Communications:

In spite of the low elevation for the Netherlands the S-TMA-1 could be monitored well on all frequencies.

I just received a message about the incoming Taxi Crew Mission (Odissea).
Message was on the PMS system onboard ISS as a bulletin....

Communications: Voice reports Zalyotin via 121.750mc between 06:13:02UTC and 06:16:00UTC (LOS).

06:13:45 922.754mc and 166.132mc.

06:14:16 TCA 922.755mc

Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202

The fourth taxi flight to the International Space Station carrying a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and two Russian crew members made a perfect lift-off today (Wednesday, 30 October 2002) from the vast open plains of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, into the rising sun at 08:11 local time (04:11 Central European Time, 03:11 Universal Time).

I have just prepared a page with reference regarding the new Soyuz TMA spacecraft, a modification of Soyuz TM spacecraft distinguished for a high reliability and safety of flight for the crew which is proven by all the launches of the spacecraft implemented in the period of years 1986 -2002 for the purposes of servicing orbital stations.
The basic modifications of the Soyuz TM spacecraft are connected with implementation of requirements for enlargement of crew anthropometric parameter range up to the values acceptable for the American astronaut contingent....

Images and reference Here

The arrival to the International Space Station (ISS) of a modernized Russian Soyuz crew return vehicle will be covered live on NASA Television Oct. 31-Nov. 1. The undocking of the currently attached crew-return vehicle will be carried live on Nov. 9.

list rs0iss-1 30-10-2002 on 145.825

Taxi Crew missions are very important to change Soyuz ship every 6 months. Russian Soyuz is the only way to escape the ISS International Space Station in danger case and it is indispensable to have this ship in perfect conditions every time.

For all news, images, Soyuz TMA reference and more, click Here