Before launching into orbit, the Soyuz TMA-05M rocket received a traditional religious blessing.
In short: In July 2012, three astronauts prepared for a mission to the International Space Station. Before their departure from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, they participated in a unique pre-flight ritual: a Russian Orthodox priest blessed their rocket. This ceremony preceded their final mission approval and a series of pre-launch media events.
On July 15, 2012, the Soyuz TMA-05M mission launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying three crew members to the International Space Station. The crew consisted of Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA flight engineer Sunita Williams, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency flight engineer Aki Hoshide. Their journey was part of the ongoing Expedition 32 and 33 missions, which utilized the Soyuz spacecraft as a primary vehicle for transporting personnel and supplies to the orbiting laboratory.
The days leading up to the launch were marked by both technical and traditional preparations. Two days before liftoff, on July 13, the crew appeared before the Russian State Commission at the Cosmonaut Hotel to receive final mission clearance. During this time, a Russian Orthodox priest performed a traditional blessing on the rocket at the launch pad. This ritual is a long-standing practice at the Baikonur site, highlighting the intersection of modern aerospace engineering and cultural tradition in the Russian space program.
Once aboard the station, the crew members undertook a four-month mission. Sunita Williams served as a flight engineer during Expedition 32 before transitioning to commander of Expedition 33 on September 16, 2012. During her time on the station, she conducted three additional spacewalks, adding more than 21 hours to her existing record for total time spent outside the International Space Station. The mission concluded successfully when the crew returned to Earth on November 19, 2012, following their extensive stay in orbit.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Soyuz TMA-05M Rocket is Blessed; Expedition 32/33 Crew Meets with Officials
- Also: Soyuz TMA-05M | Russian space mission | Britannica
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