from the long lineage of Soyuz spacecraft that began with the Soviet space programme in the 1960s. The Soyuz programme itself represents one of the most successful and enduring spacecraft families in history, with its roots tracing back to the early days of human spaceflight. The TMA-M designation indicated a specific modernization effort within the broader TMA (Transport Modified Anthropometric) series, which itself had evolved from earlier Soyuz variants. The programme officially commenced with the launch of Soyuz TMA-01M on October 7, 2010, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Russian human spaceflight. This mission carried three crew members to the International Space Station, establishing the pattern that would define the next several years of orbital operations. The timing of this programme was particularly significant, as it overlapped with the final years of the Space Shuttle programme and subsequently filled the critical gap left when NASA's crewed launch capability ended in 2011. ### Operational Timeline The Soyuz TMA-M programme operated from October 2010 until March 2016, encompassing a total of at least 20 documented missions. The operational timeline can be roughly divided into several phases, with missions proceeding at a regular cadence that typically saw several crew rotations per year. The early missions included Soyuz TMA-01M in 2010, followed by subsequent flights throughout 2011 and 2012. The programme continued steadily through the mid-2010s, with missions like Soyuz TMA-13M in 2014 representing the peak period of activity. The final mission, Soyuz TMA-20M, concluded on March 18, 2016, bringing the TMA-M series to a close after more than five years of continuous service. ### Mission Fleet The Soyuz TMA-M series comprised numerous individual spacecraft, each designated with a unique mission number. The complete fleet included: **2010-2011 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-01M (2010), Soyuz TMA-02M **2012 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-03M, Soyuz TMA-04M, Soyuz TMA-05M, Soyuz TMA-06M, Soyuz TMA-07M **2013 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-08M, Soyuz TMA-09M, Soyuz TMA-10M **2014 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-11M, Soyuz TMA-12M, Soyuz TMA-13M, Soyuz TMA-14M, Soyuz TMA-15M **2015 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-16M, Soyuz TMA-17M, Soyuz TMA-18M, Soyuz TMA-19M **2016 Missions**: Soyuz TMA-20M Each of these missions transported three crew members to the International Space Station, conducting crew rotation operations that enabled the continuous habitation of the orbital laboratory. The missions varied in duration, with some crew members spending several months aboard the ISS conducting scientific experiments and maintenance activities. ### Technical Characteristics As a member of the Soyuz family, the TMA-M inherited the fundamental design philosophy that has characterized these spacecraft for decades. The vehicle typically consists of three main sections: the orbital module (used for living quarters and docking), the descent module (the crew compartment that returns to Earth), and the service module (containing propulsion, power, and life support systems). The TMA-M variant incorporated modernized systems compared to earlier versions, reflecting decades of incremental improvements and lessons learned from previous missions. These updates ensured the spacecraft remained reliable and capable of meeting the demands of ISS operations while incorporating modern electronics and control systems. ### International Collaboration The Soyuz TMA-M programme exemplified international cooperation in space exploration. While the spacecraft were designed and operated by Russia, they carried astronauts from multiple nations including the United States, Russia, Japan, European Space Agency member states, and other international partners. This diversity of participation highlighted the truly global nature of space exploration and the ISS project in particular. NASA relied heavily on Soyuz vehicles for crew transportation following the retirement of the Space Shuttle, making the TMA-M series critical to American presence aboard the station. This arrangement continued until commercial crew vehicles became operational in the late 2010s and early 2020s. ### Documentation and References Information about the Soyuz TMA-M programme is documented across multiple language editions of Wikipedia, including Bulgarian, Spanish, Hungarian, and Ukrainian versions. The programme is categorized under Category:Soyuz TMA-M, reflecting its position within the broader taxonomy of spaceflight history. The programme's documentation in the Google Knowledge Graph (ID: /g/12pgcn08l) ensures its visibility in search results and knowledge panels, helping the public access accurate information about this significant chapter in spaceflight history. ### Legacy and Succession The conclusion of the Soyuz TMA-M programme in 2016 did not mark the end of Soyuz human spaceflight; rather, it transitioned to newer variants that continued the tradition. The programme's legacy includes the demonstration that proven, reliable spacecraft design can serve as the backbone of human space operations for decades. The TMA-M series demonstrated the value of evolutionary development in spacecraft design—refining and improving a successful design rather than pursuing radical redesigns that might introduce unnecessary risk. This approach has allowed the Soyuz programme to remain the gold standard for crew transportation to low-Earth orbit, even as new competitors enter the market.